Nelly was born in Ibarra, Ecuador.

She has lived in Bloomington since 1993.

She is a professional seamstress and creates specialty wedding gowns.

Returning to Ecuador

“I’ve often wanted to return to Ecuador, but time has passed by and my children have grown-up here, they are more American than anything because they came here so little, so I haven’t wanted to leave them.”

Getting to know the Latino community

“I would like people in Bloomington to open-up a little more to foreigners and to get to know the different cultures…I would like them to get to know us a little more, that we (the Hispanic) are people with a great warmth for humanity, that we are caring, that we are people that also like to overcome problems, that we are sincere, loyal, and that we can cooperate with the community…and that on any level Latinos are good people, we are humble and at the same time full of dignity…because the moment that a American gets to know us they are going to like us a lot…”