| El Poder de La Mujer Latina Conference
The 2007 El Poder de La Mujer Latinas Conference brought together students and professionals from various industries to discuss a wide range of issues relevant to Latinas. Workshops presented in both English and Spanish focused on leadership and development; health and wellness; student success; and business and careers.
Organized by Clara Padilla Andrews, publisher of El Hispanic News, the event attracted some 500 participants. The event was held March 1 at the Red Lion on the River, Jantzen Beach.
Keynote speakers are Linda Mazon Gutierrez, presidnt of Hispanic Women's Corporation; and Alma Morales, president of MANA, a national Latina women's organization.
As the Latino population continues to grow, so does the need for a more active stance at providing youth with education and leadership tools. "If we don’t have the programs for bringing Latinas up the ranks, through scholarships and internship program, we’re going to be in a mess of trouble. The brazen fact is that Latinas are on the lowest end of the payscale. By that, I mean for every $1 that an Anglo male makes, a Latina makes 52.5 cents on the dollar."
For students in the audience, Mazon had some excellent words of advice: "There are two strategies in life, be saved by Prince Fulano de Tal, or have an education. Make a plan, hang out with girlfriends who share the same goals. When it comes to choosing classes, challenge yourself. If you can stand up in front of a crowd, you can do anything. If you can count, you can do anything. If you can write, read and speak in English and Spanish, you are now headed up the corporate ladder. Companies are going to need us a lot more to make sure they achieve growth in profits."
Several awards were handed out to outstanding Latina leaders, including: Serena Cruz Walsh, former Multnomah County Commissioner, who received the Government Leadership Award; Lydia Muñiz, Governor's Advocate for Minorities, Women and Emerging Small Businesses, who received the Leadership Award; and Raquel Aguillòon, family intervention specialist, Multnomah County, who received the Community Award.
Photos by Maileen Hamto
Spring 2007
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