Rose Rosales, Educational Specialist in the San Antonio College Women's Center, is one of 25 women across the country selected to receive the 25 Women of Triumph Award from the Governing Board of Women Work!, a national organization dedicated to helping women achieve economic self-sufficiency through job readiness, education, training and employment.

The recognition is part of the organization's 25th Anniversary celebration, with the awards presented during the Women Work! 2004 National Conference, February 18-20 in Washington, DC. Dr. Helen Vera, Coordinator of the SAC Women's Center, nominated Rosales for the award.

"This award recognizes women who have successfully overcome challenges and achieved economic independence," said Jill Miller, Women Work! Executive Director.

Rosales dropped out of school in the eighth grade to help her family harvest crops in South Texas, working in the fields from the ages of 8-19. Seeking a better life, in 1976 she enrolled in a clerical training program, which led to a GED and then work as a secretary. She enrolled at San Antonio College in 1987 at age 32.

When she encountered academic difficulties, Rosales sought and found help and encouragement from the SAC Women's Center. In 1990, she received the GOAL (Go On and Learn) Scholarship from the Center, and in 1991 she received an Associate of Arts degree from San Antonio College. She transferred to the University of the Incarnate Word, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management in 1995 and a Master of Arts in Organizational Development in 2001.

In 2001, she was employed by Dr. Vera to work in the SAC Women's Center, where she is now an Educational Specialist assisting students in the Connections Program.

"She is truly a role model for women in transition as she assists program participants not only to develop self-sufficiency skills but to dream the dreams that she thought were never possible for herself," said Vera, who added, "She is determined to give back to others what she once received, which made such a tremendous difference in her life."

For more information about the SAC Women's Center, call Dr. Helen Vera, Coordinator, at 733-2299. For information about Women Work! call 202-467-6346 or check http://www.womenwork.org.