The president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, accompanied by the counselor of Social Welfare, Marci Acuña, and the counselor of Seniors, Nori Machín, has received at the headquarters of the Institution María Hiniesta Távora Triano, known as Nena, historic president and founder of the Derecho y Justicia association, after her recent appointment as Lanzarotean Rotarian of the Year 2026.
The distinction, awarded by the Rotary Club Lanzarote, recognizes Hiniesta's career and social commitment at the head of an entity which, since 2004, works in the defense of the rights of people deprived of liberty and the accompaniment of their families, especially in Canarias.
During the institutional meeting, the president of the Cabildo stressed that “Nena has become a true beacon within Lanzarotean society. Her life is an example of tenacity, constant struggle and firm commitment to those who need it most”.
Likewise, he/she added that “thanks to their bravery and perseverance, many families in Lanzarote have found support, guidance, and hope in moments of enormous difficulty. Their work has contributed to humanizing the system and defending the dignity of people deprived of liberty”.
La Asociación Derecho y Justicia was born in 2004, driven by a group of mothers, relatives, and friends who, without prior knowledge of the functioning of the penitentiary system, decided to organize themselves in view of the serious situations that were occurring in the Tahíche penitentiary center. With headquarters in Arrecife, the entity has since developed intense work of information and guidance to families, support in writings before the Penitentiary Surveillance Court, contact with penitentiary centers, emotional accompaniment, and coordination with public defenders.
In addition, it collaborates in rehabilitation programs and promotes workshops for leisure, artistic, and cultural purposes, fostering social reintegration and defending a more humane penitentiary model. Among its achievements are the reduction of transfers outside of Canarias, support for the return of inmates, and the visibility of their families' reality.
The president also wanted to congratulate Rotary Club Lanzarote for its permanent commitment to the island society since its creation in 1991, promoting solidarity initiatives in favor of numerous groups and social entities on the island. The recognition as “Rotarian Conejera of the Year 2026” will be officially presented in a public ceremony that will take place soon, where the personal and social trajectory of María Hiniesta will be highlighted.
