Left to Right: Cathy Mercado, Rep. Vanna Howard & Patricia Reynoso

A trio of Lowell women were honored yesterday, as part of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus’ 2024 Latino Excellence Awards.

Cathy Mercado, Patricia Reynoso and Diana Santana received their honors at the State House, alongside the members of the Mill City delegation who nominated them and dozens of other recipients from across the Bay State.

Reynoso was nominated by 17th Middlesex State Representative, Vanna Howard (D-Lowell).

She has been employed as a Clerk for the City of Lowell since November of 2023,  after coming over from the City of Lynn.

16th Middlesex State Representative Rodney Elliott (D-Lowell) nominated Mercado, Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership.

In an email to InsideLowell, Elliott cited Mercado’s leadership, community involvement and commitment to housing advocacy, especially for marginalized communities, greatly impacting the City of Lowell and beyond.

1st Middlesex District State Senator Ed Kennedy’s (D-Lowell) nominee Diana Santana is a Specialized Family and Supportive Services Manager at the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for the Emergency Assistance Program.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Santana is a leader within the Latin community, lending her voice to various advocacy opportunities.