Norwich native is nominee for Cape Verdean woman of the year
By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER
Norwich Bulletin

BOSTON  Quem é a Mulher Caboverdiana do ano? That's what the Web site ForCV.com wants to know: Who do you think is the Cape Verdean Woman of the Year?

 

One of the five choices is a Norwich native Denise Gonsalves who serves as executive director of Cape Verdean Community UNIDO in Boston, a service agency that organizes the Cape Verdean community around self-empowerment and social and economic development.

Alberto Barros Pina, president of the Web site, said the candidates were chosen based on their local and international impact in the Cape Verdean community. He said Gonsalves has done a lot for Cape Verdeans in Boston and abroad this year, especially given the amount of violence that has erupted.

She's been a strong personality with keeping the organization together, Barros said. Many people would be afraid, (but she has) courage to put herself out there to challenge publicly the perpetrators of violence.

Gonsalves is up against singers Lura and Sara Tavares, Cape Verde Defense Minister Cristina Lima and Cape Verdean Association Executive Director Martine Gomes.

Roberta Vincent, who is involved in the Cape Verdean Santiago Society of Norwich, has been working to spread the word about the poll to people she knows.

I'm trying to forward it on to as many people as I can, so they can vote. She deserves the recognition, Vincent said. She's done a lot in promoting the heritage and the culture.

Alfred Gonsalves, a Norwich resident and Denise's father, said she's been dedicated to social work since a very young age.

When she starts something like this, she gives it her all, he said. This job in particular, because it's connected to the Cape Verdean community and that's always been something she wanted to stay close to.