Home » Gold & Blue Magazine » St graduate commits to inspiring future Latina lawyers Latinas are drastically underrepresented in the legal profession Although one in five women in the United States identifies as Latina this demographic comprises only about 3% of all lawyers nationwide according to the Hispanic National Bar Association said she is committed to changing these statistics by breaking barriers for other Latina law students and professionals at St Gaytan Portillo moved to Arizona with her family at age 4 It wasn’t long until personal tragedy ignited her passion for law “My dad was deported when I was 9 years old,” Gaytan Portillo said That’s why I wanted to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer: I want to help families remain together.” As a first-generation college student who had earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in Legal Studies at Arizona State University she had a dream of attending law school but had little access to mentorship Gaytan Portillo recalled feeling “lost” while struggling to navigate law school applications and LSAT preparation Then, she found the inaugural and virtual Lawtina in Training 1L Bootcamp in the summer of 2021 Founded by then-student Brianna Chapa (J.D the boot camp evolved in 2022 into the in-person on-campus Lawtina Network Summit — providing current and prospective Latina law students support networking opportunities and speaking engagements with Latina law professionals representing a variety of career paths.   The opportunity provided Gaytan Portillo with guidance Chapa walked her through every step of the application process and offered support once Gaytan Portillo arrived on campus “I feel like I belong here,” Gaytan Portillo said “There are so many other Hispanic women here But I’m here because of the Lawtina Network Summit.” In 2024, as a third-year J.D. student, Gaytan Portillo served as chair of the third annual Lawtina Network Summit in a full-circle moment that allowed her to pass the same support and encouragement she received at the summit on to the next generation of Latina law professionals the summit saw its highest attendance — with 231 registrants — in the program’s history Mary’s Law is among the most diverse law schools in the nation students identified as Hispanic and 55% identified as female “It’s a rare combination to find someone who can balance this role and law school,” said Amanda Rivas (J.D. ’09) Director of Externships and Professor of Practice of Law capable women who rallied around a mission to support the future of Latinas in the legal profession.” Gaytan Portillo has been involved in various immigration-related initiatives a San Antonio-based immigration law firm and plans to open her own practice “But I’m here because of the Lawtina Network Summit I was a part of it from the very beginning and it’s something that I always want to be a part of — to give back and inspire little girls who dream of going to law school.”  is emerging as a thought leader in the intersection of business and human rights A $5 million donation establishes the Bennie W Bock II Center for Business and Transaction Law at the St Patricia Howey is the first to earn a Master of Jurisprudence with a concentration in Special Education Advocacy at St Mary's University to transform generations as a professor and nonprofit leader attempt to play pipe organ with her best friend Laura Leming at the Marianist Family Retreat .. Balancing academics as a Communication Studies major and athletics on the Women's Tennis team has been a challenge but one Stela Sifuentes tackled with determination The latest edition of the TV Latina Screenings Festival features an array of dramas entertainment formats and blockbuster films on offer to content buyers across Latin America Visit TVLatinaScreeningsFestival.com to watch clips of these offerings Clicking on each title will take you directly to the trailer you’ll find insights from leading distributors on what currently makes these properties attractive options for broadcasters and platforms Watch ZDF Studios' Weiss & Morales Meanwhile, EndemolShine Boomdog continues to expand the successful MasterChef format with MasterChef Celebrity Generaciones a special season of MasterChef México that divides celebrity contestants into four generational groups “Ten years after MasterChef arrived in Mexico it remains one of the most beloved formats for the Mexican community That’s why we’re now returning with an innovative season that will allow viewers to enjoy Mexico’s most famous cuisine in a unique way,” highlights Frank Sheuermann chief content officer at EndemolShine Boomdog The company’s portfolio also includes Lo tomas o lo dejas / Deal or No Deal The family game show offers excitement and suspense as contestants make high-stakes decisions that could change their lives this year we’re back with the production of Take It or Leave It a 60-episode family game show hosted by renowned actor and host Paul Stanley the contestants are constantly part of the game as they are the ones who discover the briefcases during the game A bond of empathy has been created between them and we see a lot of excitement every time they get closer to the grand prize With contestants from different parts of the United States and Latin America a unique cast has been formed in Spanish-language television,” says Jaime Escallón the show’s showrunner and Executive Director of Development for EndemolShine Boomdog In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy girl is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as the ochi. But when she discovers an injured ochi baby that has been abandoned, she embarks on a journey to return it to its home. This is the story of The Legend of Ochi a family fantasy adventure from the CDC United Network catalog we will focus on defining optimal distribution strategies and on finding the best home for of our next premium contents coming down the pipeline like Dracula The Legend of Ochi or Bride Hard,” states Jimmy van der Heyden The Turkish Radio Television Corporation presents Once Upon a Time in Istanbul a drama set in 1990s Istanbul where two students fall in love and fight for justice The Connected TV Festival kicked off today with a keynote Q&A with Bedrock Streaming CEO Jonas Engwall who highlighted how the company’s technology solutions are helping broadcasters scale their streaming capabilities World Screen Newsflash is the leading source of daily news for the international media industry research reports and personnel appointments World Screen is the leading source of information for the international media business the Bakersfield Injured Families hosted their annual Latina Maternal Health Fair Kern County pregnant mothers and families are able to connect the community with vital maternal health resources A day of hope and celebration just before Mother’s Day as families were given opportunities to interact with specialists tailored to resources for during and post pregnancy “69% of babies born in Kern County are born to Latino mothers,” said Kern County Superintendent Leticia Perez The 4th annual Latina Maternal Health Fair was held at Cal State Bakersfield and was a way for families who are expecting a child can educate themselves on health resources available to them "Collaborate and just support all the community resources that Bakersfield has,” said Conceivable Physiotherapy Licensed Clinical Social Worker and so it's lovely to see us all come together in support of maternal mental health and maternal mortality and infant mortality for raising awareness." today was a day of reflection as they’ve seen loved ones die due to complications Xavier De Leon lost his pregnant girlfriend her complications during her pregnancy weren't detected until well after He said that having events like Latina Maternal Health Fair helps him with knowing that he’s not alone “It’s amazing just to know that there's a lot of community out there that was still in need,” said De Leon it's cool to see everybody come together and share their resources and their knowledge to help something like this be prevented for future families And that's what it's all about for us is not letting another family slip through the cracks and allowing everybody to go home with their healthy baby and wife." had her own difficulties during pregnancies She became a driving force to bring awareness to Latina Maternal Health and says Kern County is one of the many places in California with a large Latino community “We're the fourth largest economy in the world and Kern County feeds fuels and defense the world,” said Perez We know that Latina moms here are giving birth to so much of the next generation of our workforce With the powerful movement of spreading awareness it became the driving force into proclaiming the month of May as Latina Maternal Health Awareness month Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for the Democratic nomination for governor giving the four-term congresswoman the support of a statewide group with an ability to raise money and influence votes “We’re supporting Mikie because she is battle tested — she has a strong track record of standing up to Trump and Musk expand access to safe and affordable housing and build opportunities for working families in our state,” stated Noemi Velazquez chair of Latina Civic PAC’s Endorsements Committee “Mikie has also long demonstrated her commitment to increasing representation in New Jersey by working hard to elect Latino candidates and women from all backgrounds up and down the ballot.” The non-partisan Latina Civic PAC seeks to engage Latinas in the political process and increase their numbers in elected and appointed offices Four candidates sought the group’s endorsement: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka “The Latino community will have a seat at the table as I work to better support small business owners so they have the resources they need to succeed and as we work together to address the disparities with state contracts to Latino businesses,” said Sherrill “And with the chaos and cruelty coming from Trump’s Washington we’ll work together to protect the Constitution and the rule of law as we chart a different path forward here in New Jersey.” Velazquez is a Jersey City school board president who mounted an unsuccessful bid for the State Assembly as an independent in the 31st district in 2023 Story by Eric Jay Toll/Special to GCU NewsTuesday slideshow / Tuesday livestream Selina Ravae Cardenas-Toledo went back to work bartending right after having her daughter But “I still felt like there was something missing and that I knew I wasn't going to be doing this for the rest of my life,” she said That realization set the young, single mother from California on a mission toward a bachelor's in sociology, a master's in mental health and wellness, and, as of Tuesday, a doctorate, all online from Grand Canyon University She received her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership With an Emphasis in Behavioral Health and is among GCU's 2024-25 graduating class of 31,104 students Cardenas-Toledo continues up the career ladder as a children’s social worker for Los Angeles County “I’m not only part of the 1% of the population with (doctorates) I’m part of the 1% of Ph.D.s who are Latinas was the role model for her to achieve her goals and dreams “I never wanted to struggle with my child,” she said I can't just go into something else I need to do.” She said furthering her education was the only way to do more and start a career her sister was attending GCU on the Phoenix campus Her sister referred her to the college so that they could each receive a school T-shirt the former community college attendee’s life changed when she scrolled through her email one night and saw the referral from her sister “I always knew I wanted to get into some sort of social service capacity,” she said she was not going to be able to attend GCU in person “I started online classes and I just didn’t stop,” Cardenas-Toledo said but … there was some light at the end of the tunnel for me I was actually doing something that I enjoyed doing I felt like I was starting to find my purpose.” Even though her academic career was online she had to power through childhood trauma that also included an identity crisis with her Latino heritage “If you told me 10 years ago that I would actually be graduating with my doctorate I would always go and watch the commencement ceremonies every year just to give me motivation.” she just wanted to quit because it seemed too much I would just watch the commencement ceremonies,” Cardenas-Toledo said “I remember they were introducing the doctoral candidates ‘Why wouldn't you think you would be capable?’ And I'm like ‘Why am I counting myself out?’ Why wouldn't I be able to embark on my own doctoral journey?” she recounted “I didn't know how hard it was going to be and I didn't know it was going to take so long I didn't think about all the logistics of it but the next day I just sent an e-mail to … a counselor She said that GCU helped her map out her education program and find her purpose from the beginning Cardenas-Toledo believes she transcended into the person she was always meant to be: a mother a mentor and an advocate to help people with her story so they don’t count themselves out She touts the flexibility and how GCU helps students balance their lives and pursue a path from the array of programs for something that interests them She encourages anyone she can to consider returning to school and you can also pursue higher education," Cardenas-Toledo said and I have nothing but good things to say about what GCU has done for me.” Phoenix-based Eric Jay Toll is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer covering business His work has appeared in such publications as the Phoenix Business Journal and USA Today GCU News: Doctoral graduate earns green light on traffic stop study GCU News: Solid mechanics of dissertation earns engineer 1st dissertation of the year award GCU News: Grand Canyon University wraps up 75th anniversary year with largest number of graduates in its history Luna Celebrates Promotion as 42nd Postmaster The United States Postal Service proudly honors Maricela “Marci” Luna as the first Mexican-American Latina to serve as Postmaster of Los Angeles since the city’s postal establishment in 1850 Her appointment marks a historic milestone making her the 42nd Postmaster in Los Angeles and celebrating her lasting contributions to the local community General population: Please register your attendance at https://forms.office.com/g/w2v9EkLT0j Media Guest: Send all media requests for rsvp, to Natashi Garvins via email at natashi.l.garvins@usps.gov Maricela Luna’s appointment as Los Angeles’ 42nd—and first Mexican-American Latina—Postmaster marks a historic milestone for the United States Postal Service coinciding with its 175th anniversary of service in the city With a distinguished record of progressive leadership and a deep commitment to operational excellence Luna has dedicated her career to driving innovation and fostering inclusivity within the organization Her rise within USPS reflects a relentless pursuit of higher standards setting a benchmark for public service and serving as a catalyst for greater diversity in leadership roles Luna’s achievements underscore a broader commitment to progress and inclusiveness Her groundbreaking appointment not only celebrates her individual accomplishments but also serves as an inspiration for future generations—particularly within the Mexican-American This historic recognition strengthens public trust and contributes to the continued evolution of service excellence in Los Angeles and beyond This Cinco de Mayo-themed event will feature the official Postmaster installation ceremony While Postmaster installation ceremonies are typically open to the public The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America restore long-term financial sustainability dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage products and services to fund its operations Copyright© 2025 United States Postal Service Latina Civic PAC Announces Support for Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill For New Jersey Governor 2025 – New Jersey’s leading statewide Latina organization seeking to increase Latina representation in government and politics Latina Civic Political Action Committee (“Latina Civic PAC”) proudly announces their support of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for Governor “Latina Civic PAC is proud to endorse Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and mom raising her four kids here in New Jersey We’re supporting Mikie because she is battle tested — she has a strong track record of standing up to Trump and Musk “Mikie has also long demonstrated her commitment to increasing representation in New Jersey by working hard to elect Latino candidates and women from all backgrounds up and down the ballot We are confident that Mikie will draw from her proven skills and experiences to lead our state as governor with intellect Congresswoman Sherrill is a powerful voice for Latinos with a proven track record of pursuing policies to level the playing field for women and the Latino community As the representative for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District she has consistently championed issues important to Latino families her support for Latina candidates for office speaks to her commitment to ensuring all tables where policies are discussed have equal representation Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of the contributions and challenges facing our communities across the state and as Governor she will continue to ensure our voices are heard “It’s a true honor to be endorsed by Latina Civic PAC which has done incredible work in New Jersey increasing Latina representation in public office But we all know there’s much more progress we need to make — and as governor my administration will reflect the rich diversity of New Jersey,” Congresswoman Sherrill stated and as we work together to address the disparities with state contracts to Latino businesses And with the chaos and cruelty coming from Trump’s Washington Latina Civic PAC is a non-partisan political action committee whose mission is to increase the number of Latinas in elected and appointed offices in the State of New Jersey The organization promotes and supports progressive leaders who stand up for an agenda that invests in Latina political leadership and advances critical issues that matter to Latinas in New Jersey I would like to receive emails from Insider NJ the Cuban head of State started his activities honoring the defenders of the city of Leningrad (today St chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St held official talks to discuss the prospects for bilateral cooperation in economy the Cuban president will also visit scientific and artificial intelligence development centers in the capital of northern Russia In the second stage of his official visit to this nation the Cuban leader will travel to Moscow where he will take part in the commemorative acts and parade at the Red Square for the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany He will also participate in the celebrations organized on the 65th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Russia and Cuba | Text SMS to 8100 with content PLReceive 4 mesages x 25 cup © 2016-2021 Prensa Latina Latin American News Agency Radio – Publications  – Videos – News by the minute.All Rigts Reserved Web Site developed by IT Division  Prensa Latina The City of Irvine will host the third annual Fiesta Latina en Irvine at Great Park on Sunday The event honors the generations of Latin American individuals and heroes who have positively influenced and enriched our nation Fiesta Latina en Irvine observes Hispanic Heritage Month inviting the community to learn about the histories and contributions of Hispanic Americans through music This family-friendly event includes education Local community partners will be in attendance to support the event and share organizational information and resources This event is free, open to all ages, and no registration is required. View photos of the 2023 Fiesta Latina en Irvine Event Flier Apply to participate as a sponsor, vendor, or entertainment here Media Kit The City of Irvine is committed to honoring traditional and culturally-relevant events that highlight the City’s diverse and multicultural community. Each month the City highlights cultural celebrations and religious holidays through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion spotlight. For more information about these remembrances and to learn about the City’s We Are Irvine campaign, please visit weareirvine.org interactive community experience at the State of the Great Park and envision the exciting future of the Great Park The City of Irvine invites the community to attend the swearing-in ceremony for Councilmember-elect Betty Martinez Franco Tuesday at the Irvine City Hall Council Chamber in collaboration with Community Action Partnership of Orange County is offering a free grocery food box for qualifying residents Each eligible resident receives a box of food weighing approximately 30 pounds.  View All Community Services Department Events (KERO) — The 4th Annual Latina Maternal Health Fair was held at Cal State University bringing together families and health advocates A wide array of tools and services were available to mothers and families at the fourth annual Maternal Health Fair emphasized the importance of access to maternal resources “In our community we have a lot of mothers who don’t know what resources there are out there so having an event like this gives an opportunity for them to see all the resources that we have here in Bakersfield,” Avilahansen said Avilahansen said it’s crucial for new and expecting mothers to understand their bodies and events like this help provide that education it’s really dynamic and we have joints back here at each side of our sacrum and our pubic bone,” she added Families from across Kern County attended the fair who recently gave birth to her first child I didn’t realize that was the event of a lifetime,” Holder said sharing that she is now 30 days sober after battling drug addiction since she was 14 a life change she made for her baby daughter attended in support of causes that hit close to home Bazan said she came in memory of her cousin who died during pregnancy due to hospital negligence [I'm] here to support the cause of today’s events and your life is only one life you wanna live it to the fullest,” Bazan said Organizers said they hope the fair continues to empower mothers with access to care helping to ensure healthier futures for families across Kern County The aim is to assess progress and opportunities to strengthen bilateral economic ties the Cambodia Royal Government Spokesperson Unit informed Senior officials from both countries met virtually on May 2 to discuss the status of ongoing work and coordinate efforts ahead of formal negotiations The Cambodian delegation was led by Sun Chanthol Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) Assistant Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific This new round of negotiations underscores Cambodia’s continued effort to attract investment and expand market access as part of its economic diplomacy strategy Lula will participate in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in World War II This is the most important celebration in Russia with a great civic-military parade in Moscow Both presidents will hold a bilateral meeting during the visit the Brazilian president will head to China where he will attend several issues on May 12 and 13 Lula will participate in the IV China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum scheduled between Lula and his Chinese counterpart will take place in the midst of the escalating trade war between the United States and China will focus on the US decision and its implications for the Malaysian economy according to the agenda posted on Parliament’s website Anwar will explain the government’s