Here Today, Here Tomorrow
By Margaret Almada, former executive director for the California
State Commission for the Status of Women and former administrator
for the city of Tracy, California.
When I was asked to prepare an opinion letter for the
inauguration of LATINA Style, I was moved by the idea that
others would be reading my thoughts about Hispanic
women. I was concerned that I would not be able to share in just a few
words all that needs to be contributed about the importance of this new
publication.
My first thoughts were of Hispanic women through history. They had
little to lose and so much to gain by having faith and endurance to go
forward with their efforts. My thoughts then turned to the women who
have made my life meaningful - my grandmothers, my mother, my
sisters, and my aunts. Each provided a bit of fabric to my existence. Then
I thought about all the friends I have made in my life who have opened
my eyes as to who I am and what I can become. Finally, I thought what
can I contribute to make the lives of other Hispanic women more
meaningful and proud?
There are thousands of young women seeking female Hispanic
mentors to understand what they are experiencing, exemplify what they
can accomplish, and provide a means to realize their own identity. When
I was Executive Director for the California State Commission on the
Status of Women, an advocate group for women's issues such as pay
equity and sex discrimination, I noticed that although Latinas have come
a long way thanks to the women before us-we still have a long way to
go. Part of the problem was and still is the fact that generally, we don't
pat ourselves on the back or toot our own horns when we achieve. Part
of the reason is that there has not been a vehicle to voice our victories
and accomplishments. Now LATINA Style represents an opportunity for
Hispanic women like myself to promote a sense of positive identity, to
share our successful endeavors and our issues of concern, and
communicate with each other.
We are a culture of women with strong family values, concern for
our community, a desire to have our culture respected, and a need to
create opportunities for success. This magazine embodies an exciting
time and a way to share who we are, where we are, and where we want
to proceed. There is a wealth of female Hispanic leadership from which
we can create future role models, political leaders, scientists, health
providers, communicators, social service leaders, and many more. There
are numerous topics we need to discuss. And we need to create
avenues to learn about each other. Until now there has been no national
publication that we could truly call our own.
Join me in contributing toward the success of LATINA Style. We
have much to share with each other, much to gain by seizing the
opportunity to unite our community of Hispanic women. By appreciating
the wealth of who we are, and by letting others know who we are and
where we have been, we honor our mothers, sisters, aunts, and friends
who have helped make us who we are, Hispanic women.
¡Punto Final!
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48 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 25, No. 5, 2019
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