Chief Robles Honored
Chief honored at "100 Women of Color' gala
Holyoke Community College Police Chief Jacqueline Robles of Springfield was honored Friday, Oct. 10, as one of the “100 Women of Color” during a celebration at The Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn.
The “100 Women of Color” gala and awards ceremony, sponsored by The June Archer Foundation, recognizes the contributions of women of color in leadership, business, education, government, entertainment, healthcare, and public and community service, and the impact they have made on the lives of people in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield, Robles is a graduate of Holyoke High School and has been a member of the HCC police department for 22 years. With her swearing-in in May, she became the first Latina to serve as HCC police chief.
Since then, Robles has received a slew of honors. She was named a Commonwealh Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, recognized with proclamations at the State House from both the House of Representatives and Senate, and selected as the civil service ambassador for the Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade.
On Oct. 10, she was recognized as one of the “100 Women of Color” at the 10th annual 100 Women of Color Gala and Awards ceremony. A portion of the proceeds from the event supports programs and scholarships for young women of color.
“I’m honored to be recognized for so many things that I was not expecting when I applied for this job,” Robles said.
While the awards are exciting, as a big fan of Wonder Woman, Robles says she takes seriously the superhero credo, “with great power comes great responsibility,” and knows there are a lot of people looking to her for leadership.
“I’m very humbled,” she said. “I don’t want to let anybody down, especially all the girls from my family. I’m happy and I’m proud, and I’m here at HCC, trying to make some positive moves.”
PHOTO: HCC Police Chief Jacqueline Robles marches in the Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade as the 2025 civil service ambassador.
