Four Seasons Produce's Melanny Gomez Cruz Awarded Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Frieda Rapoport Caplan, a name well-known in our industry, has left us, but her legacy is never to be forgotten thanks to the tireless efforts of her family and fresh produce organizations like the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). In partnership with Frieda’s Owners Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, PMA’s Center for Growing Talent awarded the winner of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspective Scholarship to Melanny Gomez Cruz of Four Seasons Produce, who was selected out of more than 20 applicants.
“I don’t have words on how amazing this was for me,” Cruz said. “This conference has helped me see things from a different perspective. I met such amazing women at this conference. I loved seeing that the first-timers came in shy and had no glow to them. Then on the last day, I saw them interacting—so alive and glowing. I feel like this scholarship is an amazing opportunity for many women. It opens up delicate situations happening in the workplace and lets women know that they are not alone.”
The scholarship award allows women to attend the the Women’s Fresh Perspective’s Conference hosted by the Center for Growing Talent, which empowers women by hosting events and sessions focused on development both personally and professionally. According to a press release, the goal of the conference is to maximize women’s impact in the predominantly male produce industry, while also providing a sense of community and camaraderie.
Cruz was awarded with the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship for her impact within many parts of the Four Seasons Produce organization, where she has most recently been serving as a Recruiting Specialist.
This scholarship is granted to those who embody Frieda’s beloved spirit of action, excellence, and dedication to personal and professional development. Each recipient receives an all-expenses-paid trip and admittance to the conference, which will help them to further their development.
Starting next spring, the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship will begin accepting applications for 2022. Those interested in applying must be a first-time attendee to the conference (once awarded) and employed in any segment of the produce or floral supply chain, both at the time of the application and the time of the conference.
Who will be the next woman to carry on Frieda’s lasting legacy? Keep reading AndNowUKnow to find out.