response across different ministries and sectors as well as the coordination of short- and medium-term solutions including the review of existing policies for certain industries He will also address long-term economic plans to mitigate the impact of the international trade war and ensure the resilience of the Malaysian economy parliamentarians will have the opportunity to seek clarifications and express their views to which the relevant ministers will respond The special session of Parliament was convened at the request of the Prime Minister on April 24 to address urgent matters of public interest The Indian Defense Ministry informed that this meeting is a follow-up to their first interaction in the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Defense Ministers’ Meeting held in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in November 2024 The military institution stressed that India-Japan friendship gained qualitative momentum after establishing collaboration in the Special and Global Strategic Partnership category in 2014 The release stated that defense and security are important pillars of ties between the two countries The Ministry underscored that bilateral defense exchanges have strengthened in the last few years due to growing convergence on strategic issues their importance increases thanks to the common perspective on peace Body: According to the most recent financial stability report published by the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) the performance of the National Financial System remains robust compared to last year leveraged by the growth of public deposits with credit growing at double-digit year-over-year rates The BCN notes that prudential solvency and liquidity indicators indicate that banks remain well capitalized and have adequate levels of liquidity credit quality and the profitability of their establishments remain stable The report adds that the evolution of national financial markets remains stable and there is an increase in foreign exchange market operations The political criticism extends to business sectors and even to groups promoting capitalism and the far right who see an opportunity to strengthen their positions in the massacre committed by armed illegal miners in the province of Pataz the Fuerza Popular party accused the government of keeping the military forces sent to that province to restore order in a passive and background role and announced that it will request that Congress impeach Defense Minister Walter Astudillo more than 20 members of Congress signed a motion of censure against Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén hoping to secure 33 votes for the motion to be debated in parliament the motion will force the resignation of the impeached Prime Minister Adrianzén is the focus of criticism because when relatives were calling for a search for those kidnapped by illegal miners on April 25th he questioned the veracity of the disappearance and said he had not received any complaints The motion against the Minister was signed by legislators from various political parties—left “What happened in Pataz is a tragedy that highlights the neglect and lack of concrete action on security,” Montoya said “A president and her ministers who fail to act against violence cannot remain in office,” said Robles adding that the massacre is the result of legal amendments favorable to crime enacted by Congress with the approval of the Executive Branch President Gabriel Boric presented an eight-member team made up of representatives from indigenous communities and the political the foundations will be laid for a lasting and sustainable solution to a long-standing conflict,” the president said on that occasion After nearly two years of voluntary work the commissioners reached a 22-point agreement by a large majority that proposes the return of lands to the communities and economic development in the Southern Macrozone One of the commission’s commitments includes the return of more than 240,000 hectares to indigenous peoples as territorial reparations While the commission’s executive secretary and several politicians considered the agreement historic representatives of the right and far right have already spoken out against it particularly regarding the return of lands Opposition legislators have even announced their possible rejection in Congress The Arauco Malleco Coordinator (CAM) published a statement saying that as long as militarization and Mapuche political prisoners exist it is not even possible to initiate dialogues that would lead to agreements Although the Mapuche people have been victims of dispossession since the Spanish conquest the most recent conflict began in 1850 when the state and the oligarchy invaded their territories south of the Biobío River the occupation continued in the following years especially during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) many of these lands were granted to European settlers Zelensky bought the war,” Fico stated at a press conference the continuation of the conflict is very important to the Ukrainian leader and he believes that this agreement has somewhat hindered US efforts to achieve peace The conclusion of this agreement likely indicates a continuation of the conflict and its possible escalation Washington and Kyiv signed an agreement on Ukraine’s natural resources for the creation of an investment fund for Ukraine’s recovery Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the agreement demonstrates the United States’ long-term commitment to the peace process indicated that Zelensky misled the United States with the resource agreement as extracting the minerals in Ukraine will cost many times more than their potential market value The decision to raise relations to a new level in response to the rapidly changing global political and economic situation was shared by Dissanayaka and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam both sides expressed their satisfaction with the sustainable development of the traditional friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries over the past 55 years based on deep strategic trust and close cooperation in various areas Friendship and mutual understanding are a solid foundation for continuing to effectively exploit each country’s potential and elevating relations to a new level They also called for expanding defense and security cooperation making this area a new pillar of bilateral ties who praised Sri Lanka’s active role in the UN and welcomed its willingness to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) affirmed that Vietnam is willing to support Sri Lanka in its economic and social development applauded this initiative and assured that it will facilitate investment by Vietnamese companies in Sri Lanka’s strategic sectors Both sides also agreed to expand collaboration in the areas of agriculture as well as to promote the early opening of a direct air route between the two nations The maximum security federal penitentiary located on a San Francisco island was closed in 1963 and now Trump wants to rebuild it and regain its functions to “house America’s most ruthless and violent criminals.” who will never bring anything but misery and suffering,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform He also expressed that “we will no longer tolerate these serial offenders who sow filth bloodshed and chaos in our streets.” “That is why today (yesterday) I will order the Bureau of Prisons to reopen a substantially expanded and rebuilt ALCATRAZ to house America’s most ruthless and violent Criminals,” he stated on the Internet platform which last century housed notorious gangsters such as Machine Gun Kelly or Al Capone a piece of news that immediately received criticism Araghchi arrived Sunday evening and was received by Additional Secretary for West Asia Syed Asad Gillani as informed by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) meetings are planned with Pakistani leaders and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar According to a statement from Islamabad the visit reflects the deep and solid relationship between Pakistan and Iran It also underscores the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest Araghchi’s visit to Islamabad comes amid the India-Pakistan crisis in which Iran has proposed acting as a mediator for regional and international well-being which considers both countries as brotherly neighbors with deep cultural and historical ties will also pay an official visit to India this week following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people escalating with continued exchanges of fire on the shared border and the implementation of new punitive measures The date marks the victory of local troops in their struggle against the occupation of fascist Italy It commemorates the end of the invasion and the return of Emperor Haile Selassie (1930-1974) to Addis Ababa on May 5 symbolizing the defense of national sovereignty Ahmed acknowledged that although Ethiopia achieved political freedom 84 years ago the nation continues to face challenges such as poverty and underdevelopment He called for a second generation of patriots who work to complete independence and address these modern challenges through peaceful means Patriots’ Victory Day is celebrated across the country including the traditional ceremony at the Arat Kilo Monument in Addis Ababa where citizens gather to honor the memory of those who fought to defend Ethiopian sovereignty Jacqueline Robles makes history as Holyoke Community College’s first Latina police chief (Holyoke Community College Police Department Photo)courtesy .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Aprell May Munford | AMunford@repub.comHOLYOKE — Springfield native Jacqueline Robles is set to make history as the first Latina police chief at Holyoke Community College “It’s exciting to be the first female Latina in this role and I look forward to being a role model for young women and men particularly from the Latino community,” Robles said Holyoke Community College will hold its first oath-of-office ceremony on Monday at 10:30 a.m A reception will follow in the Frost Building I believe Chief Robles will further strengthen the college’s new commitment to community policing and friends of the college feel supported and secure,” said Marlowe Washington The HCC Police Department currently has about 15 members People often think of police departments as municipal HCC police officers certified by the state’s POST Commission “They are sworn officers who carry weapons and perform all the duties that city or town police do When developing the job description for the next police chief Washington said the college wanted someone who not only had the technical skills of policing but also the interpersonal skills to relate to people and promote inclusion Despite conducting a thorough nationwide search and considering well over a dozen applicants it ultimately came down to choosing from within the department’s own ranks “(Robles) fit that bill perfectly and was the obvious choice,” Washington said “We were looking for someone who could help heal our campus He said sometimes all people see is blue uniforms and they can’t see the person behind that uniform “But truly these men and women that we have you know the private the kindest of men and women in our department,” Washington said Robles excels at bringing people to the table and being kind but also knows how to switch that kindness off depending on the situation Washington said Robles was a well-suited candidate for the top cop position because she has supervisory experience and knows where all the skeletons are on campus “She is familiar with the ins and outs and understands the politics and culture of the campus,” he said “That’s the kind of leader we need at this point at this time for the campus in order to bring about a different type of policing to the campus Washington said that this new language emphasizes how people relate to one another focusing on treating each other with kindness and trust Robles’ 22 years on the job is