Alice Cardona

NYSABE honors the life and legacy of Alice Cardona, an eternal friend, a courageous activist, and a visionary whose work transformed dreams into reality for countless individuals. Her dedication to advocacy, education, and community empowerment enriched our organization and the broader bilingual education movement. We were privileged to have her serve NYSABE as Secretary of the Executive Board from 1983 to 1984 and as the Region II New York City Delegate from 1983 to 1986. In 1989, we proudly recognized her steadfast commitment with the NYSABE Advocacy Award. May we continue to honor Alice’s memory through our own exemplary work and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve.

Alice Cardona, a proud Puerto Rican woman and tireless advocate for bilingual education and women’s rights, passed away on November 1, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on March 17, 1930, she was the eldest of nine children raised in Spanish Harlem—“El Barrio”—where her early volunteer experiences deepened her understanding of the social, economic, and educational inequities faced by Black and Latino communities in New York City.

Her professional life reflected a profound dedication to community uplift. After working with United Bronx Parents and contributing to New York’s first Head Start programs, she served at ASPIRA as both a youth counselor and the director of a parent‑student counseling program. Her time at ASPIRA inspired her return to higher education, earning her bachelor’s degree from Goddard College in 1973. During these years, she was also a devoted member of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women (NACOPRW) and later joined its national board, helping shape both local and national initiatives. She also co‑founded HACER/Hispanic Women’s Center, supporting Latinas in pursuing professional and educational advancement.

Alice’s leadership extended into state government, where she served as Assistant Director of the New York State Division for Women during the administration of Governor Mario Cuomo. In this role, she advanced initiatives supporting bilingual education, incarcerated women, and efforts addressing HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and domestic violence. Even after her retirement in 1995, she remained deeply involved in civic life as a member or founder of more than a dozen community and political organizations. Her influence reached international audiences when she was selected to represent the United States at the “Vital Voices of Women in Democracy” conference in Beijing in 1997. Alice was also the author of Puerto Rican Women Achievers in New York City and was the first Latina recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Prize, an honor she received in 1983.

Throughout her life, Alice Cardona exemplified courage, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of education and community advocacy. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she uplifted, the institutions she strengthened, and the pathways she created for future generations. Her beloved sister, Diana, is honoring her final wishes for cremation.

NYSABE stands in profound gratitude for Alice’s extraordinary contributions. Her memory will continue to inspire, guide, and illuminate our collective journey toward justice, equity, and opportunity for all.