Rita Moreno Receives Custom Bennett Award from Ballet Hispanico

Legendary actress Rita Moreno recently received a custom lifetime achievement award created by Bennett Awards. Moreno was presented with the Toda Una Vida Lifetime Achievement Award by Ballet Hispanico, America’s premier Latino dance organization.

Moreno is an EGOT winner, having won all four of the most prestigious awards in show business: the Oscar, the Tony, two Emmys, and a Grammy. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, and the National Medal of Arts by President Obama in 2010. In 2015, Moreno received a Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions to American Culture, and in 2014 she received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

Moreno was presented with the award by actress Gina Rodriguez at Ballet Hispanico’s annual Carnival Gala, held May 15, 2017 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

At the same event, Ballet Hispanico also presented a custom Bennett Award to Ecuadorian-American Pinnacle Group Chairman and CEO Nina Vaca, who received the Nuestra Inspiración Award. Vaca is known around the world as a devoted entrepreneur, philanthropist, and champion for women and minorities in business. In 1996 she founded Pinnacle Group, and has grown it into one of the largest companies in its field and one of the fastest-growing women-owned businesses in the country. Ernst & Young honored her with its coveted Entrepreneur of the Year Award and elected her to its Hall of Fame. Vaca also currently serves on the board of directors of Comerica Inc., Kohl's Corporation, and Cinemark Holdings.

Vaca was presented with the custom award by Ralph de la Vega, the former Vice Chairman of AT&T Inc. and CEO of Business Solutions & International,

For these awards, Ballet Hispanico used a custom award design it commissioned Bennett Awards to create in 2015. This sculpture design is based on an impressionistic ballet dancer. The design was done in an artistic style that matches Ballet Hispanico's brand image. The ballet dancer sculpture stands approximately 16” high, and is cast in gold-plated pewter. The sculpture award is mounted on a circular black marble based with gold-fill engraving of the recipient name, award name, and date of presentation.

America's premier Latino dance organization for more than 45 years, Ballet Hispánico brings communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures and the shared human experience through dance. Founded by National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has been led since 2009 by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, who has infused the organization's legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America's changing cultural landscape. Through performances of its internationally-acclaimed Company, innovative dance training programs, and community education activities that inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds, Ballet Hispánico brings the joy of dance and Hispanic culture to the world.