2012 Women of Distinction: Honoring Women in New York: Dilletta Pina

Bronx, NY - Senator Gustavo Rivera (D, WF-Bronx) yesterday honored Community Board 7 Board Member and community leader, Dilletta Pina, with a Woman of Distinction Award. Every year, each Senator chooses one individual to honor for their service to the community.

Dilletta Pina's Bio is below:

Dilletta Pina is an accomplished woman of incredible strength, as well as the mother of three beautiful children, grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of three. Born in the Dominican Republic, Dilletta moved to the United States with her mother when she was seven years old. During the years that followed, Dilletta traveled between the Dominican Republic and the United States, receiving a multi-cultural education. From 1961 - 1963, she studied at St. Anthony's Orphanage in North Arlington, New Jersey. Dilletta has an Associate's Degree in Accounting from Bronx Community College and a Bachelor's of Science in Accounting from Lehman College where she received the Kissell Award for Excellence.

As a young girl, Dilletta was in Santo Domingo when Hurricane Flora hit the Dominican Republic. Although Dilletta  was only fourteen, she joined a group of Santo Domingo University students who organized a mission to help those in the southern part of the country, where the hurricane caused the most devastation. During this trip, Dilletta stayed awake for three days, delivering water, food, blankets and clothing to those who had lost their homes and possessions and had taken refuge in the local public school. She selflessly devoted all her strength and efforts toward the comfort of the victims, alleviating as much suffering as possible. This experience shaped Dilletta's future. She realized that her calling was in serving the less fortunate and decided to dedicate her life's work to community outreach both in the Dominican Republic and the United States.

In 1980, Dilletta became a naturalized citizen of the United States and immediately registered to vote. She has spent her life working to promote civic participation, including organizing voter registration drivers. From 1997 to 2005, Dilletta was an SEIU 1199 delegate and a member of the 1199 Executive Council. Dilletta also serves as a Community Tax Aid as a volunteer, assisting low-income families and individuals to prepare and file their taxes free of charge. 

Dilletta is a member of Community Board 7 and Chairperson of the Health Committee in addition to belonging to the Ben Franklin Democratic Club. In 2011, Dilletta participated in the Bronx CAN Health Challenge, committing to leading a healthy life style and contributing to the health and well being of our community.