Betsy Fernández, born July 13, 1966, in the Republic of Panamá, graduated from Commercial Institute of Panamá. She emigrated to the United States in the 80s years ago and studied accounting. Since arriving to the United States, Betsy always missed her beloved country and culture. As a result, she partcipated in many internatonal fairs making Panamanian food and decorations.

In 1998, she atended the Hispanic Day Parade and was struck by the fact that there was a Panamanian delegation. She and her daughter were dressed in typical Panamanian costumes. The Panamanian delegation noiced Betsy and her daughter, and invited them to join the delegation. Since then, each year Betsy has participated in the Hispanic Parade. In 2015, Sociedad Molas de Panamá selected her daughter as Queen. Betsy suggested that Sociedad Molas de Panamá put into place a carnival theme for its float with decorations and costumes. That year, the Panamanian delegation placed first in the Hispanic Day Parade.

 

 

 

 

In 2016, her daughter got a second chance to participate as Queen. During that year, motifs based on Congo tradition were added.

In 2017, Sociedad Molas de Panamá invited her to be part of the board as the Vice President, giving her the opportunity to bring from Panamá, Carlos Vargas - the renowned designer of the Tablas. Mr. Vargas became a board member. In that same year, Panamá won first prize in the Hispanic Day Parade.

In December 2019, Betsy was elected as President of La Sociedad Molas de Panamá. The Hispanic Day Parade was canceled due to the Pandemic, but returned in 2022 with all the luxury and splendor of the prior parades. Once again, the Panamanian delegation won first prize at the Hispanic Day Parade.

Each year, the board and volunteers of Sociedad Molas de Panamá work tirelessly to create the best float and maintain its position on 5th Avenue in New York City. Sociedad Molas de Panamá, a non-profit organization, thanks its sponsors, Queens and other Panamanians, who do their part to proudly represent their beautiful country - Panamá Special thanks to the Founder Hilda Diez, who represented the organization for more than 50 years, and her daughter América Maldonado for continuing in her mother’s legacy.