By TimesLedger Staff
Queens takes great pride in its rich ethnic diversity.
People flock here from all over the globe to put down roots, joining other family members who have established a beachhead in one neighborhood or even striking out on their own to start their own community.
The borough president likes to say — actually it’s a boast — that Queens has residents from more than 120 countries who speak over 135 languages. We are known as the “World’s Borough.”
What better way to acknowledge the invaluable contributions these immigrants have made to Queens than to honor 25 of them for their vision, perseverance and willingness to share their unique cultures with all of us.
Our honorees hail from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. One is a highly celebrated framer in Long Island City, another is an exiled newspaper editor who is helping immigrants adjust to New York life, and still another is a violinist who runs the Children’s Orchestra Society her father founded.
These newcomers have already left an indelible mark on Queens, achieving success despite some major obstacles along the way. At the same time, they have never forgotten their roots and are committed to giving back to the communities where they now live.
It is a gift to have them living and working among us in the most diverse county in the United States — and probably the world.
