Meet Elaine Vasquez Golden Mouse Award Honoree

Meet Golden Mouse Award Recipient for Multicultural & Nonprofit Marketing

Elaine is the owner of Broward’s first bilingual newspaper, El Heraldo de Broward, publishing since 1974 and now the online edition, www.elheraldo.com. She is a seasoned public relations and marketing executive who pioneered the cable television industry in Broward County from 1970 to 1985 having co-owned a company that eventually became Comcast Communciations.

She previously owned a multicultural communications from 1992 -2010, Latin Power, Inc. and presently owns a special events company, We Do Events, Inc. which produces the annual Hispanic Women of Distinction charity luncheon, Fiesta! Fort Lauderdale, Viva Broward! Calendar of Events for Hispanic Heritage Month and over 200 galas, outdoor fairs and festivals, private fundraisers and political activities.   Elaine’s pioneering ventures inspired her to develop a unique set of skills that formed the backbone of her story and still makes an impact on her business and social life today.

Elaine and her late husband Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D., established a $1 million Vasquez Family Foundation with the Community Foundation of Broward to focus on the senior issues in our community and has much joy visiting the facilities she personally selects to be funded. Elaine and her family designates the funding and visits all the organizations which she funds.

She continues her tireless fundraising efforts to provide the only free healthcare facility for the poor and underserved communities in Broward, the Light of the World Clinic.  Founded by Dr. Vasquez in 1989, Elaine has raised more than $2 million, helping more than 500,000 men, women and children receive quality healthcare and medicines for free . The legacy of Dr. Vasquez continues with Elaine’s ongoing involvement with its new dedicated Board of Directors and an annual scholarship in his name.

Elaine’s career led her into two passions that have become an integral part of her life – politics and multicultural understanding. She became politically saavy back in the 1970’s and through her political voluntarism she has been able to influence and provide access and support to a number of minority communities in Broward.  She was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush for 8 years to the Post Secondary Education Commission in Tallahassee where she chaired the Minority Access to Education Committee, the Council for Education, Policy, Research and Information, a state-mandated independent council that among many duties, created the Master Plan for Education K-20 for Florida.  She supports all local candidates from ALL political parties, who embrace the conservative values and commitment to public service she strongly believes.

Elaine has been active on numerous non-profit boards, some of which have included: Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Community Foundation of Broward, March of Dimes, United Way, Broward Sheriff’s Explorers, Boys & Girls Club, Florida Humanities Council, Broward Library Foundation, Broward College Community Board, Communities in Schools, Broward Center for the Homeless, Broward Education Foundation, Governor’s Mansion Foundation, Diversity Committee of Broward County Schools, Girl Scouts of Broward, Meals on Wheels, Foundation for Florida’s Future, First Call for Help,(211 Broward) the Riverwalk Trust and Light of the World Clinic.

Elaine has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout her career including the Leadership Broward Leader of the Year, Lifetime Achievement by Women in Communications, Woman of the Year by American Cancer, Take Stock in Children Co/founder, Spirit of Lincoln Award, Humanitarian Award by Goodwill Industries, and First Lady of Broward

Elaine’s achievements have not rested here. She continues to work to combat stereotypes, empower minorities, mentor young students and educate the public for better access to education, healthcare, business and services.  Her greatest gift and joy of all is – her 3 daughters, 4 granddaughters and grandson – her family is woven into every aspect of her life.