Programs support Latinas’ success

When it comes to Latinas, it seems that all eyes are not only placed on women such as Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez or Sofia Vergara. Throughout the entire country, the number of Hispanic women is growing and so are organizations and companies that focus on the growth of Latinas.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, three events were held in Atlanta in March targeted to Latina women: the Avanzando Juntas conference hosted by the Latin American Association, Emprendedores Latinos’ third annual Women’s Forum, and Bazaar Latino, organized by YoSoyM.

“As Latina women, we are our families’ backbone and need to be strengthened and feel that we are a part of a community that values and encourages us,” said Judith Martinez, managing partner and cofounder of the social venture YoSoyM. “This is the only way that our community can move forward. If we do not support each other, no one else will.”

According to the Census Bureau, there are 254,800 Latinas between age 18 and 64 in Georgia alone, with an average age of 26.

After living in this community for several years, journalist Judith Martinez and Gilda Pedraza, an entrepreneur whose background is in the non-profit sector, realized that like them, many Latinas come to America seeking a better future, but it is difficult to find a community that is welcoming, guiding and motivating.

In taking advantage of this missed opportunity, Martinez and Pedraza launched YoSoyM last year which came to fill that void and quickly received support from businesses and the media. They hosted their first event last year, ExpoMujer, at the Infinite Energy Center in Gwinnett, where more than 2,000 Latinas attended to learn about resources and services, special classes, free makeovers and simply enjoy a special day to be pampered.

There’s also a need to educate and empower Hispanic women in the business sector. Data shows they are more inclined to open their own businesses.

The number of companies owned by Hispanic women in Georgia increased by 364.9 percent, from 3,528 in 2002 to 16,400 in 2015, according to the State of Women Owned Business Survey published by American Express OPEN.

Latinas’ Economic Empowerment Program Workforce Development of the LAA has created a program designed for Hispanic women who want to start their own businesses. The free course “Mujeres y Negocios” had more than 150 women participating in 2015.

Helping each other and bringing along the next generation is vitally important.

“Never forget your strength. A woman who lends a hand to another becomes stronger and although the road may be difficult, goals are achieved one step at a time, always looking forward,” said Pedraza, partner and co-founder of YoSoyM.

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