Doña Graciela de Holman started in the business world from an early age. She was a tireless entrepreneur, a job generator and a promoter of El Salvador’s gastronomy and tourism.
Graciela de Holman made her way into the business world from an early age, with an entrepreneurial vision not common in her day, with love for her loved ones and for others, but with great determination.
“Doña Chelita”, as she was affectionately known, had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and love for Salvadoran gastronomy which she promoted both within and beyond the borders during her business life. On March 19, family and friends mourned his death at the age of 90.
Doña Chelita founded restaurants that became highly prestigious nationally and internationally even in a difficult time as a result of the Civil War, but she struggled to keep her business going amid that socially and politically complicated era, all to keep generating work in the midst of that. country. and that Salvadoran food is appreciated.
The prominent businesswoman was in charge of several restaurants in El Salvador, Guatemala, and the United States, including the prestigious 7 Mares, LeMar, Chela’s Standout, which had a luxury branch in Miami, Florida, in the United States.
She was very committed to promoting tourism and creating businesses and jobs, so as a “passionate volunteer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she focused her efforts on helping others, like her, of the national cuisine. “said a statement from the company. entity.
Therefore, “he set up the Guild Tourism Committee in 1994, and from that date his home was always open to receive his colleagues and work on initiatives that would promote the country’s tourism and gastronomy,” the Chamber said. .
From there, he materialized his efforts by founding the emblematic International Gastronomic Festival, the first event of its kind that enabled attendees to experience the best of Salvadoran food, also highlighting the winning establishments, whose prestige grew with the award.
Doña Chelita’s contribution to Salvadoran gastronomy can never be measured in numbers as it goes beyond records. His efforts and dedication will always be remembered with admiration by those who had the honor of working with him.
The union’s president, Jorge Hasbún, describes her as “a leading, courageous, enterprising, proactive woman, solution builder, symbolic of national tourism”.
At the XX Gastronomic Festival, Graciela de Holman receives recognition from Luis Cardenal, the 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 family and friends of her mother’s death and described her legacy.
“She fought to the end to see a developed country for the benefit of Salvadorans… A woman looking for doors to opportunities to improve herself and help everyone excel. A woman overflowing with love and kindness, hugs and kisses for everyone. A true national heritage of flesh and blood, ”de Barrera described.
Luis Cardenal, former president of the Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Private Enterprise (ANEP), lamented the loss and praised the kindness and work that characterized the businesswoman.
“She was well received everywhere, she was sweet, optimistic, positive, affectionate, hardworking, constant, tireless, when something didn’t work, she always kept going,” said Cardenal, remembering “Doña Chelita de Holman.”
Golden Palm Winner
Doña Graciela de Holman received the Palme d’Or in 1997 for her business leadership and love for the country.
The recognition is the highest award for companies in El Salvador awarded by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Three years earlier, in 1994, Doña Graciela de Holman had founded the Guild’s Tourism Committee and developed the Gastronomic Festival for years.
“He fought to the end for a developed country for the benefit of Salvadorans. I will always thank God for blessed 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