nothing to sneeze about and when the road was tough “We’ve had some challenges as a department During that time’ people left but (Robles) never gave up A part of why we selected her is the idea that she had staying power and she perseveres through all of the crisis I often think that (Robles) is a person who doesn’t run away from crisis Robles will be the police chief and executive director of community safety who has been serving as interim police chief at HCC since October 2024 10/21/2020 -Holyoke- View of Holyoke Community College Robles was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield She is fluent in Spanish and believes that because the department serves a very diverse community “it only makes sense to have someone in the department who mirrors the people we serve,” she said Robles said her mother moved her to Bayamon I realized it was the best thing my mom ever did for me and learned to speak and write Spanish very well,” she said she said being fluent in Spanish has been beneficial at work as being bilingual has helped her aid others with language barriers guiding them through transitions or assisting them when they needed help I offered to accompany them to the courthouse and provide support,” she said Robles graduated from Holyoke High School and Springfield Technical Community College She comes from a family of police officers following three brothers and a sister into law enforcement After getting her associate degree in criminal justice from STCC Robles started as a security officer at Smith College Robles said that back in the mid to late ’80s which was more like public safety security she said the HCC Police Department was developed When Robles joined HCC in 2002 as a patrol officer The department became armed in 2013 for many reasons One was an increased awareness of societal dangers and issues particularly around the time of the Columbine High School shooting “What happened at the time our chief put it into play Luckily the college agreed and were supportive of that initiative As time goes by things change people change but even through so much change the campus police adapted Robles was promoted to sergeant where she supervised police officers She helped start a cadet program for HCC criminal justice students Robles said the department receives calls similar to those handled by municipal police “We handle everything from motor vehicle accidents to domestic calls drug-related issues are still part of society,” she said One of the things Robles is looking forward to is getting the department accredited and more involved with the campus community “I would love to offer training to everyone get some of our police certified and having the community come out and join us Our approach is very humanity-based policing most professional service we can as a college community,” Robles said Robles said she is looking to empower as many people as she can especially women of color and the Latino community She also wants to show her children that if they work hard they can achieve anything they set their minds to Her oldest son is a court officer in Worcester Robles said she was fortunate to have had many role models growing up or still active in policing she said she is eager to get started elected officials and members of the Holyoke Community College community along with over 30 of Robles’ family members are expected to attend Monday’s ceremony Police chiefs from several state community colleges and Holyoke While Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan has not previously worked with Robles a recently retired Springfield narcotics detective “I’d like to congratulate Chief Robles on her promotion She is dedicated public servant and will serve the Holyoke Community College campus well,” Keenan said and we will assist in any way that will help keep our entire community safe.” Around 75% of colleges and universities in the country have a campus police department Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Latina actresses have long stood out for their talent From Hollywood premieres to global film festivals these remarkable women captivate audiences across cultures Whether through their powerful performances they’ve earned lasting admiration and influence Today’s leading Latina actresses embody a dynamic mix of elegance Their cultural backgrounds enrich their roles and deepen their global appeal and role models for aspiring artists around the world Let’s explore some of the most accomplished Latina actresses who continue to shape film and television with their talent and drive – and learn where fans can follow their journeys and creative work online Sofia Vergara is a Colombian actress best known for her breakout role in Modern Family she remains one of the most recognizable Latina celebrities today It’s part of who I am and why people love me,” declared Vergara Mexican actress Salma Hayek has earned critical acclaim for her powerful performances in films like Frida and Desperado she blends beauty with substance and continues to be a strong advocate for representation Eva Mendes has captivated audiences through both cinema and high-profile fashion campaigns Known for her poised elegance and thoughtful roles she has established herself as one of the most enduring and respected Latina actresses in the industry has made a strong mark in Hollywood with roles in Baby Driver and Ambulance Her growing body of work reflects both her versatility and her commitment to dynamic Cuban actress Ana de Armas continues to impress global audiences with her nuanced performances Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde revealed her dramatic range and proved she is one of today’s most compelling international talents According to readers: The most admired latina stars (survey results) Fans around the world were polled by several entertainment publications to share their picks for the most admired Latina actresses The results reveal a mix of rising stars and established icons Argentinian actress Camila Morrone emerged as a top pick among readers. Her effortless style and impressive performances mark her as a rising force in Hollywood. (Fun fact: Argentina brides are known for their beauty and charm) No list of influential Latina actresses would be complete without J.Lo Readers praised her for her lasting appeal Puerto Rican actress Roselyn Sánchez gained strong support for her work in Devious Maids and other projects continues to attract fans with her performances in both mainstream and indie films Her growing recognition reflects her range and charisma With Mexican roots and a successful career in both music and acting Becky G earned a place on the list as a standout voice of her generation Readers highlighted her energy and cultural pride Qualities that make latina actresses truly magnetic Latina actresses are admired globally not only for their presence but also for their dynamic personalities Here are a few of the qualities that make them truly captivating: For those drawn to the values and qualities exemplified by Latina actresses, various online platforms offer pathways to connect with Latin women for marriage, seeking meaningful relationships These international dating services emphasise compatibility Participants on such platforms often come from countries like Argentina and many express interest in long-term commitments grounded in mutual respect and connection Latina women – whether actresses on screen or individuals in real life – leave a lasting impression through their strength Their influence extends beyond entertainment “Beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin and embracing your culture.” Celebrate and appreciate the remarkable qualities of Latina women – and explore meaningful ways to connect and learn more 13feb6:00 p.m.9:00 p.m.Graphic Voices of Latin America: Latin American Posters by Gráfica Latina & La Linternaat the WaterFire Arts Center, Thursday, February 13 – Sunday, March 23, 2025 known for its striking movable-type posters By amplifying the voices of Latin American and Latinx designers Gráfica Latina explores the ways in which graphic design has shaped and responded to the region’s dynamic social and political landscapes this exciting series of events accompanies Graphic Voices of Latin America at the WaterFire Arts Center featuring the master printers of La Linterna Each event highlights the rich tradition of Latin American printmaking celebrating the artistry and cultural impact of La Linterna and the broader graphic arts movement Graphic Voices of Latin America is part of the research project Gráfica Latina a digital and mobile poster archive of Latin American and Latinx graphic design The Latin American Posters have been curated by Gráfica Latina to speak about the social and political contexts in which these posters were—or/and still are— created from Patagonia to the Andes The show presents the work by graphic artists and designers from Argentina The show represents a diversity of printing techniques and messaging ranging from cultural to political All are welcome to the opening reception on Thursday The WaterFire Arts Center store + gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday WaterFire Arts Center 475 Valley Street RI 02908(401) 273-1155Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pmWednesday through Sunday Open at the WaterFire Arts Center10:00 am – 5:00 pmWednesday through Sundayand Thursdays until 9:00 pmCall for info (401) 443-5553 Our online store is always open for your shopping convenience Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" WaterFire Providence is a 501(c)3 nonprofit | Providence © 1994 – 2022 WaterFire is a copyrighted work of art created and owned by Barnaby Evans WaterFire® and WaterFire Providence® are registered trademarks of Barnaby Evans and are used under license WaterFire logo and variations © 1997 by Barnaby Evans Website content © WaterFire Providence® 1997 – 2023 El Tecolote In the process of becoming Acción Latina’s next leader I had to miss my final interview — my dad had a stroke I dropped everything and drove back home to Modesto to help prepare for my father’s last days Some of it was self-inflicted — but much of it was shaped by the harsh realities of being an immigrant in this country As I sat with the weight of everything he carried I realized that I had the opportunity to step into a role that could create change for people like him It’s this reality — the quiet grief and daily resilience of our community — that grounds me in this work and fuels my commitment to Acción Latina’s mission: to defend These communities deserve to have their stories told — in the El Tecolote newspaper at Encuentro’s concert stage and during the Paseo Artistico arts walk — especially at a time when we are facing mounting political and cultural attacks I’m taking on this role after years of working to advance equity and economic justice I served as the proud publisher of the fiercely independent 48Hills newsroom I worked as a legislative aide at San Francisco City Hall and organized on the ground — most notably for the Student Success Fund a city initiative that brought critical resources into public schools serving our community’s most vulnerable children coming to Acción Latina is also a full-circle moment My parents built their lives here in the Bay Area and the Mission District is where they found their first sense of community — the same neighborhoods and people who helped us find belonging Taking on this role feels like a way to pay that forward If I had to name one goal for my time as Acción Latina’s director To make sure San Francisco’s Latino communities are not just seen — but heard resourced and defended through bold journalism and vibrant cultural work researchers from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks and UCLA have charted the economic success of Latinos in the United States Now they've uncovered what they describe as an even bigger success story: that of Latinas who outpace both their Latino male and non-Latino peers in a number of economic measures Oxnard College hosted an event April 15 