Angels’ Marie Moreno Pitches Inspiration

Marie Moreno, director of community relations for the California Angels, has been honored by the national Mexican American Opportunity Foundation as one of its five Hispanic Women of the Year.

A Newport Beach resident, Moreno is on the advisory boards of the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress and the Children’s Bureau of Southern California. She also is a United Way director and, starting April 1, will be president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Orange County.

Moreno’s devotion to children often takes her into schools, where she speaks to pupils about her challenges and triumphs.

“I tell them that I was once them. I came from the barrio,” she said. “I want them to know that they can be anything they want to be.”

She accepted her national award, she said, on behalf of the children. “I hope it shows them that there is hope. They can receive recognition . . . if they work very hard.”