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  • Ana Carolina Alvarado

Heroines of the Pandemic


A digital artwork made to honor the heroes of the pandemic. Marvel Entertainment

As never before, the world has experienced a disease that has become a direct threat to the health and living conditions of billions of people. No one is exempt from the repercussions of the pandemic, as this disease does not distinguish between nationalities, languages, ages or cultures. The coronavirus pandemic dramatically changed life as everyone knew it.


The pandemic has taught the world many lessons, one being that heroes are real. Forget Captain America, Wonder Woman, Batman and other comic book superheroes. These past few months have revealed the real heroes, those who are stepping up and protecting us all during this crisis against the invisible villain claiming lives: COVID-19.


If there has ever been a time that we need heroes, it is now. The pandemic has created unprecedented health and economic challenges, especially for the most vulnerable among us all. The good news is that many people from all walks of life are doing their part to help. Health care workers. Scientists. Grocery store workers. Vaccine trial participants. As well as ordinary citizens caring for their community.


Here are portraits of two heroines who have been working to alleviate suffering during the pandemic. Hopefully their stories will inspire you.


Leonor Bonilla
Leonor Bonilla and her sons (Hernán, Leonardo and Alex) works as partners in their family business

Leonor Bonilla Landa is a prominent businesswoman in the health sector, specifically in the pharmaceutical sector. Together with her sons, all AST alumni, —Hernán Ulloa (‘91), Leonardo Ulloa (‘93) and Alex Ulloa (‘94)— she is a partner of Laboratorios y Droguería CORINFAR S.A. de C.V., La Familia and Santa Ana pharmacies.


The abrupt arrival of the pandemic presented Bonilla with many changes, as it did to all. Though her businesses had always operated under environments of utmost cleanliness and safety, Bonilla described how the external environment became “a threat” to her work. This led her to develop guidelines and workshops that followed all of the biosecurity protocols established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to spread awareness on COVID-19 and ensure the safety of employees, distributors, and customers alike.


As social distancing became the norm and working from home was highly encouraged, Bonilla made such arrangements with her employees, especially for those at high-risk in order to limit their exposure. In her words, “above all, I know that my priority is, and has always been, safeguarding human resources.” This new modality, fortunately, yielded positive results for Bonilla as it strengthened her technological platforms, making them more efficient and secure to use. To this day, Bonilla still has employees that are working from home.


Bonilla also faced hardships with these sudden changes, particularly with her clients and overseas suppliers. As the demand for medicines and biosecurity products increased worldwide, being able to distribute and acquire the necessary materials (such as masks, gel, among others) in a timely manner became a significant challenge, one which required patience and constant collaboration with authorities in order to yield results.


A look into Corinfar's products and work protocol. Notice how all workers are wearing masks!


Despite these obstacles in her path, Bonilla has worked nonstop to assist Hondurans and provide them with the items and services necessary. Furthermore, Bonilla’s businesses have even created new products to meet the needs of the people now, including the sales of quaternary ammonium compounds to disinfect food items. Her contributions during his pandemic have been crucial to the survival and well-being of Hondurans all around, and will continue to do so as we continue to live in this new reality.


Karla Toledo

Karla Toledo is a distinguished lady in Tegucigalpa, whose efforts have greatly aided those in need during this pandemic. Toledo is also mother to some very proud Eagles, including Anelisa Toledo (‘21). Alongside a group of adults, Toledo helped organize teams and schedules of people to provide meals (breakest, lunch, snacks and dinner) to patients and medical staff in the COVID-19 wing of the Hospital Escuela Universitario (HEU). According to Toledo, this initiative began from “a desire to protect the health personnel and thank them for all of the help and service they have given Hondurans all over the country.”


A food delivery is made and sent to the patients and medical staff in the Hospital Escuela Universitario (HEU).



Toledo went beyond providing the HEU with food, and sought to supply the HEU’s other needs. For example, Toledo worked towards supplying the biosecurity products needed, such as masks, face shields, gloves, hand sanitizer, surgical gowns, among others. She also helped by acquiring donations to provide the HEU with important materials and medical equipment, including wheelchairs, curtains, monitors for the Intensive Care Unit, manometers, respirators, oximeters, hospital beds, and more. Toledo’s team also helped cover the financial needs of those who needed medical tests that were unavailable in public hospitals.


Toledo’s efforts have greatly impacted the lives of many Hondurans and provided them with valuable resources as the world continues to embrace these unprecedented times. Her commitment to serving the Honduran people is truly one-of-a-kind.



To finalize, why do we need heroes? Because they represent the best of who we can be. The extensive efforts of women like Leonor Bonilla and Karla Toledo to solve Honduras's challenges demonstrates our values as a society and serve as powerful examples of how to make a positive difference in the world. And if enough people hear about their actions, they can inspire others to do something heroic too.
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