AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF MANA’S CHAPTER IN ORANGE COUNTY, HERLINDA PEREZ SULLIVAN SET THE STAGE FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOWED. HER VISION OF AN ORGANIZATION PROVIDING RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP TO ALL LATINA WOMEN WAS HER PASSION.
 

SHE WAS ALWAYS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS WITH HER ENGAGING CHARM, READY SMILE AND WIT. SHE WAS THE LIVING EXAMPLE OF POSITIVE THINKING, THROUGH AND THROUGH. SHE WAS ALSO THE QUINTESSENTIAL MOTHER TO ALL, ALWAYS OFFERING ENCOURAGEMENT, SUPPORT IN VARIOUS FORMS, WHETHER IT BE SHELTER, HER TIME OR MONEY, ALWAYS WITH A SMILE.
 

I FIRST SAW HER AT A LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE BACK IN 1989. AS SHE WALKED ACROSS THE STAGE TO PRESENT HER MOTIVATIONAL MESSAGE TO THE AUDIENCE, I WAS STRUCK BY THE WAY SHE TOOK TO THE STAGE. SHE SEEMED EAGER TO START HER MESSAGE. THAT IS ONE SELF CONFIDENT LADY, I THOUGHT, AND AS SHE SPOKE, IT WAS CLEAR INDEED SHE WAS.
 

SHE SHARED BOTH HER LIFE AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE WITH THE THEME “SI SE PUEDE.”
SHE HAD THE MOST AGREEABLE PERSONALITY, LOVED PEOPLE, SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE’S NEEDS, LOVED A PARTY, READY TO DANCE ON A DIME, WOULD HIRE MARIACHIS TO SPIKE THINGS UP.
 

WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS VERY ILL IN THE HOSPITAL, SHE STAYED IN CLOSE TOUCH, SHOWING UP IN THE INTENSIVE CARE FLOOR. WHEN I ASKED HER HOW SHE MANAGED TO GET IN, SHE JUST SAID, “I TOLD THEM WE WERE COUSINS.” WE BECAME COUSINS THEN AND JOKED ABOUT IT MANY TIMES.
DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME IN MY LIFE, SHE LOOKED AFTER ME LIKE A MOTHER, SHE WORRIED I WAS NOT EATING OR RESTING AS I SHOULD, SO OF COURSE SHE TRIED TO CORRECT THAT.
 

DURING HER LONG ILLNESS, SHE NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT HER PAIN, HER WIT AND HER SMILE WAS STILL A BIG PART OF HER, SHE WASN’T GIVING UP.
WE ARE SO FORTUNATE AND RICHER FOR HAVING KNOWN HER. WE’LL MISS HER.

Eva Lombardo

HERLINDA PEREZ SULLIVAN
A WOMAN FOR THE SEASONS…
a peaceful woman
a patient woman
a growing woman
a changing woman
a perceptive woman
a sensitive woman
a loyal woman
a visionary woman
a courageous woman
a singing woman
a poetic woman
a spiritual woman
a warrior woman
a trail blazing woman
a caring woman
a dynamic woman
a loving woman
a MANA woman
Look around you…Look around you…
When will we walk side by side? …When will we walk side by side?
Frances Rios

A Tribute to Herlinda (Linda) Perez Sullivan
Herlinda (Linda) Perez Sullivan was a proactive and extraordinary woman. Linda empowered women to reach beyond our potential. Her dedication and enthusiasm in the MANA organization and her steadfast support for causes she believed in made her a force to be dealt with. She embodied a zest for life, music, songs, and poetry. On many occasions Linda guided, supported, and motivated individuals to challenge and conquer what, at times, seemed to be impossible dreams or situations. Also, she compassionately reassured and provided comfort to others in their time of need. There is no doubt that Linda made a significant difference through her ongoing community, personal, and professional endeavors. She most definitely touched the lives of many people. Linda's phenomenal legacy is marked by selfless involvement and commitment to causes she embraced, and in the end, she made this world a better place. It is that commitment that is truly inspirational. Linda is a gift to all who knew her, and she lives in our hearts forever.
Maria Cross
 

"There is no other person like Herlinda, She personified MANA and our mission. Her love for the community and the culture was unmatched.

Herlinda always rearranged her schedule, even at the last minute, to represent MANA at community events. While other women were concerned about carrying the most stylish purse, she always carried a large tote bag with the MANA logo to promote the cause."                     Nellie Kaniski, Executive Director

I had the honor of initially meeting Herlinda when my sister and I joined MANA several years ago. Immediately I took a liking to this woman. I could instantly felt a connection and was drawn to her energy, charisma, and charm. She made the newcomers and established members MANA so welcomed and truly showed a genuine desire to make MANA a better organization. She worked tirelessly to increase the membership, worked closely with new and old members to get involved with the different programs the organization had to offer, and would never miss an opportunity to recruit possible new members every chance she could.

She was such a advocate for MANA and wanted it to grow and become successful (I believe) because she believed so strongly that Mexican-American women needed a forum to demonstrate to others just how strong, intelligent, imaginative, innovative, motivated, positive role models capable of making positive changes and differences within our community and others peoples' lives i.e. Hermanites program, Cancer Screening Clinic, etc. She was all about advancing the cause thru the organization of MANA. In addition, we also had some very enjoyable, fun times while members of MANA. She loved to sing, dance and just have a great time and again encouraged everyone to join in and have fun.

I'm very sorry I didn't meet this woman sooner in my life. She was in every sense of the word "ahead of her time". She achieved so much in times especially when woman were not suppose to do some of the things she did. She will be missed but never forgotten by me.
In very fond memory of a great woman,
Elvia Espinoza

My memories of Herlinda Sullivan are that of the vibrant MANA leader, who besides being an excellent officer was a beautiful person with a friendly, happy, outgoing personality who attracted members to MANA.  Herlinda until she became ill was also a member of AAUW  (American Association of University Women)  Orange Branch.

Sara Murrieta

My memory of Herlinda was that she was an elegant, intelligent, professional and wonderful role model to so many Latinas! I remember going to UCI in the early 80's for a luncheon with MANA members and each person stood up to discuss their role model. Almost every woman said it was their mother that had inspired them. She was a mother to so many and was a wonderful mother to her children. 

Yvonne Gonzalez Duncan