BY BROOKE SMITH
The first Latina president of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association has been named the recipient of the Queens District Attorney’s 2015 Hispanic Heritage Award.
Lourdes M. Ventura earned the award for her dedication to the Queens community as well as her outstanding accomplishments and tireless leadership.
“It is truly a pleasure and an honor to pay tribute to Lourdes M. Ventura. A talented and skilled lawyer, she started her professional career in my office as an assistant district attorney,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown in an announcement Friday. “Ms. Ventura is a trailblazer who received a master’s in social work and a law degree at the same time. Throughout her career she has used her knowledge in both fields to assist others while also paving new paths for Latinos and women alike.”
Born in Corona as the daughter of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Ventura struggled in school at a young age. Although she was born in New York City, she did not speak English. Ventura saw the obligation she had as the oldest of three children to translate English for her mother. This turned into a desire to be the one that her family could depend upon, according to Ventura.
Ventura began a career of investigating and prosecuting drug cases, economic fraud and various street crimes. She then went on to join the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office where she was able to prosecute cases involving discrimination in housing, education, and other areas.
Earlier this year, she became the first Hispanic president of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association in its 84-year history. She is currently a senior associate at Ahmuty, Demers and McManus and continues to involve herself in numerous civic and professional organizations.
