Dilletta Pina is an accomplished woman of incredible strength and compassion. Born in the Dominican Republic, Ms. Pina moved to the United States with her mother when she was seven years old. During the years that followed, Ms. Pina traveled between the Dominican Republic and the United States, receiving a multi-cultural education.
As a young girl, Ms. Pina was in Santo Domingo when Hurricane Flora hit the Dominican Republic. Although she was only 14, she joined a group of students whose mission was to help those in need. During this trip, she stayed awake for three days delivering water, food, blankets and clothing to those who had lost their homes and possessions. She selflessly devoted all her strength and efforts toward the comfort of the victims, alleviating as much suffering as possible. This experience shaped her future; she realized that her calling was in serving the less fortunate and dedicated her life’s work to community outreach both in the Dominican Republic and the United States.
In 1980, Ms. Pina became a naturalized citizen of the United States and immediately registered to vote. In 1995, she joined Community Tax Aid as a volunteer, assisting low-income families and individuals to prepare and file their taxes free of charge. In 1999, she began volunteering for political campaigns, working to place in office officials who genuinely care about improving their communities and the lives of their constituents. From 1997 to 2005 Ms. Pina was an 1199 SEIU delegate and a member of the 1199 Executive Council, participating in various political campaigns under the sponsorship of SEIU1199, including John Kerry’s presidential campaign.
Ms. Pina was appointed a Community Board 7 member in May 2010 and chairperson of the health committee in 2011, in addition to belonging to the Ben Franklin Democratic Club. In 2011, Ms. Pina participated in the Bronx CAN Health Challenge, committing to leading a healthy lifestyle and contributing to the health and well-being of her community. A recipient of the Kissell Award for Excellence, Ms. Pina is a resilient, intelligent and dedicated woman whose selfless spirit and generosity has touched the lives of countless people in both the Dominican Republic and New York State.
