Every year since 2015, National Latina Day has been celebrated on August 20. The Latina Day celebration shines a light on all Latinas who are making a difference and achieving all of their goals. Whether it is at home, in schools or simply embracing other women’s femininity.
Dolores Castillad, a Latina based in Texas, created this day specifically for Latinas to show their pride and be recognized for their significant contributions to society.
CALÓ NEWS would like to honor all Latinas all around the world on this special day. It is also our goal to help them gain recognition and representation in sectors such as business, entrepreneurship, media, the arts and many others.
Happy National Latina Day today and every day.
CALÓ NEWS spoke with Latina woman on what it means to be Latina.
Jocelyn Marlen Garcia, 28, Riverside, Marketing, She/Her, Latina
WHAT DOES LATINA MEAN TO YOU AND WHY?
Latina Day is definitely a day I use to celebrate not just myself as a Latina, but all Latina women. I think women have come a long way in history and career paths, so I love seeing a day dedicated to honoring strong Latina women! My favorite part is seeing Latina women confidently and unapologetically taking up space!
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LATINA IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
I honestly don’t have a specific important Latina woman in my life. I admire all Latinas and I love seeing all Latina women succeeding in all areas of life. If I had to choose one I would say I really admire Alexandra Ocasiónelo-Cortez and that’s because of her boldness! I also love Karol G as an artist, she has a beautiful personality and a genuine soul. I love seeing Latina’s stay true to themselves even when working in male dominated industries.
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP ALL LATINOS?
If I were president for one day I would give citizenship to all illegal immigrants and offer more financial aid to shorten the gap in advantages that others have. I believe all humans are entitled to the same treatment and fairness and it shouldn’t be based on where their parents were when they were born.
Maria Morales, 46, Teacher Assistant, Los Angeles, She/Her, Latina
WHAT DOES LATINA MEAN TO YOU AND WHY?
Being Latina is special; it also means a symbol for hard working women especially if one migrated to the U.S. for a better life or to pursue the American Dream. It means to love my food, and embracing my roots as well.
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LATINA IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
The most important Latina in my life is my mom. She is a very hardworking woman and has been a great influence in my life. She was there in the good and in the bad moments of my life. As a single mother of four children I saw her struggling to feed us but she made sure we were always taken care of no matter what.
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP ALL LATINOS?
I would help in many ways such as providing low-income families with better jobs, better health care and also with their immigration status as many families suffer from those problems.
Briza Mendia Barboza, 26, Pico Rivera, Social Services in Health Care, She/her, Hispanic Latina
WHAT DOES LATINA MEAN TO YOU AND WHY?
Latina day to me means a day where different cultures experience, acknowledge, learn and embrace the culture of being a Latina woman. The work that has been put into by a Latina woman whether she works in government, healthcare or even a stay at home mom. Their hard work is recognized.
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LATINA IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
My mom, she taught me everything I know to this day. She has been my shield and armor on bad days and encourages our family to thrive for the best every day.
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP ALL LATINOS?
This is a good question. As president for a day my goal would be to help provide a more effective way for individuals with DACA, VISAS and any individual with a form of government assistance to stay in the US, to be promised a real American dream. Not a temporary solution that creates fear to have everything taken away in a blink of an eye.
Joselin Duran Gastelum, 25, Bakersfield, Make-up Artist, She/Her, Mexican
WHAT DOES LATINA MEAN TO YOU AND WHY?
In all reality I think that if I wasn’t a Latina I would have my own essence. Everything that I am, comes from being a Latina woman. Every one of us has something special but I feel like Latinos always have to start from the bottom and that’s what motivates every single one of us to not just give 100% but instead to give 200% of ourselves to stand out from the crowd and be the best no matter what you are doing.
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LATINA IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
The most important Latina to me in my personal aspect would be my grandma, who taught me that I have nothing to lose in this world and that I can be anything and do anything that I put my mind to.
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP ALL LATINOS?
I would help them in any way possible but specifically in helping them practice their rights. I would also like to take away any kind of discrimination in this world, so that we can all be a great team together and unity.
Cristina Gonzalez, 55, South Gate, Customer Service, She/Her, Latina
WHAT DOES LATINA MEAN TO YOU AND WHY?
Being a Latina means a lot to me because I know we can do anything we set our minds to. Being a Latina also means that we are looked at as hard-working women and we are programmed to always have our things together. But it’s Ok to not be Ok sometimes. As women we have to take care of ourselves and our mental health too with all the pressure we might get from our own community.
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LATINA IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
For me, my mother is the most important Latina in my life. She was a very good role model to me, and I am very grateful for her. Thanks to her I’m able to be a good role model to the next generation of Latinas.
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP ALL LATINOS?
I would pay Latinos for a day of work and I would give them the day off to relax because I know many Latinos and Latinas who are always working and sometimes don’t get a day to themselves or enough time to spend with the family.
Veronica Garcia, 30, Riverside, Stay at Home Mom, She/Her, Mexican
WHAT DOES LATINA MEAN TO YOU AND WHY?
Latina Day to me means a day in which we honor and celebrate women who have come from another birth country or are of a different descent to chase their dreams. Why is it important to me, because being a woman and being able to achieve goals and dreams you had as a little girl & being born in Mexico, it’s an honor to be Latina & have a day dedicated to us in the country I grew up in.
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LATINA IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
I have all the Women’s in my family that are important to me, but the main one will be my mother, someone I look up to and has shown me to never give up and keep fighting for my dreams. The reason why it’s important to me is because all these women have formed me into the woman I am today, and I wouldn’t know how to handle some situations if it wasn’t for their advice and love they gave to me growing up.
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP ALL LATINOS?
If I could be president for one day, what I’ll do to help Latinos is try to fight for an immigration reform and better education & paying jobs to those that want to progress in this country. Coming from immigrant parents I notice it wasn’t easy to get a job due to the language barrier and education but they made it work somehow to bring food to the table.
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