Monique Pineda is French born and fluent in French, Spanish and English. Her childhood was spent in France and South America, primarily Lima, Peru where she met her Peruvian Neurosurgeon husband of 55 years.  She is the mother of four grown children and the grandmother of five much loved grandchildren.

Monique’s interest in photography, writing, publishing and song writing are new adventures for her. Monique has exhibited her works in numerous cultural centers around the globe; in the United States; at the Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture of Los Angeles, California; The Cultural Art Center of Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida; The World Trade Center, New York City, New York; the Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, Missouri; in France at the Peruvian Embassy in Paris; at Le Monde des Amériques, and the City Hall of the IX District in Paris. In Spain: Museo Barbier-Mueller de Arte Precolombino, Barcelona, also in Barcelona, “Salón Perú”.  In Ecuador: Museo de la Cultura, Quito. In Peru, at the Cultural Center Chavez de la Rosa; the National University of San Agustin, Arequipa; the Museum Joaquin Lopez, and The National University  of San Cristobal de Haumanga, Ayacucho; the Manuelita Saenz Museum, Lima; the National University Federico Villarreal, Lima; the architecture Faculty, Lima; and at the Peruvian Congress, Lima.

 In 2002 she published her second book, “Visions of Peru”, it is dedicated to her father. In 2005 she published her third book, “Sun and Shadows”, dedicated to her children. In 2006 she published her fourth book, “Doors and Windows”, dedicated to friendship and also in 2006 she published her fifth book, “Faces of My World”, dedicated to the human spirit.  All contain her photography and her original poems which are written in English, French and Spanish.

Monique calls herself a professional volunteer. She is a past Chair of the California Medical Association Alliance Foundation and President of the Neurosurgical Peruvian American Foundation, she is the Vice Chair of the International Committee of the National “Think First Program”. She was elected: President of the California Medical Association Alliance, was twice elected National President of the Association of Peruvian Institutions in the United States of America and Canada, AIPEUC, and first served as President of the Los Angeles, California Chapter of that group.

Because of her dedication as a volunteer she has received special recognitions:  Volunteer of the Year by the Orange County Medical Association Alliance, a proclamation by the “State General Assembly of the State of Connecticut” and a recognition from the State of California for her dedication in promoting Peruvian Culture in the State of California and in the United States. In Peru she was honored by the Consejo por la Paz with the “Maria Elena Mollano” award, a Diploma al Mérito was given by the Peruvian Congress for promoting Peruvian culture in various parts of the world, and  the Peruvian Government recognized her as one of  five individuals  world wide who during the year 2009 promoted and helped the Peruvian community and the most needy in Peru; decoration given by the Minister of the Exterior of Peru-the "Gegorio Paz Soldan" award for her work with Peruvian communities and for her distinguished efforts  promoting Peruvian culture abroad.  Recognition was given by Enrique López Albugar Trint, Minister of Defense,  for her support in prevention of trauma. Recognition by the National University Federico Villareal  for her artistic labor in publication of photography and poems.  She has also received recognition from the municipality of Pisco for her promotion of and fundraising for the construction of the primary school  “Carlos Medrano” in the District of San Andres, Pisco. This following the devastating earthquake there.