Ava McDonnell 
This Mother’s Day, our Share Her Story campaign celebrates local women whose lives have shaped families, strengthened communities, and inspired generations. Among this year’s nominations is Teolinda Ogando, submitted by her daughter, Linmary Green. This is a tribute not only to a mother, but to a legacy that seems to be built on resilience, sacrifice, and selfless love.
Teolinda Ogando is a Dominican woman, a devoted mother of three daughters and one son, a proud grandmother of nine, and a great-grandmother of four. Now residing in Altamonte Springs, she has carried every role in her life with “strength, sacrifice, and an unshakable love for her family,” said Linmary Green. Her earlier years were dedicated to her work in cosmetology, a profession she continued through retirement at age 75.
Her journey began long before arriving in the United States. In the Dominican Republic, Ogando was already a successful business owner, operating multiple salons in both the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. But driven by a desire to create greater opportunities for her children, she made the courageous decision to start over in a new country. As an immigrant, she naturally faced financial hardship, unfamiliar systems, and the weight of building a life from the ground up.
“She navigated both with grit and grace,” Linmary shares. “In a world that often made her feel like she didn’t belong, she still found ways to belong to herself and to show up fully for her children.”
Her daughter describes her simply yet powerfully: “She is strength wrapped in softness.”
Teolinda’s life has been marked by profound courage. She made the difficult decision to leave a domestic violence relationship, prioritizing the safety and future of her children above all else.
“What stands out most is that she chose uncertainty over suffering,” said Linmary. “She left behind what was familiar, even when it was painful, to give us a chance at something better. That kind of love is not spoken, it is lived.”
Her resilience extends into every aspect of her life, including supporting her family through those challenging phases of life. Whether navigating hardship or celebrating growth, her daughter says she remained a constant source of strength.
“I remember watching her carry the weight of everything without ever letting us feel it fully,” Linmary said. “As a child, I didn’t understand it. As an adult, I realize she was shielding us while silently fighting battles of her own.”
Beyond her immediate family, Teolinda’s impact has reached far into her community.
“She has always been a giver,” Linmary says. “Whether sending help back home, opening her doors to family, or guiding others through their own struggles, she never kept what she had to herself.”
Even while building her life in the United States, she continued to support loved ones in the Dominican Republic and uplift those around her in meaningful, often unseen ways.
“I learned that starting over is not weakness, it is courage,” Linmary shares. “She showed me that you can rebuild your life from nothing and still create something meaningful, something lasting.”
Those values of resilience, faith, compassion, and service continue to ripple outward through her children and community.
At the heart of Teolinda’s life is a quiet but powerful faith. Her guiding words are “Dios proveerá,” meaning God will provide. “And somehow, he always did,” Linmary adds. “through her.”
This Mother’s Day, this recognition carries deep meaning for her family. A woman who has spent her life giving to others, often without recognition, deserves it this year.
“I would want her to know that she is seen, fully and deeply,” Linmary shares. “That her sacrifices were not in vain. That the life she built, the love she gave, and the strength she showed became the foundation for everything we are today.”
Teolinda Ogando’s story is one of perseverance, courage, and unconditional love. She is a matriarch in every sense of the word, a woman who built, protected, and nurtured a legacy that will continue for generations.
This Mother’s Day, we honor her story and invite others to share the stories of the remarkable mothers who have shaped their lives.
Do you know a mother whose story deserves to be told? Submit your nomination and help us continue to share the powerful journeys that shape our community.
Comments