Yammilette Rodríguez honored with 2023 Ohtlí Award from the Consulate of México in Fresno

People mention Yammilette Rodríguez as extraourdinary - a woman with commitment and passion that has left an unforgettable mark in her community.

That was why Rodríguez was recognized with the 2023 Ohtlí Award on Dec. 8 from the Consulate of México in Fresno during a ceremony held at Fresno City College.

“It’s a great honor. Everything I have done in my life is because of the sacrifices my family made for me,” said Rodríguez, who has more than 20 years of experience in policy advocacy and higher education.

The Ohtlí is awarded by the Mexican government through the Institute of Mexican Abroad, to individuals who devote their work to the advancement of the Mexican community.

The Nahuatl word ‘Ohtli’ means road or path, and the award honors those who have paved a path for fellow Mexicans.

“As we said that the name (Ohtli) means path. The story of my path begins with my parents,” said Rodríguez.

In her speech, Rodríguez honored the humble beginnings of her immigrant parents from México who, as role models, instilled in their children to not only give back to their community but to love their community.

Head Consul Adriana González presented the award to Rodríguez, senior director of the Central Valley Youth Leadership Institute, who through her professional work has supported youth to obtain better life opportunities.

“I always believe that sharing knowlege and skills is a nobel and generous act and that is what Yammi has done all these years througth the Youth Leadership Institute and from all her roles,” said González.

“Tonight I want to express México’s gratitude for your work, your commitment to support Latino youth, mostly Mexican origin,” González added. “Thanks to your support they have been able to obtain new skills that would allow them to reach their dreams. You have walked with them a path which was directed to their goals.”

González said that thanks to Rodríguez, “hundreds of Latinos in the Central Valley of California were able to complete their university because of the training they received from you.”

Rodríguez said working with youth is not only a privilege but a calling to work with young people.

She said every opportunity that has come her way is because “it’s my duty to serve others,” Rodríiguez said. “I do it because I know it is my charge that we need to help one another.”

As senior director, Rodríguez strengthened the youth development program in Fresno and expanded it into California’s Central Valley. Some of YLI’s youth-led projects have focused on preventing underage drinking, healthy eating, and providing access to parks.

In 2021, Rodríguez was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the California State University Board of Trustees.

Nationally, Rodríguez trains organizations on how to create strong partnerships between youth and adults.

She has also been regional director for the Latino Issues Forum (2008-09), and governmental relations consultant at PG&E (2007-08).

Rodríguez was a district representative for Assemblymember Sarah Reyes (1999-2001), and was director of admissions at Fresno Pacific University (2001-07).

She is a board member at the Vesper Society, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality advisory board, and the Central Valley Latino Leaders Academy.

Rodríguez earned a master of arts degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Fresno Pacific University and her doctorate in public administration from West Chester Universtiy of Pennsylvania.

Rodriguez challenge other to when they work with young people to “open the door for them” to create space for youth at a decision making table.

“It is not the norm for some of our decision-making tables to pull the chair for our youth,” Rodríguez said. “I asked you to do that because somebody did it for me. And look at where I am now because of that someone saw leadership in me.”

Besides Rodríguez, the Ohtlí award has been given to: Dolores Huerta, (1998), late Judge Armando Rodríguez, (2002); Teresa de la Rosa (2006); late Betty Rodríguez (2009); Luz Elava Gonzalez (2010); Dr. Joseph Castro (2016), Lupita Lomelí (2017); Raúl Moreno (2018), Teresa Romero (2019), Margarita Rocha (2020), Dr. Joaquín Arámbula, (2021) and Emilia Reyes (2022).

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Distinguished Mexicans Award, which was created in 2018, to recognize Mexicans abroad who have an outstanding career which raises the name of México.

This year the Consulate of México in Fresno presented the award to Juan Esparza Loera, editor of Vida en el Valle, for his work cronicling the stories of not only mexican in the Central Valley but Latinos capturing with his lens important and relevant events in the community.

Besides Esparza Loera, the award has been given to : Saúl Jiménez Sandoval (2021), Fresno State president and Hugo Morales (2022), Radio Bilingüe cofounder and director.