This is the story of Virginia Perez Mendez Beauchamp daughter of Virginia Mendez and Moises Perez. It's also about a Puerto Rican family' pioneering efforts to contribute and become part of this country Which most Puerto Ricans call the main land. When Virginia and Moises came to this country almost 70 years ago there were few Puerto Ricans, few Latin's as a matter of fact. And like all other immigrants their struggle was great, not just in making a living but learning a whole new language and culture. Although Puerto Ricans have their own country, they have a special status that other Latin's or ethnic groups do not have, (Unlike other immigrants they don't need a green card) they are American citizens. A fact other Americans are not to familiar with, Even after all these years. This status has been a blessing and a detriment. (But that's another story) Virginia Perez Mendez became the first Princess of the first Puerto Rican Day annual parade ever in the good old U.S.A, And though that may sound like something trivial and you may think so what? When you study the struggle the Puerto Ricans have had in this country for any kind of recognition besides, drug addiction and welfare you'll see the meaningfulness of that event. It takes a long time to become a respected member of the main stream and many are the indignities people are subjected to before they get there, As the Irish and Italians can attest to. And usually the first steps are not political, but social. It's like advertisement; you gotta get the product out there and recognized before anyone shows interest in it. That's what makes this event important. It opened doors for other Puerto Ricans and Latins to cooperated, participate and make themselves known in the community, it gave them a sense of belonging and hope for a bright future for their offspring's. After this there were many other events, much participation and it was not all social either, the stirrings of a political and community minded conscious was born. A struggle that though slow very slow has continued until now. We own a debt of gratitude to those pioneers who through whatever way they could, helped to make the path smoother for the rest of us. Puerto Ricans fought in all the wars, done all kinds of jobs. Paid their taxes, Contributed to the Arts (Pablo Casal, Geraldo Rivera, Rita Moreno, Raul Julia, Jimmy Smits, Freddie Prinz, Chita Rivera, Jose ferrer, Jennifer Lopez, Sammy Davis Jr., Richard Pryor, Ricky Martin just to name a few. A Surgeon general to the U.S.A was Puerto Rican We have had generals, CEO, Lawyers, Politicians were in all fields and still the road is paved with tremendous obstacles, Puerto Ricans are no different that the rest of society there is good and bad in all of us But it is time to stop focusing so much on the bad and see this group of people for What they really are. Hard working, respectable, loving and decent people. Which is why that small step for that group of people became a big step for the rest of us. Today Virginia is the mother of three lovely daughters a business Executive, a Lawyer and a lovely college student who graduates this year. She herself is a world traveler, and CEO of her own thriving company. Thank you Princess Virginia Perez Mendez Beauchamp for taking those first steps. Now when I see all the annual parades in all the different states. It fills me with pride to know that the Mendez Clan took the first steps.