A native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Alicia Suria-Silva came to San Antonio in 1981 with her husband, Cesar and her two children, daughter Alicia and son Cesar.
Roughly three years later, Alicia, armed with a passion for maintaining the culture and traditions of Puerto Rico for the benefit of her children and the San Antonio community, joined with a small group of women to establish The Puerto Rican Heritage Society.
Education holds a special place in this former teacher’s heart. It is that love of education and realizing its power to uplift an individual, she has dedicated her efforts in the Society overseeing scholarships to high school students in Bexar County, many of whom are Puerto Rican descendants. As the chairperson of the Society’s Scholarship Committee, she has led this group’s efforts, awarding hundreds of scholarships over the past 37 years.
Alicia may have retired as a teacher after her 35 years in the sector, but she certainly has not slowed down. She is a volunteer in several community organizations, including the Telethon USA Children’s Rehabilitation Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit offering comprehensive rehabilitation services for children with neurological, muscular and skeletal disabilities. She is also active with Ascension DePaul Services of San Antonio, a Catholic health ministry dedicated to spiritually centered, holistic care that sustains and improves the health of individuals and communities, working on such programs as Adopt a Child and Assistance to Senior Citizens.
Alicia’s passion for The Puerto Rican Heritage Society is evident in all that she does for the organization — from helping with the festivals and cultural activities, to the Three Kings Day Celebration, writing letters that have ensured financial help from San Antonio individuals and businesses, to the many other activities representing the organization. She believes in the Society’s mission. She is very proud of the accomplishments of the organization and how it has helped place Puerto Rico in a very respected position in San Antonio.