Women’s History Month
- The Chairman
- 4 hours ago
- 1 min read
In 1946, Navija Achkar-Valladares began Casa Leon Jewelers alongside her parents and siblings in Camagüey, Cuba. What started as a family dream quickly became a beloved community treasure.
In 1960, after the Castro administration seized their business, Navija and her family fled to the United States with little more than their resilience and faith. Determined to rebuild, Navija and her brother Amin sold jewelry door-to-door from the trunk of their car — working tirelessly until they were able to open a small brick-and-mortar store in Youngstown, Ohio.
That courageous restart became the foundation for the Casa Leon Jewelers we know today — now proudly owned and operated by her daughter and grandchildren in Lake Mary.
This Women’s History Month, as we celebrate 80 years, we honor the woman whose strength, sacrifice, and unwavering belief made it all possible.
Her dream didn’t end. It evolved. And it continues to shine. 💎
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