Type Of Business:
Sole proprietorship
Marketing Area:
International
Expertise:
Genre-bending literature; Poetry; Fictional novels; Visual arts
Major Product/SVS:
Fictional novels inspired by true events; Poetry; Canvas paintings; Faux stain glass creations
Hobbies/Sports:
Spending time with her family; Helping others; Writing; Photography; Designing jewelry; Forensics; Pharmacology; Horseback riding; Combing the beach; Volleyball; Tennis; Playing ping-pong
Education Degrees:
Various Technical Trade Diplomas; College Coursework;
High School Diploma
Affiliations Awards:
Atlanta Writers Club; Georgia Writers Association; Spanish Translator, The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas; Southern Breeze Chapter, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; Poetry Society of America; International Society of Poets
Place of Birth:
Ciudad Juárez
Industry:
Arts, Media & Entertainment
State/Country of Origin:
Chihuahua, Mexico
Date of Distinction:
11/4/2011
Work History:
FBI Employee; IV Technician, Hospital Pharmacy; Clothing Designer; Presenter; Crafts Instructor; Civilian Employee, U.S. Army; Adult Probation Employee, Graffiti Coordinator, County of El Paso, Texas; Employee, El Paso Police Department; Self-Employed Author; Freelance Visual Artist
Career Achievements:
Three-Time Commendation, Exceptional Performance of Duty and Meritorious Services Provided to the Command, U.S. Army; First Graffiti Outreach Coordinator, County of El Paso, Texas; Volunteer of the Year, Hambric Elementary School, Socorro Independent School District; Published Author of Three Multigenre Books
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
She is separated from her peers by her very colorful and rich heritage, reaching deep into the Apache nation; her honest and down-to-earth spirit; her zest for living and learning; and her love for people in general.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Her greatest career achievement is getting published in both the U.S and U.K.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
She would like to be remembered as someone who was genuine, someone who made a difference and had a positive impact on people's lives, and someone who never gave up.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
If she could solve one problem in the world today, aside from war, it would be world hunger.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
If she could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, it would be her grandfather. She would love to hear his stories about growing up, being a Native American back in his day, and the dangers he faced. She would also like to learn from his wisdom.
Expanded Biography:
Ms. Monday is the author of three books: "Sandstorms and Sunsets," "The Singing Princess," and "Faceless People." She is currently at work on her fourth novel, a paranormal suspense story inspired by true events, entitled "The Fourteenth Floor." Ms. Monday's poetry has been published in both the U.S. and U.K. Apart from her writing and art, she has experience in the medical and law enforcement industries. She was recruited directly out of high school as a clerk for the FBI in Washington, DC, and she is a former hospital pharmacy and IV technician. Her previous artistic endeavors include working as a clothing designer, crafts instructor, presenter for the Hobby Industries of America show in Las Vegas, Nev., and constructing props and painting background scenes for plays and musicals. Read more about Ms. Monday and her work at her websites: raquelmonday.com, shop.raquelmondaybooks.info and daughterofthedesertsun.shutterfly.com. Ms. Monday's books can be ordered directly from her, with a complimentary author's signature. Otherwise, they can be found at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, booksamillion.com, Walden, or the local bookstore. Raised in the desert southwest region of the U.S., Ms. Monday is of Hispanic and Native American descent. She grew up on a farm in southeast N.M. Her father labored in the fields while her mother was a full-time, devoted housewife. As a child, she, her mother, older sister would work in the onion fields in the summertime to help pay for their school supplies and clothing. The family could not afford any luxury items, so toys were few and far between. However, Ms. Monday’s love for the animals on the farm and her love for horseback riding kept her busy. Each day was a new adventure for her. Education was very important to her parents, as was having a strong spirit. Ms. Monday is fluent in both English and Spanish. She holds close ties to her native people and helps to bridge the gap between them by translating their English website, lipanapache.org, into Spanish, and assisting in whatever other capacity is needed. She donates art pieces such as jewelry and other handcrafted items to her tribe's annual pow wow. The Lipan Apache tribe was once thought to no longer exist. Their history was erased from the history books and no mention of them was made of aiding the Texans at the Alamo or protecting Mexico's freedom from Spain. To ensure the survival of their people, they had to assimilate into the American or Hispanic cultures. This meant they had to learn the language, ways, customs, and dress; they were being hunted down by both sides, American and Mexican, for possession of their land. One hundred seventy-one years later, the Lipan Apache tribe of Texas received state recognition by the same state that denied their existence on March 18, 2009, which was, indeed, a grand victory for the tribe. Ms. Monday's grandfather was a full-blood Lipan Apache. Her mother repeated his oral history to her several times throughout her life before passing away in 2001, and would always end it with the phrase, "No se te olvide," which means, "Don't forget." Ms. Monday never forgot and is now an active member of the tribe. She has been referred to by the tribe's chairman as "the one who carries the word portrait," in reference to her writing abilities. Ms. Monday was also present in assisting the Hurricane Katrina evacuees in a medical capacity in her hometown of El Paso, Texas, and the events of 9/11 changed her family life forever. Both her husband and only son now work for the U.S. Army. Her son is active duty and is currently serving overseas in Afghanistan on his second tour of duty. The morning of 9/11, her son was to fly out to report for basic Army training. The planes were down, and it was hours before she had any kind of knowledge of her son's whereabouts. Her husband is a civilian, but his line of work also calls for brief periods of deployment overseas to embattled areas.
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The highlight of her career was becoming a published author.
Charity:
Local Church; Local Schools; Feed The Children; Habitat for Humanity International; The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas; Local Battered Women's Shelter; Children's Crisis Centers; St. Joseph's Indian School for Children; Fayetteville Violence Council for Battered Women and Children
Number Of Years In Profession:
36
Number Of Years In Current Position:
22
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to the support of her parents, whose day-to-day life was an inspiration to never quit; learning as much as possible; never taking the freedoms and liberties offered by this country for granted; and her faith, which has seen her through many trials and tribulations.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because of her passion and knack for the arts and the written word. Sometimes when words elude her, she finds that her art is another way for her to say what is in her heart.
Extended Bio Profile:
Ms. Monday is the author of three books: "Sandstorms and Sunsets," "The Singing Princess," and "Faceless People." She is currently at work on her fourth novel, a paranormal suspense story inspired by true events, entitled "The Fourteenth Floor." Ms. Monday's poetry has been published in both the U.S. and U.K. Apart from her writing and art, she has experience in the medical and law enforcement industries. She was recruited directly out of high school as a clerk for the FBI in Washington, DC, and she is a former hospital pharmacy and IV technician. Her previous artistic endeavors include working as a clothing designer, crafts instructor, presenter for the Hobby Industries of America show in Las Vegas, NV., and constructing props and painting background scenes for plays and musicals. Ms. Monday's books can be ordered directly from her, with a complimentary author's signature. Otherwise, they can be found at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, booksamillion.com, Walden, or the local bookstore.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Writing novels and poetry in several literary genres; Promoting and selling her work online; Creating faux stain glass and canvas art upon request
Education Certifications:
Registered Tribal Member, The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas; Former Certified Pharmacy Technician
Awards/Honors:
Two-Time Recipient, Golden Poet Award; Silver Poet Trophy; Editor's Choice Award; Nominee, World Champion Amateur Poet; Nominee, Volunteer of the Year, Socorro Independent School District
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Ms. Monday hopes to gain more exposure and recognition as a published author, and have her artwork displayed in national art galleries. Her art will be on display at the Lipan Apache Tribe's Museum and Cultural Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.