Edilia Gomes, Cape Verdean honored in the US for her dedication to the mental health of the immigrant community
Cape Verdean Edilia Gomes was honored with the MAPS Lifetime Community Service Award in the United States for her tireless work of more than 30 years in the field of mental health with the Portuguese-speaking immigrant community.
CAMBRIDGE, USA - April 16, 2025 - Cape Verdean Edilia Gomes was honored with the MAPS 2025 Mary & Manuel Rogers Lifetime Community Service Award, a recognition for her career of more than 30 years dedicated to the mental health of Portuguese-speaking immigrants in the United States.
The ceremony took place at the prestigious MAPS Awards Center in the United States.
The ceremony took place at the prestigious MAPS Awards Gala, at the Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel, where more than 400 guests gathered to celebrate leaders who make significant contributions to Portuguese-speaking communities. The evening's honorees also included Brazilian Bishop Cristiano G. Borro Barbosa and businessman Michael Carreiro. Edilia Gomes, a native of Cape Verde and a psychiatric nurse by profession, stood out over the decades for fighting deep-rooted stigmas related to mental health, offering essential psychotherapy to thousands of immigrants from Brazil, Portugal, Angola and Cape Verde.
"This award is more than a recognition of my work. It's a tribute to the communities that have welcomed me, trusted me and given me the privilege of working with them," said an emotional Gomes during her speech of thanks.
MAPS' CEO, Paulo Pinto, praised Edilia as an inspiration who "has dedicated her life to the well-being of our communities". He emphasized that the dedication of professionals like her helps to break down barriers and strengthen community ties between Brazilians, Portuguese and Cape Verdeans in Massachusetts. The organization MAPS (Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers) raised more than 230 thousand dollars during the event, funds that will support its various social and health programs, including citizenship support, English classes, domestic violence prevention and HIV screenings.
