A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND ROSA MARCELA RABENS OF CHARLESTON FOR HER DEDICATED COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives recognizes those who have worked to improve quality of life in their communities. Rosa Marcela Rabens of Charleston has earned the respect of the people of Charleston for her committed community service; and

Whereas, born in Peru, Marcela Rabens worked in that country for the National News Department of Panamericana Televisi n (Peru). In addition, she dedicated part of her time to social work by joining other groups. Ms. Rabens served as director of the Department of Culture in a town in central Peru and helped promote cultural activities and events in her local community. She studied communications, sales, and marketing; and

Whereas, in 2002, Marcela Rabens arrived in Charleston like many other immigrants with many hopes and dreams. After working as a housecleaner and learning English, she created the first local newspaper written in Spanish, Universal Latin News Charleston, with the purpose of serving, informing, educating, guiding, and keeping in communication the entire Hispanic community of Charleston and its surroundings. She also hoped to create a bridge between the Hispanic community and other communities. Later in 2015, due to the need of the local Hispanic community to find information about community resources, she created the Charleston Latina Guide, a free local Hispanic directory containing information on resources available to the communities. At the beginning of 2023, she began hosting a radio show, Ritmo Latino on OHM Radio 96.3 FM, on which she featured Hispanic music, culture, and artists, as well as interviews with Latino singers, songwriters, and notable Hispanics; and

Whereas, moreover, she served on the Trident United Way Board, Trident Literacy Association, and College of Charleston Diversity Board and Hispanic Study Advisory Board. Marcela Rabens is currently serving on the Trident United Way Steering Committee, is a member of the Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition, and serves as director of the Digital News Production of Universal Latin News; and

Whereas, she has not gone unappreciated. In 2022, Ms. Rabens received the Founder's Award from the Trident Literacy Association. Further, she was selected as a member of the Diversity Leaders Initiative's 17th Lowcountry Class, hosted by the Riley Institute at Furman University; and

Whereas, Marcela Rabens finds strength for her many activities in the strong support of her husband, Christian Rabens, a native of Charleston; and

Whereas, the House extends grateful thanks to Marcela Rabens for the community service she has so freely contributed to the people of South Carolina, most particularly those of the Charleston area. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend Rosa Marcela Rabens of Charleston for her dedicated community service and wish her continued happiness and success in the years ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Marcela Rabens.

----XX----