The National Conference of Puerto Rican Women Milwaukee Chapter Aims to Uplift All Women

The National Conference of Puerto Rican Women (NACOPRW) Milwaukee Chapter’s main goals are to provide young women of Puerto Rican descent with scholarships and uplift all women, regardless of ethnicity.

NACOPRW’s Milwaukee chapter is a group that meets on Microsoft Teams once every month, on the second Thursday. According to Secretary Jennifer Lamb, the group aims to educate the community on Puerto Rican culture by sharing their personal experiences.

The group gives two to three scholarships out in a year. The scholarship can be awarded to any woman of Puerto Rican descent ranging from high school students accepted into a higher-level institution to graduate students. 

Currently, there are three $500 scholarships available. Eligible applicants are required to write a 500-word essay, show proof of acceptance, submit an unofficial transcript, reference letter and like and follow the organization’s Facebook page.

Throughout the year, NACOPRW hosts events and activities to raise funds for these scholarships. However, the past two years have been a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“In the past, we have done Noche Bohemia, where we have live music,” said Vice President Tatianna Rosa-Bennet.“It’s a celebration of the arts and Puerto Rican culture. You will see music, culture and local artists being displayed, whether it’s a singer or a poet, things of that sort.”

According to Lamb, the key components of Puerto Rican culture to her are familia, music and food. 

“When you visit the island, they are going to be so friendly and willing to share about their experiences and culture and the food,” said Lamb. “The food, the food, the food.”

The ladies at NACOPRW have used the culture’s love for food as a selling point for fundraising by doing cooking classes and selling Puerto Rican favorites such as pasteles. 

Pasteles, described by Delegate Rita Viruet, are similar to tamales. They are slightly bigger than the traditional Mesoamerican dish and are made with green bananas. 

“We have meat inside of it, some put a couple of cubes of potato,” said Viruet. “Then, we boil it and wrap it up in a banana leaf and we eat it. It’s really good.”

The dish can be served with white rice or arroz con gandules, and there is a lasting discussion in the community if the dish should be served with ketchup or not. 

“I prefer ketchup,” said Rosa-Bennet.

“I do not,” Viruet responded with a laugh. 

While there may be some disagreement on the inclusion of the tomato-based condiment in their dish, the ladies of NACOPRW want to make it clear that their culture finds importance in lifting up other women. 

“I feel with my experience here in Milwaukee is that people think that within our culture we don’t support each other,” said Lamb. “That’s a huge misconception. This group here supports each other. We are willing to support other ethnicities and other cultures as well.”

While the group consists mostly of Puerto Rican women, they also have a handful of associate members that are not of Puerto Rican descent. 

“We encourage any women to join our group,” said Viruet. “I’ve been in this group for some time now. I have only heard everybody here empower each other. If you have your own business, we empower you as a woman and promote you and advocate for you.”

To join NACOPRW Milwaukee Chapter, you can reach out to the group on their Facebook page. Here, you can also see the events that the group will be attending or hosting. At these events, there will be business cards, flyers, t-shirts and applications.