TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa grieves the passing of Margarita Gonzalez, the city’s inaugural Hispanic community liaison.

Gonzalez was the visionary behind the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association (HPWA). 

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa grieves the passing of Margarita Gonzalez, the city’s inaugural Hispanic community liaison

  • Gonzalez was the visionary behind the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association (HPWA) and wore many hats as Tampa’s first Hispanic liaison, hosted a Spanish-language program called “Nuestra Tampa,” and was named “Hispanic Woman of the Year” by Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc.

  •  Some members of HPWA reflect on the impact Gonzalez had on the community

  • Donations are being accepted for the HPWA’s scholarship named in Margarita Gonzalez’s honor

The organization raised over $100,000 in scholarship for educational support. Members of HPWA reflected on Gonzalez’s enduring impact.

Margarita Gonzalez and her family migrated from Cuba to Tampa in the 1960s, and she was determined to make a difference in her new home.

Pursuing higher education was one of her life’s dreams, which she accomplished, earning an Associate’s degree from Hillsborough Community College and then a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.

“Hispanic Woman of the Year” Catalina Botero connected with Gonzalez through the HPWA, which she founded 40 years ago. The organization raises funds for women to continue their education.

“(Margarita) always knew that an educated woman was going to be able to succeed,” said Botero. “She was truly a mentor. When you’re here alone the way that I am — my mom is away — you kind of found a place of belonging, and that’s what we did through the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association.”

In 1989, Gonzalez was named “Hispanic Woman of the Year” by Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. She played a key role in Tampa’s annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

Gonzalez continued to wear many hats during her 30 years as Tampa’s first Hispanic liaison.

She also launched the city’s first Hispanic heritage committee.

Gonzalez hosted an award-winning Spanish-language program for the city, called “Nuestra Tampa.” And when Spectrum Bay News 9 launched its own Spanish-language news channel, she served as a consultant.

Maribel Garrett stepped into Gonzalez’s former role as the city of Tampa’s Hispanic liaison. The two were friends for more than 30 years.

“She would say, ‘I have three things going against me: I am a woman, I am Hispanic, and I am short,’ and she would giggle, but that was the way she saw herself. She didn’t let that stop her. She was a pioneer,” said Garrett, Tampa’s Community Engagement Coordinator and Hispanic liaison.

Many of the programs she launched, including the mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Committee, have touched the lives of many in the Hispanic community and beyond.

“We have certainly lost an icon our community,” said Garrett.

Botero said Gonzalez lived an inspiring life dedicated to public service.

“One of the things she taught us was to turn around and help somebody else, and that was a lesson that we need to continue in her name,” she said.

As a community leader, mentor and sister, Gonzalez leaves behind a rich and loving Tampeño legacy.

Donations are being accepted for the HPWA’s scholarship named in Margarita Gonzalez’s honor. To make a donation, visit USF's website and search for "The Margarita Gonzalez HPWA Endowed Latino Scholarship," or by the number ID, #666087.