Keeping the Hispanic culture alive

Richmond resident Evelia Gonzalez Porto has devoted her life to spreading the Hispanic culture throughout Richmond and advancing the lives of women. In 2003, she founded the Hispanic Women in the Arts and the Hispanic Women in Business.

By Jaclyn O’Laughlin

As a child growing up in Colombia, Evelia Gonzalez Porto remembers being surrounded by strong women artists, music, dance and the theater. Those memories have served as the foundation and purpose of her life’s work, which is focused on spreading the Hispanic culture throughout the Richmond area via the arts, education and the advancement of women.