Latina Leaders – Paving the Way for an Inclusive & Diverse American Workforce
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Latina women make up the 2nd largest female workforce in our country. This should come as no surprise as Latina leaders can be seen across all career sectors today, including business, medicine, entertainment, law, real estate, literature, politics, and even fashion and technology.
Empowering Latina Leaders in America of Past & Present
Perhaps the most famous examples of entrepreneurial Latina women today are movie stars Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara, and Eva Longoria – each of whom are philanthropists in their own right through their charitable works and activism.
Of course, one can’t overlook the major breakthroughs that Latinas have made in American politics and justice through the efforts of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina and minority woman nominated into the Supreme Court, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Hispanic woman elected to the United States Congress, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman to serve in Congress at the age of 29.
However, these incredibly talented and hardworking women are but the most recent examples of progress within the Latina workforce movement. There were those before them who helped pave the way to an inclusive America that embraces diversity and who empowered women and minority groups alike through their own works to live their dreams despite societal expectations, such as:
- Gabriela Mistral - poet and diplomat who was the recipient of the 1945 Nobel Prize in Literature.
- Dolores Huerta - labor leader and civil rights activist who, along with Cesar Chavez, founded the National Farmworkers Association, now known as the United Farm Workers labor union.
- Ellen Ochoa - the first Hispanic woman to enter outer space and the first Latin director of the Johnson Space Center.
A Message to Latina Entrepreneurs & Leaders of the Future
While it is true that Latinas are at the forefront of workforce inclusion and social diversity in America today – it’d be even more true to say that we have been since the beginning!
The history of Latinas in the United States is an extensive one that dates back centuries and includes many unbelievably hard-working women who didn’t have the luxury of being recognized or widely known for their valiant efforts. Yet, they still pushed on so that their children, or even the children of their children, can grow up in an America where they can have access to the opportunities that would allow them to live to their fullest potential.
Although the names of these incredible Latin women may be lost in time, their collective efforts throughout the course of American history have made tremendous progress in creating a diverse America where both women and ethnic minorities alike can reach for their dreams.
Today, there are 42 Hispanic members in our current 116th Congress, 12 of whom are women, and are responsible for bringing about national change on the most major of our country’s issues and policies.
Building A Diverse America by Building Each Other
There is no denying that Latin heritage has played a significant part in developing the inclusive and progressive America that we know today – a place where Latin women can be given the resources and opportunities to pursue their desired careers and fulfill their entrepreneurial spirits.
Not only are Latinas becoming more recognized in the workplace and mainstream culture, but even top American companies such as Ford Motors stand in support of the Latina entrepreneur movement through initiative grants that provide capital, educational resources, and networking opportunities for Latina-owned businesses affected by the pandemic.
If you want to book author and speaker, Lisa Caprelli, for your next event. contact her at goglossymarketing@gmail.com or text her at 949-357-0732 for faster reply.