A Goddess is Born
In the mid-70’s, a twist of fate united three women through the M.A. Program in Translation at the University of Puerto Rico. Carmen E. Diaz, a professor with the Program at the time, met Myrsa Landrón and Barbara Cohen, two of her top students who were completing their M.A. degree. The relationship between these women later evolved into a solid friendship and what would be the genesis of Atabex Translation Specialists, Inc.
After becoming friends, each woman ventured on different career paths. After Myrsa obtained her M.A. degree in 1980, she went on to teach at Sacred Heart University while honing her skills as a freelance translator. Barbara graduated with her M.A. degree in 1983 and immediately moved to California to obtain another degree in interpretation from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Meanwhile, Carmen enrolled at the Medical Program of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico to obtain her Post-graduate Certificate as a Medical Translator, and thirty-two years later she is still the only person in Puerto Rico qualified with that certificate.
In the early 80’s, at a time when there was a growing demand for translation yet few (if any) language service providers on the island, Myrsa had the insight to identify a great business opportunity. She called together a group of women—her two friends and another fellow alumna—to start their own agency. In the end, on June 3, 1985, three of those women finally incorporated Atabex Translation Specialists, Inc. And a goddess was born.
