Others debate if it is a burden, Gloria Estefan, though, does not shy from the role model status that many have assigned her.

The entertainer, who inaugurates the new MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods over Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, knows that she is viewed as a person whom Hispanics, women and others hold in especially high regard, and she insists she does not feel weighted down in being accorded such respect.

The way she sees it, it comes with the territory. “When you’re a public person, you are considered a role model in a lot of ways,” she acknowledges. “If it’s something parents want kids to look up to or be, or even if they don’t, it happens to be that way because kids who are fans are very impressionable. They feel if someone is famous they have done something they might want to do.

“I feel honored the Hispanics look at me as a role model. It is important to me. I do consider them in a lot of things I do in my life. I try to do the best I can and erase stereotypes.”

As a strong woman, a proud Cuban American, a record-setting artist whose music has touched the world, as a selfless humanitarian, Gloria Estefan’s best is awfully good.

“She has not just performed for America, but she has served America,” said Dr. Pedro Jose Greer Jr., physician-founder of homeless clinics in Florida, when he presented Estefan and her husband-producer Emilio Estefan with the Hispanic Heritage Award in 1993 for excellence in the arts.

After South Florida was devastated by Hurricane Andrew, the Estefans arranged an all-star benefit concert which resulted in raising about $3 million for relief and re-building efforts.

The Estefans have been described as two extraordinary people whose love for life is so well reflected in their music.

Gloria once personally distributed tents to the homeless living under Miami’s bridges and she and Emilio staged a private concert just for them.

They not only display their Hispanic heritage, Greer said, but they also build upon it. They received the Heritage Award, said Greer, “not for the obvious, not what the world knows, but more importantly for a tradition and heritage that the world should follow, for they are that example of love, of life and of joy.”

Gloria says that she feels fortunate to be able to enjoy and receive a kind of love that she calls “cross-cultural,” which comes from a united Hispanic community. “I feel the love of all Hispanics,” she says.

Little wonder. It is said her passion for children and their plight has earned her a reputation as “Miami’s Mother Teresa.” She is a driving force for those in need.

Former President George Bush appointed her a public member of the U.S. delegation to the 47th General Assembly of the United Nations.

She has been recognized by the United Way’s Alexis De Tocqueville Society for “outstanding philanthropy,” and has been named “humanitarian of the year” by the B’nai B’rith Performing Arts unit.

In addition, she performed a benefit concert with the New World Symphony which raised significant donations for various organizations.

In May of 1993, she was presented with the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of honor. The readers of VISTA magazine named her “Hispanic Woman of the Year.”

One senses that while she is grateful for the recognition, she accepts it, not for herself, but as a symbolic way to send the message we all can do more for one another, that we all can and should believe in our own abilities, that we all should be proud of our heritage.

Estefan expressed hope that her 1993 “Mi Tierra” album, her Spanish-language solo debut, helps educate young Cubans about their musical heritage. “Emilio and I dedicated this record to our parents, because they really kept the culture alive for us and for (others), so that (they) know a bit more about our musical roots,” says Estefan.

She is quick to point out, too, that the album’s title song, “Mi Tierra,” which means “my homeland,” could apply to an immigrant from any country.

Estefan came to the U.S. with her family before the age of 2. Her father had been a motorcycle escort to the wife of former President Fulgencio Batista. Her dad joined the Bay of Pigs invasion force and was captured and imprisoned in Cuba for more than two years. He later joined the U.S. Army and became a captain before going to Vietnam.

Estefan senses that freedom sometimes is taken for granted in the U.S.

“Sometimes when you have had something for a long time and never lost it, you take it for granted,” she says. “It’s easy for people to complain. But I’ve been everywhere and there’s more freedom here than anywhere else, whether it’s economic freedom or the ability to go out and make of yourself whatever you want. In the democratic process you can say whatever you want. Any system has its down side, but ultimately there are so many good things. I wish everybody would feel proud.”

She and Emilio can feel proud of their efforts.

“I feel fortunate I’m able to make a living at what I love the most,” says Gloria. “Music has always been a solace to me and a wonderful escape from troubles, and also a beautiful way to fill my life and touch the lives of others, because music truly did a lot for me.

“Hopefully in some ways my music will inspire people – inspire goodness and positive feelings.”

If her children are inspired by her, Estefan says she hopes it is “to be giving and respect other human beings and be a happy human being. We are taught so many things, but we’re not taught how to deal with ourselves, how to enjoy things and move ahead.”

Estefan, who has sold 70 million records, recorded 24 albums and received the music industry’s highest honor (a Grammy) five times, has enjoyed a most fruitful career that is still very much ongoing. She currently is working on a script based on the life and career of a ‘60s pop icon, and she has written two children’s books that were on the bestseller list of the New York Times.

She considers her latest CD, “90 Millas,” produced by her husband, historically significant in many ways, including the fact that it is the first time, and probably the last, that all the legendary artists that are guests will play together on an album. Joining Estefan are Carlos Santana; the legendary Johnny Pacheco (referred to by many as “salsa’s godfather”); trumpet virtuoso Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros; conga diva Sheila E; actor and musician Andy Garcia; and Cachao, considered the creator of the mambo.

The CD’s title “90 Millas” (90 Miles) references her roots 90 miles away from Miami in Cuba.

It is a collection of 14 original songs in Spanish paying tribute to the roots of Cuban music, while simultaneously injecting a modern sensibility to the traditional rhythms. It also pays homage to the world’s most influential and respected Latino musicians of the past 50 years.

Regardless of her repertoire, she expresses hope that people take a very positive feeling from her music. “I hope it makes them feel good, expresses feelings they have for another human being,” she explains. “Music is a wonderful way to feel emotions, remember memories, to tie down memories in a physical way. I know it works that way for me. It just takes me back sometimes (to another time in her life). I hope in some way my music does this for people, makes them feel good or cry and lets some things out, just touches people.

“...Our main concern (in concert) is enjoying it, letting people see how much we enjoy what we are doing and ultimately they can join right in. We want them to take a feeling of who we are as people, and that we’re not just standing there and performing.”

(For Foxwoods ticket information, phone Ticketmaster 860-886-0070; or go online at mgmatfoxwoods.com)