Top stories written by Latinas delivered to you each month in partnership with #WeAllGrow Latina
MES DE MUJERES
Oftentimes, in our families, when a baby is born, we celebrate him ‘porque esta bien guërito,’ and I say we have to change that narrative and start also saying ‘que bonita la niña porque está bien prieta.’ We have to change that narrative within our own families.
Dolores Huerta
As we close Women’s History Month, we’re taking a moment to celebrate those who continue to make waves. Whether it’s through storytelling or activism, Latina leaders have demonstrated the power we have as individuals and as a collective. For example, after Wednesday and Scream VI, there’s no doubt Jenna Ortega is a force to be reckoned with. Recently Jenna Ortega’s talked about her love for the Coachella Valley and how her hometown is about more than just a music festival.
You cannot go through Women’s History Month without bringing Dolores Huerta into the conversation. An icon, civil rights activist, and labor leader, Dolores Huerta continues to inspire us to organize and vote, illustrating the power of our narratives and communities. And on the entertainment front, Auli’i Cravalho, star of the new series The Power, talks about her love of acting and how it continues to push her to be a better human.
These women embody the spirit of ‘Si Se Puede,’ a phrase that has become synonymous with our strength and resilience.
THE COST OF DEHUMANIZATION
The U.S. and Mexican governments have prioritized the deterrence, the criminalization, the militarization, the discrimination versus the well-being of those seeking protection.
Tania Guerrero
On March 27, 2023, a fire broke out at a detention center, claiming 39 innocent lives. In protest of the inhumane conditions they were forced to endure, a group of immigrants lit mattresses on fire, and when the fire spread, guards ignored calls for help. Advocates and activists have called out the inhumane conditions of migrant detention centers, and this deadly fire only underscores the urgent need for reform.
During tragic events such as this, it is essential to have Latinas in newsrooms. María Verza for the Associated Press covered what is now one of the deadliest incidents ever at a detention center in Mexico. Vanessa Romo from NPR reminds us this incident uncovers just a sliver of the abuse migrants see and reminds us of the need for change. Suzanne Gamboa and Nicole Acevedo from NBCNews interviewed human and immigration rights advocates who described that while horrified by the deaths, they were not surprised that such a tragedy occurred. These preventable deaths are a heart-wrenching reminder that everyone deserves to be safe and treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background or status.
WRITERS’ CORNER
Failure sucks, right? And it hurts, it’s a heartbreak. But success is a different kind of heartbreak no one ever tells you about.
Yesika Salgado
Writing takes work. It’s a process that can be equally disheartening as it is rewarding. This month, we dived into interviews with poets and writers as we explored their love for writing, the process, and the power of the written word. In an interview with Poet Yesika Salgado, Yvette Montoya talked with the poet about her struggles with writer’s block, the challenges of success, and how it can be equally exhilarating and heartbreaking. Next, Sofía Aguilar interviewed Patricia Engel, author of The Faraway World, about her latest book and the communities, places, and people that inspire her writing. Finally, Nicole Young created a list of 11 Iconic Latina Poets, like Julia de Burgos, Sandra Cisneros, and Gabriela Mistral, whose work has created the foundation for the Latina verse canon. Their poetry explores and excavates themes of identity, culture, love, and loss. Their impact on the literary world is as undeniable as it is powerful.
LATINAS ON THE BYLINES 💬
🧠 Think About It
A Brief History of Latin Representation at the Oscars
📰 In the News
New Documentary Shows How “Patria y Vida” Became Cuba’s Protest Anthem
🤩 We’re Here for This
These Educators Teach Lessons on Race, Gender, & Colonialism Through Reggaeton