on the first Latina GDP report with remarks by two of the authors: Matthew Fienup the executive director of CLU's Center for Economic Research and Forecasting; and David Hayes-Bautista the director of the Center for Latino Health and Culture at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Their team is also behind the Latino GDP report which looks at the economic contributions of all Hispanic residents of the United States Both studies have found a number of what Fienup called "economic premiums" — areas where Latinos perform better than the rest of the country such as labor force participation and growth in total economic output "No matter how impressive those premiums seem when we apply this methodology and calculate the U.S we find premiums that are even larger," Fienup said produced by Latinas in the United States was $1.3 trillion in 2021 the most recent year for which complete statistics are available GDP refers to the value of all goods and services produced in an economy Latinas means that if they were a state of their own its economy would be slightly bigger than Florida's and smaller than only California Even more impressive is the growth in Latinas' economic productivity the Latina GDP grew at an average of 3.8% per year faster than that of Latino men and of the U.S which grew at a rate of 1.8% per year in that period Latinas with a bachelor's degree or higher hit 3.9 million more than double the total 11 years earlier the number of non-Hispanic women with bachelor's degrees grew by 38% And Latinas are more likely than other women in the U.S to work outside the home: More than 60% of Latinas were in the labor force in 2021 women in labor force participation in 2010 and have been widening the gap ever since Perhaps related to their gains in education and workforce participation Latinas saw their incomes grow by 46% from 2010 to 2021 a growth rate that was 2.5 times that of non-Hispanic women in the U.S In a panel discussion that followed Fienup's and Bautista's presentations said a growing number of her clients are Latina business owners including one who owns a construction company women who are not having the traditional roles we think of but who are expanding and broadening themselves," she said Bautista drew a line between the current economic success of Latinas and 300 years of Spanish rule of what is now Mexico and the southern and western United States In the English colonies and the early United States married women were economically controlled by their husbands married women could own property and businesses and enter into contracts on their own and they kept those rights when those territories became part of the United States He pointed to the first documented Latina businesswoman in the New World: Francisca de Vera in the 1880s that showed that "Latinas were grocers Latinas is tied to the last major wave of Hispanic immigration to the United States and their daughters are far exceeding their parents in terms of educational and professional accomplishments Her mother came to the United States from Mexico as part of the bracero program for farm workers and never had any formal education while Calderon is now an assistant principal at Channel Islands High School "I am who I am because of my mother," Calderon said even if she never had an opportunity to attend school she took it upon herself to learn to read and write When I decided to become a high school teacher I told her but you're going to have a teacher in your family.'" Tony Biasotti is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tbiasotti@vcstar.com This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism CLaSE – Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish Language Excellence News and Announcements Posted in: CLaSE the Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish Language Excellence (CLaSE) came together to celebrate the vibrant presence and powerful stories of Latinos and Latinas employees at Montclair State University This celebration was part of a project led by HOLA – Historia Oral de los Latinos y Archivo Digital and the first Latino Oral History program at Montclair Below are remarks from Antonella Calarota-Ninman Director of the Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish language Excellence At HOLA, students are at the heart of everything we do. In our Spanish classes, students conduct oral history interviews, while our fellows edit the recordings, create subtitles, and prepare bilingual transcripts—so the stories can be heard and read in both Spanish and English on our website It’s about identifying which communities we want to spotlight—giving them space and open doors for collective learning and empathy We’ve gathered stories from Indigenous Latin American communities students interviewed their own family members We realized how many students had never heard the full story of their parents or grandparents—what they sacrificed Alongside those emotional revelations were also stories of triumph last semester we turned our attention inward—to the very people who make Montclair State what it is We asked: What about the Latino employees right here on campus The staff and faculty whose roots span the beautiful range of Latin America—from North and Central America to South America and the Caribbean We honored the unique ways in which their Latino and Latina experiences enrich our university—bringing depth I personally listened to nearly every story collected And what I heard was nothing short of inspiring I heard voices reflecting on the challenges of navigating higher education as first-generation college students—and now they’re here mentoring the next generation I heard stories filled with warmth and human connection—words like dialogue the delicious taste of home was present too: encebollado we learned how knowing another language it gives you a power it’s a powerful agility that no one can have He says: “You are moving between systems of thoughts It’s like a movement of the mind.” He used an analogy with soccer that I am sure another big aficionado of soccer “knowing another language (in whatever capacity and level) it’s like a dribble that not everybody can do I learned that you can go from being the first in your family to pursue higher education to becoming a thought leader in conscious leadership I learned that you can live for years in another continent without speaking Spanish—and yet still ache for your language and culture because it lives in your veins and rests in your heart I learned that we are all a mosaic of identities and you believe in your vision—you can make it happen Another attendee told us the day after the event: “I went from sitting at a dinner where the conversations were filled with anxiety and uncertainty about immigration and the future—leaving me feeling like I wanted to hide—to Monday night event filled with pride wanting to shout my Venezuelan identity from the rooftops I felt good again about where I come from.” We are a team of five professors from different departments and colleges: Raul Galoppe (Spanish and Latino Studies) We are also proud to work alongside two exceptional HOLA fellows: Mica Pesantez and Crystal Tejada-Breton CLASE Montclair State University Policies Return to Top and chisme as we count down to the 2025 Latina Comedy Festival with our 1/2 Way to the Festival Show This special event brings together some of the funniest Latina/e/x comedians and honorary locas to raise funds for the biggest and boldest Latina comedy fest in the country the first Latina Comedy Festival was a ‘Marathon Show’ of over 15 of Chicagoland’s funniest Latina comedians We’re bringing this format back for a non-stop action packed comedy show with the funniest locas you know We need your support to make the 4th Annual Latina Comedy Festival this October 2nd-4th 2025 a reality so spread the word and get your tix today Kat Diaz (Buena Onda) & More Top Latina Comedians from Chicagoland Learn more about the 2025 Latina Comedy Festival at latinacomedyfestival.com Buy your tickets in advance!* For more info about Las Locas Comedy please visit laslocascomedy.com and follow us on social media at @laslocascomedy Las Locas Comedy reserves the right to make changes to the comic lineup as needed Return to events calendar More info Sign up Get the guide Contact us © 2025 Choose Chicago. All rights reserved.Privacy policy | Your privacy choices | Terms of use | Sitemap I am not ashamed to admit that I am a social media addict; my weekly screen time average for TikTok is 10 hours, Instagram is 7, and Pinterest (because Pinterest is a valid form of social media, but that’s an argument for a different day) is 5. When TikTok was banned in the United States for 12 hours I found myself so much more productive than I have ever been in my life: I cleaned my dorm did my readings for SOC1101 like 2 weeks in advance and even finished my MATH1920 problem set in one sitting (hard to believe I found myself reflecting not just on how much time I spend on TikTok and other social media but also on the content that I was consuming And I realized something — once you look past the Shein hauls there’s something much more complicated happening on our explore pages: social media has become ground zero for  a new movement to rebrand waterdown and westernize Black and Latino cultures in order to make them mass-marketable.  When these Latino recipes are prepared and served by the people they originated from mainstream media is quick to dismiss them as gross as soon as outside groups — who are almost always white — take it and present it as their own authentic “creation,” they are quick to receive thousand dollar brand deals glowing media coverage and praise for coming up with the next big health trend.  Beauty aesthetics that have long been rooted in Black and Latino communities have been stripped of their cultural roots and rebranded as a go-to “clean girl” look by white social media influencers these fashion and make-up trends have negatively been viewed as “unprofessional,” “trashy” and “distracting” when worn by Black and Latina women when they are worn by the right (read: white) influencer they are suddenly deemed worthy of Vogue write-ups and Sephora shelves.  An argument could be made that these trends are ultimately harmless and even a form of cultural appreciation How much “appreciation” is actually being shown to Black and Latina communities if recognition and respect isn't awarded to these trends until they are completely stripped of their cultural roots and divorced from the Black and Latina women who popularized them makeup styles and dishes have always been viewed as vibrant stylish and popular by their respective communities it’s just that mainstream social media couldn’t acknowledge this until they were filtered through a white lens So when these trends blow up on TikTok or Instagram by white it should be seen for what it truly is: exploitation.  favor white creators and whitewashed content in order to maximize their own profit they are ultimately contributing to a larger movement to erase Black and Latino culture from American media.  