(CNN Español) – Rum master Nancy Duarte says she received with serenity and great joy the recognition that placed her as the only Venezuelan on the list of the 25 most powerful and influential women in People en Español magazine in 2022. In a conversation with CNN, she highlights that for her Being on this list alongside women like Olga Tañón and Christina Aguilera is a source of pride and also of greater commitment.
Duarte celebrates sharing space with them on People en Español, and confesses that she is proud to be with them on the list.
The magazine, now publicly only in digital following 26 years of its printed edition, invites five celebrities each year to choose five “goddaughters” who in turn participate in an online vote in which the public decides which of them will be part of the list of “The 25 Most Powerful Women”.
For Duarte, joining that list can represent what the Venezuelan woman is who, she says, has been growing and taking roles at all levels “in universities, in politics, in the economy, in industry.” She looks back and remembers how she made her way in a traditionally male world.
He started serving drinks at tastings and preparing samples, but then behind the scenes he paid attention to comments and focused on evaluating the quality of the products. Thus, she tells her, she was earning respect and developing a sensory memory that became a tool to climb within the organization.
Her career and achievements left the door open for other women, because according to what she tells us, it is the women who lead the groups in the training processes of the rum masters, due to their great sensitivity and with excellent results.
“Sometimes we say that the student surpasses the teacher and now we have very good girls that we have been preparing to train as rum teachers and they have good skills which we have been able to develop and have in that clearer way those attitudes to make some good blends. Duarte says.
Duarte explains that her status as a woman has a favorable impact on the work carried out by an expert rum maker and, especially, the thoroughness and sensitivity that allows her to distinguish between the different aromas and flavors that go from the raw material to the final product.
“We women are thrown forward, we are of the level of commitment that is placed on us and every day we have taken positions in the different positions in the organization and in the country” she assures and adds as a recommendation that women should explore their different roles and not only being mothers and wives because she considers that the important thing is to propose it.
Reflecting on this achievement, she highlights that “humility, commitment and patience” have been key elements in her 32-year career in the rum industry and from the Santa Teresa house they allowed her to be part of this group of outstanding women.
He stopped at the third point, patience as a fundamental factor in his work history and at the same time in following and guiding the evolution of alcohols and their maturation process, which entails the elaboration of what he describes as a good rum. He points out that in this way he not only puts his name on a list but somehow feels that he is also accompanied by the fame and recognition of Venezuelan rum in the international arena.
