Doña Graciela de Holman opened up in the business world from a very young age. She was a tireless entrepreneur, job generator and promoter of gastronomy and tourism in El Salvador.
Graciela de Holman made her way in the business world from a very young age, with an entrepreneurial vision that was not common in her time, with love for her own and for others, but with great firmness.
“Dona Chelita” as she was affectionately called had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and love for Salvadoran cuisine that she promoted both inside and outside the borders during her business life. This March 19, family and friends mourned his death, at the age of 90.
Doña Chelita founded restaurants that came to have a lot of prestige nationally and internationally, even in a difficult time due to the civil war, but she struggled to keep her business afloat in the midst of this socially and politically complicated time, all to continue generating work in the country and for Salvadoran food to be appreciated.
The prominent businesswoman was in charge of several restaurants in El Salvador, Guatemala and the United States, including the prestigious 7 Mars, Lemar, Chela s, which had a luxurious branch in Miami, Florida, USA
She was very committed to promoting tourism and generating business and jobs, so as a “passionate volunteer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she focused her forces on helping others who, like her, loved the national cuisine “, relates a pronouncement of the business entity.
So “in 1994, he founded the Tourism Committee of the guild, and since that date, his house has always been open to receive his colleagues and work on initiatives that promote tourism and tourism. country gastronomy “, details the Chamber.
From here to materialize their efforts by founding the emblematic International Gastronomic Festival, the first event of its kind that allowed attendees to know the best of Salvadoran food, also highlighting with recognition to the winning establishments, the prestige grew with the award.
Mrs. Chelita’s contribution to Salvadoran gastronomy can never be measured by numbers, because it goes beyond records. His effort and dedication will always be remembered with admiration by those who had the honor of working alongside him.
The president of the union, Jorge Hasbún, describes her as “a leading woman, brave, enterprising, proactive, builder of solutions, emblematic of national tourism”.
In XX Gastronomic Festival, Graciela de Holman receives a recognition of hands of Luis Cardinal, then president of the Camarasal.
Love for a mother, for a friend
Carmen Elena Rubio de Barrera, one of Doña Chelita’s children informed her relatives and friends of her mother’s death, describing her legacy.
“She fought to the end to see a developed country for the benefit of Salvadorans … A woman who struggled to open doors of opportunity to excel and help everyone stand out. A woman who overflowed with love and kindness , hugs and kisses for all. A true National Heritage of flesh and blood, “Barrera described.
Luis Cardenal, former president of the Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Private Enterprise (ANEP) has lamented the loss extolling the kindness and work that characterized the businesswoman.
“She was well received wherever she was, she was sweet, optimistic, positive, affectionate, very hardworking, constant, tireless, if something didn’t work for her she always kept going,” Cardinal commented recalling “Doña Chelita de Holman.”
Gold palm winner
Dona Graciela de Holman was awarded the Palme d’Or in 1997 for her business leadership and love of the country.
The recognition is the highest business award given in El Salvador by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Three years earlier, in 1994, Dona Graciela de Holman had founded the guild’s Tourism Committee and developed the Gastronomic Festival for years.
“He fought to the end to see a developed country for the benefit of Salvadorans. I will always thank God for blessing us with a mother like you.”.
Carmen Rubio de Barrera, daughter
“Doña Chelita never wanted to leave El Salvador, she was always aware of what the country needed to support. It’s a great loss, it leaves a great legacy.”.
Luis Cardenal, former president of ANEP