Myrsa’s Story
Translation was her obvious choice for a graduate degree. She had always loved words and once dabbled in translation work for a local newspaper. With four children in college and three at home, she figured becoming a professional translator would be a great way to earn money while working from home. So, after earning her Master’s degree and teaching for a few years at Sacred Heart University, she turned her eye to the business of translation. Although her first venture did not work out, she refused to give up.
That is when she asked Carmen Díaz, her best translation teacher ever, and another graduate (who eventually decided not to continue) to start up another business with her. They were later joined by Barbara Cohen. With an initial investment of $600.00 each, they incorporated Atabex Translation Specialists right from the very beginning. Yes, that’s how serious they were.
They began working out of a renovated garage at her home. She never forgot their very first equipment (an IBM Computer, a Quietwriter Printer, and software) which was generously funded by a $5,000 check from their “angel investor”, her husband. From then on, it was all hands on deck. The three of them were hard workers, but even more importantly, they were a great team.
As Atabex prospered over the years, they moved on to better headquarters. They eventually joined the ATA and helped promote the now defunct Asociación Puertorriqueña de Traductores e Intérpretes, our local translators and interpreters association. Atabex also became a proud sponsor of the University of Puerto Rico’s Graduate Program in Translation and its events. As the company grew and evolved, they were joined by other wonderful translators, editors, and advisors who have made Atabex what it is today.
She loved translation and her co-workers, and that was the key to their success. Until her old age, and “officially” retired, you could still find her dabbling in translation every now and then. Once a translator, always a translator.
In Myrsa’s Own Work
While in her 80’s, she wrote a biography of her sister’s time as a nun in Venezuela
Myrsa’s Interests
Writing
Blogging
Water aerobics
