Rita Moreno belongs to an elite group of only eight living performers who have won entertainment’s grand slam of prestigious industry awards: The Oscar, The Emmy, The Tony, and The Grammy. At just 81 years young, Ms. Moreno remains one of the busiest stars in show business and has just penned her first book, Rita Moreno: A Memoir, released this March.
Ms. Moreno recently appeared on KGO Radio 810 to discuss her new book and the upcoming PBWC Conference.
Born Rosa Dolores Alverio in Humacao, a small town near the Puerto Rican rain forest, Ms. Moreno moved with her mother to New York at the age of five. She built a thriving career for the better part of six decades, despite the institutional racism that has plagued the entertainment industry, and is the first hispanic woman to win an Academy Award.
Ms. Moreno brings a unique perspective to the powerful lineup of speakers at the 24th annual PBWC Conference. In her address, “My Life as a CEO (Child, Entertainer and Octogenarian),” she will speak about the value of inclusion in all facets of society, drawing on her experiences in a rich and celebrated career in the arts.
Rita Moreno has served on The National Endowment for the Arts and as a Commissioner for The President’s White House Fellowships. She has also served as a member of The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
At a White House ceremony in June 2004, Ms. Moreno was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. The medal is the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian and ranks only second to The Congressional Medal of Honor as the nation’s highest award. It is conferred on individuals for a lifetime of meritorious service.
In 2007, Ms. Moreno was inducted into the California Hall of Fame by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2010, she was awarded The National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama as well as the Here I Stand Award for activism in the arts and the HOLA Lifetime Achievement Award.