I understand the desire to use social media as an escape there are days where all I want to do is mindlessly scroll on TikTok for hours in order to find some relief from the real world nothing can exist devoid of context; social media reflects systemic inequalities we see in the real world and the truth is that these trends from Black and Latino cultures have always existed and been popular Leslie Monter-Casio is a freshman in the College of Engineering UC Riverside study finds family obligations hindered academic performances Latina college students often juggle responsibilities that extend beyond attending classes such as caring for younger siblings and aging parents as well as contributing financially to their households These additional responsibilities contributed to a disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their academic performance a study by UC Riverside scholars and administrators has found While all college students lost ground on average the study found Latina students at UC Riverside were particularly affected by the pandemic These setbacks followed remarkable gains for Latino and Latina students including a 50% increase in college enrollment nationwide between 2009 and 2019 an associate professor of practice at UCR’s School of Education "Latinas and Latinos had really gained a lot," Victorino said "There was almost a doubling of enrollment Latina and Latinos students both lost ground in terms of courses completed and grades but Latina setbacks were greater than female students from other demographic groups "We weren’t initially looking at Latina students specifically," Victorino said "We were trying to understand why all students were taking fewer units after the pandemic it became clear that Latina students were uniquely affected." Latina students earned an average of 13.44 college credits—nearly one credit less than other female UCR students Their grade point averages also dropped just below 3.0 in fall 2021 even after UCR resumed in-person classes in fall 2021 Latina students continued to enroll in fewer courses than their female peers Latinas also more frequently opted for online classes over in-person instruction Victorino said that online courses provide fewer opportunities for engagement than in-person classes benefit from being in a physical classroom where they can interact with peers and faculty," she said "We need to be careful about offering online classes as the default They might be more convenient for faculty and administrators but they don’t work for every student—especially those facing multiple pressures at home." the study authors conducted interviews with several Latina students at UCR "They just faced multiple pressures," Victorino said "They experience the ‘perfect daughter’ expectation—that you are in school One student described to the researchers the weight of these expectations: "I feel like a lot of Latina daughters have this experience where they’re kind of like the glue that holds the family together." Others described their roles as family mediators or translators with their families relying on them as breadwinners One student said she was her parents' "retirement plan." The study’s authors provided recommendations to help address these challenges: •    Limit Online-Only Instruction: While online learning is useful for some students institutions should be cautious about expanding online courses without considering their impact on student success •    Address Financial and Family Pressures: Universities should recognize that many Latina students balance academic work with significant family obligations Offering childcare services or financial-planning resources could help ease these pressures “Latin* Student Success After the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was published in the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education tel: (951) 827-1012 email: webmaster@ucr.edu 2024) – The New York Red Bulls will host Noche Latina on Saturday at Red Bull Arena as they take on Atlanta United FC The night celebrates Latino culture and heritage with talent on and off the pitch including great entertainment The match will be held during Hispanic Heritage Month in recognition of the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans in the United States Fans can arrive early and enjoy various activities for all ages at the BULLevard in front of Red Bull Arena including a special Mariachi performance local Ironbound DJ ROD brings a varied mix of Latin fans can enjoy a tasteful wine and food pairing experience with Sip Enjoy a curated tasting experience with four exquisite wine pairings and actress from New York who will sing the national anthem She was hand-selected by Gloria Estefan to star on Broadway as Little Gloria in "On Your Feet" and recently played Frenchy in the television show "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies." The singer of Puerto Rican descent took the world by storm in the early 2000s with hits like Uh Oooh She has been featured on the FIFA World Cup soundtrack and performed at Red Bull Culture Clash NYC The celebration of Noche Latina will continue with various in-game elements throughout the arena with co-host Denise Gonzales The first 12,500 fans into Red Bull Arena will receive a free mini-flag Tickets can be purchased here Half-Time Performace by the Queen of Harlem Your pass to the ultimate experience at Sports Illustrated Stadium - with all the benefits of a Red Membership - including the remaining 11 Regular Season matches Playoffs and more - starting at just $99 per month Score the highly-anticipated Eastern Conference match against Inter Miami CF plus any three -- or more -- additional matches of your choice This weekend, the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery comes alive with DJ sets, performance art, and live mural painting during the opening reception for Latina and Latinx MN: Re/claiming Space in Times of Change The exhibition features 42 Latina women and non-binary Latinx Minnesota-based artists with ancestral roots in Latin America and themes that center and celebrate a diverse group of Latina and Latinx artists from across the state The show seeks to honor the contributions of Latina and Latinx artists to Minnesota’s shared past “As a multicultural and collective expression, Latina and Latinx MN: Re/claiming Space in Times of Change breaks the barriers of assumption,” write exhibition curators Zamara Cuyún and William Gustavo Franklin Torres Catherine University 2024–2025 Amy Marie Sears Memorial Visiting Curators in Residence “Embedded in each piece is the pride of being a Latina woman and a Latinx non-binary person an experience often reduced to a social phenomenon by outsiders but affirmed here as an unequivocal historical 5–6 p.m.: Music by DJ Maracuya6 p.m.: Welcome and opening remarks6:30 p.m.: Performance by Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra and live mural painting with Constanza Carballo.7–8 p.m.: Music by DJ Maracuya this fall the Gallery offers a wide variety of programming featuring the artists Events range from workshops (shadow puppetry printmaking) to moderated discussions around the artwork (family “The events have been designed in collaboration with our visiting curators in residence to deepen engagement with and education about the artists and themes presented in the exhibition,” said Nicole Watson “My hope is that our community enjoys this opportunity to interact with exhibiting artists directly and learn about them and their work from their perspectives.” About the Amy Marie Sears Visiting Artist Series The annual Amy Marie Sears Memorial Visiting Artist Series invites distinguished artists and curators to St Catherine University for a short-term residency This series was established in honor of Amy Marie Sears a promising 1995 studio art major who passed away in 1997 Note: While this blog frequently uses the term Latinas to refer to women impacted by reproductive rights restrictions this issue impacts Latino/a people across all gender identities This blog was written by former intern Claire Avalos we have seen nonstop attacks on reproductive freedom in the United States.   At the time of publication, 14 states banned abortion at conception and many more had restrictions that reduced people’s access to care such as medically unnecessary waiting periods As we discuss the destructive impacts this has on the lives of those who seek reproductive health care it is important not to gloss over how these attacks disproportionately affect women of color This blog will focus on the Latino/a community.  Latinas are statistically more likely to be impacted by abortion restrictions than their white counterparts.  Latinas, as an ethnic group, encompass a multitude of races and backgrounds that contribute to the struggles they face. The Latino community is not a monolith, and the term should not be used to gloss over the unique struggles individuals experience because of their intersectional identities many Latinas in the United States face similar barriers in their attempts to access reproductive health care Due to the rise of restrictions on bodily autonomy and abortion services across the country Latinas may also face enhanced socioeconomic obstacles.  This blog explores what factors make this community vulnerable to the harm imposed by restricted reproductive health care how that harm causes both emotional and financial distress and what can be done to fight against this injustice.    the threat of being forced to bear children while facing economic instability looms large.   Being denied reproductive health care not only strips these women of their bodily autonomy but denies them opportunities for family planning and majorly impacts the livelihoods of both them and their children These women are not being provided with the opportunity to choose the trajectory of their lives a woman who wants to get a degree but can’t because she’s forced to carry a child loses an educational opportunity A person who wants to work full-time but needs to provide childcare for new children loses opportunities to pursue her career of choice Parents who need to save money to care for their current families lose opportunities to save up when they’re forced to invest that money in the formidable costs of pregnancy and child-rearing.  Even if these individuals can find abortion care the lack of affordable options proves to make it increasingly difficult for them to receive the care they are looking for.  Shortly after the US Supreme Court affirmed an individual’s constitutional right to have an abortion without state interference in Roe v. Wade (1972), the Hyde Amendment was introduced and soon passed by Congress This amendment prohibits the use of federal funding for abortion or endangerment to the life of the pregnant individual This prevents people from using their health insurance to cover most abortion services if they are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).    About 27 million Latinos in the United States utilize Medicaid or CHIP for health coverage. From this, about one in four Latinas ages 18-64 are covered by Medicaid With such a large percentage of adult Latinas using Medicaid and other federal health insurance programs the Hyde Amendment’s restriction on using federal funding for abortion care that doesn’t fall into the cases of exceptions significantly impacts the ability for Latinas to get the care they need.   Insurance coverage isn’t the only financial barrier posed to Latinas: the socioeconomic disparities between Hispanic women and women in other racial groups create numerous obstacles in seeking reproductive health and abortion care.   excluding travel expenses or missed wages.  This is combined with Latinos being disproportionately represented in lack of access to paid sick days meaning that on top of struggling to afford an abortion they may face difficulty taking time off work to get one particularly if they need to travel to pursue out-of-state care.  the socioeconomic disparities of Latinas are perpetuated and false narratives around abortion only continue to grow.   The 7 million undocumented Latinos in the US face yet another set of challenges when in search of abortion care or other reproductive health services.  Support people in your community by joining one of our 700+ state and local Leagues Many states with restrictive abortion policies, like Texas, Arizona, and Florida are also states with high numbers of undocumented Latina immigrants It's already difficult for people in these states to travel to receive abortion care; many laws targeting undocumented immigrants make this worse Most states prevent undocumented Americans from owning driver's licenses making it impossible for them to drive into areas where abortions are accessible.   It's critical that the Latina community is not overlooked when it comes to discussing reproductive rights and health care Latinas have faced many attempts to silence and control our voices and bodies Despite current laws and harmful policies that aim to perpetuate further the inequities the community faces there are ways in which anti-abortion efforts can be counteracted.  