As I close this GoFundMe, I do so with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for your donations, your generosity and kindness helped lighten an incredibly heavy burden during one of the hardest moments of my life. As many of us know, the cost of staying in New York City can be overwhelming, and your support made it possible for me to be very close to my mother and family when we needed each other most.

This GoFundMe was erroneously linked to the foundation I am in the process of creating to continue my mother’s legacy of building community and championing for social justice; however, since my mother’s passing I’ve been navigating a season of profound grief.

Mentally and physically, it’s been difficult for me to keep up with many things, but in my moments of grief-plateau I have come up with a preliminary mission and vision statements for organization that will help embody my mother’s life in addition to her time as a Young Lord, her work with the Women’s Coalition Red Carpet for Social Justice.

This project will address the disparities in health care that she witnessed and experienced as a Latina, her work with NYSNA, and during her personal fight against ovarian cancer.

Please note: at this time we are not at a fundraising stage yet. For those interested in supporting this cause (in any manner), I will communicate once we are at that stage in planning.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and grace during this time.

Sincerely

Taina

For the mission and vision statements, please see below:

The Minerva Solla Foundation is committed to supporting Latinas and other underserved women facing ovarian cancer by advocating for healthcare equity, financial assistance, patient navigation, emotional support, and access to lifesaving resources.

Mission: to stand beside women to allow them to focus on healing by providing advocacy in addition to financial, personal care, and emotional support, so that no woman will face cancer alone.

Vision: Every woman deserves the chance to fight cancer with dignity, hope, and the support she needs without the added burden of financial hardship.

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*****As of April 15th, Minerva transitioned surrounded by her closest loved ones. Her husband, sisters, children, and grandchildren spent her final days caring for her. The family will be sharing details regarding her arrangements soon. All funds raised will support immediate family needs during this difficult time, with any remaining funds dedicated to honoring her legacy through the Minerva Solla Foundation.*****

On March 27th, our mentor, elder, and movement leader Minerva Solla hosted her beloved Red Carpet for Social Justice event bringing together community leaders, advocates, and public officials, including New York State Attorney General Letitia James. It was a powerful celebration of her lifelong commitment to justice.

Shortly after that event, Minerva was rushed to NYU Hospital as her long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer rapidly progressed. Today, she is in hospice care.

Minerva has spent decades fighting for others. Now, we are asking our community to show up for her.

A proud Puerto Rican leader and lifelong organizer, Minerva’s impact spans generations. At just 15 years old, she was introduced to the power of labor organizing, and by 1972, she helped lead a historic 47-day strike at Roosevelt Hospital that secured union representation through 1199SEIU. That moment sparked a lifetime of leadership in the labor movement.

She went on to help build one of the most influential unions in the nation, organizing workers across New York City and the Hudson Valley. She founded the 1199 Latinos Unidos Committee to uplift Latino voices, led cultural and political advocacy efforts across New York State, and coordinated humanitarian medical missions in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Even in retirement, Minerva never slowed down. Through her work with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), she continued to lead political action campaigns and helped advance landmark legislation like Paid Family Leave and the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act.

She is a Young Lord, a mentor, a cultural leader, and a tireless advocate for dignity, healthcare, immigrants and workers’ rights. She has poured into so many of us.

Now, her family needs support.

Minerva’s transition to hospice care has required her children and grandchildren to travel back and forth to New York to be by her side, while also ensuring her husband and household are cared for during this time. These unexpected and urgent needs come with significant financial strain.

We are raising funds to support:

Any contribution big or small will help ease the burden on her family so they can focus on what matters most: being together, honoring Minerva’s life, and surrounding her with love.

If you are unable to give, please consider sharing this page with your networks.

Minerva has spent her life fighting for justice, community, and care. Let’s show up for her and her family at this moment.

Watch The Moment of Presence by Minerva Solla HERE

In community,

Carlene Pinto, @CarlenePinto

My name is Carlene Pinto, a lifelong activist and deeply grateful mentee of Minerva. Many of you may know me from her annual women’s retreat, or the many rallies and actions for social justice she invited me to. I also had the honor of MC’ing the Red Carpet for Social Justice Coalition event a few years ago—one of the many spaces she created to uplift our community. Today I write to you as a friend of Taina, her eldest Daughter and someone who knows the power of community and has answered many calls from the community asking what can be done during this difficult time.