BINGEN — “What defines true leadership?” This is a question that is asked every year as the team assesses nominations for Washington Gorge Action Programs’ (WAGAP) El Grito Heart Award.
“The Heart Award has been an incredible addition to the celebration that happens every year at Rhinegarten Park in September,” said WAGAP Associate Director Juan Reyes. “It has been an honor to be able to recognize a community member who has gone above and beyond to help their family, neighbors, and community at each celebration for the last three years.”
“This year we are proud to celebrate Alicia Flores Mackency,” said Civic Engagement Director Mary Alejandre.
Like many immigrant women, Flores Mackency knows firsthand what it means to work hard to get ahead. For several years, she worked in the fields, harvesting pears and strawberries at Dickey Farms. Her experience as a farmworker gave her insight into the hardships, needs, and dreams of the many families arriving in the Gorge in search of opportunity.
After several years in the fields, she had the chance to work for three months at the Employment Department offices. What began as a temporary job turned into a 21-year career of service. That role opened the door for her to become a key figure in supporting and guiding the region's Latino community.
Flores Mackency became a translator and interpreter for people who needed to assert their rights and access essential services. She provided interpretation in hospitals and accompanied families during some of the most significant moments of their lives. She was present at 22 births and three C-sections, helping mothers and families communicate and understand what was happening during times of intense emotion and vulnerability.
She also interpreted in court and assisted individuals who needed guidance defending their rights. She advocated for workers seeking fairer wages and for people who, due to language barriers, were often unable to stand up for themselves.
Yet, Flores Mackency service was never limited to her job.
For years, she provided housing to people arriving from various places to work in the Gorge. She helped connect them with community resources — such as food banks, local services, and other support organizations.
For many newcomers, Flores Mackency was one of the first helping hands they encountered. Some know her as “the woman who would take the taco off her own plate to give it to others” — an expression reflecting how she was always willing to share what she had, even when it was very little. Someone described her generosity in even deeper terms: “She takes out her own heart to give to others.” A phrase that captures the spirit of a woman who has dedicated much of her life to serving others without expecting anything in return.
Currently, Flores Mackency is involved with the Women's Club in Glenwood, participating in activities and fundraisers to support local schoolchildren. She also continues to help the community by volunteering as an interpreter at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Flores Mackency’s story is much more than the tale of an immigrant woman who worked hard and succeeded. It is the story of a woman who turned her own experiences into opportunities for others, helping newcomers find their place, and building a stronger, more connected community along the way.
“Her life reminds us that true leadership is not always found in a title or a position. Sometimes, it is found in a person who opens the doors of their home, accompanies a mother to the hospital, interprets in court, helps a worker secure fair pay, connects a family with food, or simply lends a hand when someone else needs it,” said Alejandre.
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