Given the crackdown on abortion and reproductive health services across the United States especially in states with high Latina populations it can feel daunting to try to overcome all the challenges posed against us by continuing efforts to block anti-abortion legislation we have the power to rewrite the narrative.  Fighting for all instances of abortion to be covered under Medicaid would significantly benefit the Latina community enshrining the right to have an abortion in state constitutions would mean all women would be ensured they have consistently protected access.   The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy must affirm the right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices."  a federal challenge to the near-total state abortion ban passed in Idaho; it reached the Supreme Court in 2024 how the case came before the US Supreme Court and the implications of the Court’s divided decision that sent the case back to the district court.   The Supreme Court recently ruled on a case around mifepristone a drug commonly used for medication abortion Their decision preserves access to one of the most common and we’re putting you to the test — how well do you know these Latina icons Martinez allowed a no-run single in the ninth inning when his Yomiuri Giants defeated Bay Stars three runs to one the Antillean was alone in the runner-up position in the Central League The day’s highlights included several Latin American hitters such as the Dominicans Franmil Reyes the Puerto Rican Neftalí Soto and the Venezuelan Jose Osuna three runs batted in and two runs batted in in Nippon Ham’s 3×2 win against Seibu run scored and two runs batted in as Hiroshima overcame Chunichi 9×4 Santana was 3-3 with a walk in Yakult’s 5×2 win over Hanshin three runs and a pass despite Lotte’s 3×5 loss against SoftBank IU affirmed that the aggression was executed “with great premeditation in what “can undoubtedly be described as a new international crime and an act of piracy that flagrantly violates International Humanitarian Law.” The political coalition explained that the new Freedom Flotilla mission was ready to set sail for Gaza to take humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population which this time had been prepared confidentially to avoid pressure and prior actions by Israel While calling for the international community’s rejection indicated that the mission was attacked with two drones 14 nautical miles from Malta at 00:23 hours (local time) on Friday It underscored that the drones were directed at the ‘Conscience’ ship’s bow It was to set sail from Malta a few hours later with about 30 peace activists from different countries made a breach in the hull and started a fire that was eventually put out participants analyzed mechanisms to strengthen tourism in the area Among the issues addressed are the progress made in multi-destination products the proposal of a tourism brand for the Alliance and the definition of a road map to achieve such goals Attendees were briefed on proposals for developing corporate and social tourism in the regional bloc’s nations Cuban Deputy Tourism Minister Yamily Aldama Valdes stated that some operators who are not part of ALBA-TCP have expressed their interest in joining the group to “as they have done in Cuba consolidate tourism in our countries.” Valdes also announced that some airlines representatives would join the workshops and the Alliance’s proposals to offer the possibility of regional interconnection A new Friday gathering in the Latina/o Studies Program (LSP) will connect students to alumni with varied career paths “Fridays with Alumni” kicks off Jan. 31 featuring Kim Cardenas '17 &  Joseph De Los Santos '19 joining by Zoom. Students will gather in the LSP program offices to join the conversation, but they can also participate by Zoom “Cornell played a transformative role in our trajectory, empowering us to harness our skills and talents to contribute to the world. As alumni, we’re eager to pay it forward. We want to help the next generation and share lessons gleaned from our successes, and from our struggles," said Kety Esquivel '97 president of the Cornell Latino Alumni Association (CLAA) "Countless alumni attest to the extraordinary impact of LSP and the critical role that LSP directors and staff had in folks thriving academically and personally at Cornell We’re excited to partner with them on this endeavor.” Maria Cristina Garcia Newman Professor of American Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences Weiss Presidential Fellow and director of the Latina/o Studies Program said the impetus for the new event came from Reunion 2024 when more than 50 alumni came to an LSP reception Kety and I discussed ways that CLAA could support the program and thought it would be great for this generation of students to talk to alumni who went before them,” she said said she remembers them having the same questions that students have today – What will I do for my career Will I find a job that has purpose and meaning How do I find my first internship and then my first job some of the faculty and alumni mentors she had as a student – where she was elected the first Latina student on the Cornell Board of Trustees and had an honorary seat on the President’s Councill of Cornell Women (PCCW) which was just starting — have been formative in her career and her life I’ve learned that there’s not just one way to live a successful life,” she said “It’s thinking about what you want and how you can get there doing what you can to put the pieces in place and contribute your grain of sand to the world The Friday sessions will include lunch and short presentations from the alumni about how they chose their majors how they ended up on their current career path and what they know now that they wish they had known as students There will plenty of time for students to ask questions “We hope that students will appreciate talking to alumni who charted very different paths and who represent a wide range of colleges at Cornell,” Garcia said but oftentimes alumni pursue careers that have nothing to do with their major so we want students to know that they’re learning critical skills that will serve them well no matter where they go in life Other alumni visitors this semester include: The Fridays with Alumni series complements the Latina/o Studies Program’s successful Fridays with Faculty series which features an in-person conversation with a Cornell faculty member or administrator about their research or work in progress.  The Fridays with Alumni series is funded by the Latina/o Studies Program in collaboration with the Cornell Latino Alumni Association Latina/o Studies Program Student Success Office and the Latino Living Center at Cornell October 3, 2024 | By Hannah Orbach-Mandel and Mauricio Torres Jr. But systemic racism and gender inequities have kept Latinas at the margins limiting their opportunities for advancement and compounding the challenges they face in accessing education Even though wages for Latinas are growing at twice the rate of white men the gap remains vast and the structural barriers are deeply ingrained disproportionately hitting sectors where Latinas are overrepresented Latinas faced some of the highest unemployment rates in the state and are still recovering slower than other workers The Women’s Well-Being Index reveals the challenges women — especially women of color — face in economic security It calls on all of us to act for a more inclusive California Explore how women’s well-being impacts us all and discover the steps we can take to create lasting change Latinas also carry a heavier burden of unpaid labor Many work in jobs that offer little security and minimal benefits while also bearing responsibility for child care and elder care — work that is unpaid and often undervalued This imbalance traps many Latinas in a cycle of poverty that persists across generations The wage gap isn’t just about pay. It is the result of interconnected systemic barriers that impact Latinas in every aspect of their lives. A new resource from the California Budget & Policy Center shows that in addition to being underpaid Latinas hold the lowest percentage of managerial or professional positions in California and are less likely to have college degrees compared to other racial and ethnic groups Undocumented Latinas face even more significant challenges — they are the least-paid demographic group in the state despite their significant contributions to California’s economy. In 2022, undocumented immigrants contributed $8.5 billion in state and local taxes yet they remain excluded from many vital programs California policymakers have made some progress in tackling wage disparities with laws like the California Equal Pay Act These policies are a good start — they bring much-needed transparency to pay and hiring practices and ensure employers are held accountable for wage gaps based on gender and race these efforts alone are not enough to close the significant wage gap for Latinas Policymakers need to go further by breaking down the barriers that block Latinas from equal opportunities in education This includes raising wages in industries where Latinas are overrepresented improving unemployment and family leave benefits and empowering workers through stronger collective bargaining rights California cannot afford to wait another century for Latinas to achieve wage parity The longer we allow these disparities to persist the more Latinas — and their families — are pushed further into poverty entrenching the racial and economic divides that threaten our state’s future Focused efforts to close the wage gap now would mean a more prosperous California tomorrow and communities have the opportunity to thrive but we must continue fighting for fair wages and workplace equity for Latinas and all women of color There was a problem processing your signup. Please try again. Or contact us Please check your email to confirm your signup we celebrate 30 years of advancing equity and opportunity for Californians with low and middle incomes the Budget Center has been a trusted source of budget analysis shaping policies that reflect our shared values and priorities Join us at the Fresno Art Museum on Tuesday in-person training on how the state budget process affects local budgets (From left to right) Volunteers Daniela Gray Elijah Zarsadias and Nicole Lunsford teach English words to describe emotion and feelings on Thursday Hyxia Grande had always been surrounded by English speakers due to her previous work experiences in human resources but since moving to Gainesville to study English at UF she was motivated to fully submerge in the language to have a better chance at labor opportunities.  Grande is one of the many students enrolled in the Latina Women’s League English Immersion program, a program aiming to “provide and gain experience in English conversations, expand your horizons and contribute to the growth of our community,” according to its website. and I have always been able to work for international companies because I knew english,” the 47-year-old student said “I came here to hopefully clear any doubts that I have.”   in which it will be providing English lessons at the beginner and intermediate levels over the course of four months Although the league sees new faces every term the immersion program has been active for over two decades.  “We have been teaching this course for over 20 years,” said Ericka Ghersi “The necessity for courses like these is so big that most of the places that have ever hosted us start their own English class after we leave.”  The current class consists of approximately 15 students each ranging in different English capability levels pronunciation and basic conversational skills.  The opportunity of learning a new language at no cost is a relief for many of the students attending the class “What we strive to do here at the league is to foment the desire to support the community a 57-year-old student enrolled in the class said the existence of programs like these is essential as English is a ‘universal language.’ Being able to attend the lessons for free was an added bonus for her “I have always been fond of the English language and I feel it is important to learn in order to communicate with others,” she said you are somewhat walking in the dark.”  various students who attend the lessons have mentioned feeling more comfortable and safe to speak and practice English outside of their homes.  “A lot of my relatives don’t speak English so in an indirect way I have felt the consequences of not knowing the dominant language in a society,” said Elijah Zarsadias a 20-year-old UF linguistics and French junior.  followed by the gradual implementation of English Although most of the students who attend the lessons are Spanish speakers the class is open to anyone who wants to learn.  Leticia Makiyama is a 41-year-old mother from Brazil and although she does not speak Spanish and her native language is Portuguese she felt the need to learn English after moving to Gainesville for her husband’s doctorate degree.  “It has been very limiting,” she said when referring to living in Gainesville without knowing English.  a 20-year-old dual languages and international studies junior at UF is the volunteer coordinator of the program and has been volunteering for the Latina Women’s League for three semesters Gray currently teaches the beginner level course.  “I am a big believer that when you live somewhere and the best way to connect is by helping,” she said.  The classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m The Latina Women’s League also offers other classes and events for the community such as children’s Spanish-language storytelling sessions workshops on health education issues and training classes on the typical American lifestyle.  Contact Gabriella Chavez at gchavez@alligator.org Gabriella Chavez is a senior journalism major and Spring 2025 Caimán reporter creating playlists or playing with her cat A community celebrating Black voices, Black art, and Black folx. Latines learning, remembering, healing, and finding joy in our diverse stories. Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and conversations shaping the future of beauty. Photo: Mike Coppola/MG24/Getty Images/The Met Museum/Vogue.Despite the specificity of the “Latine enough” descriptor the feeling of not fitting into your own culture is an extremely human feeling that isn’t unique to the Latine community these feelings might arise more often for Latine people because we are constantly navigating two (or more) cultures — our family’s culture(s) and U.S this feeling of not fitting in is mostly based on stereotypes about the Latine community but it also depends on how a person processed their identity in childhood and adolescence “You’re in this place where you aren't fully one or the other it just depends on a person's ability to work through the identity process,” Labanca says “Childhood and adolescence have a big impact on how you feel about that depending on how culture and language is managed inside the home has a huge impact.”AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT“"The feeling of not fitting into your own culture is an extremely human feeling that isn’t unique to the Latine community." The City of Irvine invites the community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the third annual Fiesta Latina en Irvine Sunday family-friendly event will feature an array of exciting activities Guests will have the opportunity to explore the rich history and contributions of Hispanic Americans while enjoying a day filled with fun and entertainment From salsa rhythms to traditional folk dances Fiesta Latina en Irvine will showcase the diverse and dynamic spirit of Hispanic culture Attendees can savor authentic Hispanic American flavors from a variety of food trucks while browsing unique handcrafted items from local artisans Children and adults can enjoy engaging activities Join us as we honor the heritage and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans and celebrate the vibrant diversity that enriches the greater Orange County community Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Hispanic Americans with ancestors from Latin American indigenous communities and those with Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, Central, and South American roots. Enacted under federal law, the observance begins September 15 and ends October 12 starting on the Independence Day anniversary for many Latin American countries It began as a weeklong observance in 1968 under President Lyndon B Johnson and was expanded to a 30-day observance in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan The national theme for 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month is “Latinos: Driving Prosperity For more information about Fiesta Latina en Irvine, please visit cityofirvine.org/fiesta Democrat Angelina Ramirez has won a special election for an Iowa House seat representing Cedar Rapids becoming the first Latina elected to the Iowa Legislature and retaining the seat for her party in the April 29 election for the District 78 seat 79% to 21% Ramirez said in a statement she was "deeply honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me." "I am so honored to be elected as the first Latina elected in the Iowa State Legislature," she said I am looking forward to advocating for these values in the House!" House District 78 covers downtown Cedar Rapids surrounding neighborhoods and a sliver of the area west of the Cedar River Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a statement Ramirez's fit with the district hard work and Linn County organizers made her win possible "The scale of our victory tonight shows that as long as Democrats run candidates who understand and fight for their communities we can win elections across the state," Hart said but tonight we can rest assured that things are looking a little brighter Iowa House Republicans maintain a 67-33 supermajority Although she makes history as the first Latina elected to the state Legislature became the first Latino elected Iowa lawmaker in 2020 a 25-year-old originally from California and Arizona is the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants She emerged as a prominent Cedar Rapids social and racial justice advocate after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd in May 2020 sparking calls for police reform and a broader push for racial equity nationwide Ramirez was a first-generation college graduate of Coe College in Cedar Rapids and decided to stay in the city after graduating with bachelor's degrees in political science and social and criminal justice She serves as the executive director of Our Future a Cedar Rapids nonprofit focused on climate education and youth leadership development and works at Kids First Law Center as a peace facilitator at McKinley STEAM Academy she called for boosting funding for public schools raising the minimum wage and restoring public sector unions' collective bargaining rights "You elected me to be your voice in Des Moines and I will never forget that responsibility," Ramirez said Local leaders endorsed Ramirez's House bid including Scheetz, state Sen. Liz Bennett, D-Cedar Rapids, and former Democratic state Sen. Rob Hogg as well as major labor groups including the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Hawkeye Area Labor Council and the Iowa State Education Association "Angel represents the future of Iowa — a leader rooted in our community and making Iowa a place where young people want to build their lives," Scheetz said in a statement She previously served as a Senate clerk for Hogg a longtime state lawmaker who chose not to seek reelection in 2022 Iowa has already held two special elections to fill lawmakers' seats in 2025The contest marks the third special legislative election Iowa has seen this year The first was in Senate District 35, where Democrat Mike Zimmer pulled off a surprise victory over Republican Kate Whittington in the seat Chris Cournoyer vacated when she became lieutenant governor And in House District 100, Republicans retained a seat that became vacant in January after former Rep Martin Graber unexpectedly died of a heart attack Republican Blaine Watkins beat Democrat Nannette Griffin Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com This story was updated to add a video and gallery Latinas are underrepresented in the engineering field Many are first generation or immigrant students and the thought of focusing on a field never explored by their family can be daunting The lack of representation in industry and academia is also a factor that leads many Latinos to believe that they do not belong or qualify for careers in STEM As industry and academia realize through studies that a diverse workforce leads to increased performance many have stood up initiatives that invest in the future workforce investing in educational strategies to keep girls and women engaged in every stage of STEM There are numerous outreach programs and resources available to inspire and support the next generation of Latinas pursuing careers in engineering For first-generation and Latino immigrant students these resources can be key in providing access to opportunities we will explore the importance of these programs and highlight some of the initiatives that are making a difference in encouraging Latinas to pursue engineering careers Learn more about SWENext Gender stereotypes and lack of access to relatable role models, mentors, and STEM opportunities have been suggested as deterrents for middle school girls and students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue STEM careers. Seeds of Success is designed to inspire girls to consider STEM careers by countering gender stereotypes through relatable role models promoting STEM confidence through STEM workshops and hands-on activities and encouraging alignment between cultural and STEM identities through community-based STEM projects that develop leadership skills who in turn have reached more than 42,777 people in Puerto Rico through their STEM Ambassadors projects Latina Engineer’s mission is to empower Latinas in engineering by providing educational and professional development resources Latinas represent 2% of STEM field professionals Latina Engineer hopes to help close the gap and create an international network of ingenieras Founder Diana Iracheta wanted to share what her life as a minority in engineering was like and created a community in which she could share resources that were missing as she became an engineer Latina Engineer offers content in various channels including Instagram and a mentorship and scholarship program. Find out more about Latina Engineer Latinas in STEM is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting and empowering Latina women in STEM fields and networking events to help Latinas navigate their careers and succeed in the engineering industry Latinas in STEM also provides resources for first-generation and immigrant students to access opportunities in engineering Latinas in STEM offers both outreach programs for K-12 students as well as college and post-secondary programs They also host an annual event called the Latins STEM conference and offer resources for teachers to help Latino students in the classroom This organization also provides scholarships for high school students entering college Inspiring the next generation of Latinas in engineering and providing support to first-generation and Latino immigrant students is essential to creating a more diverse and inclusive engineering workforce we can empower Latinas to pursue careers in engineering and make valuable contributions to the field we can build a more diverse and equitable engineering community that reflects the talent and potential of all individuals regardless of their background or circumstances All Together is the blog of the Society of Women Engineers It’s up-to-date information and news about the Society and how our members are making a difference everyday