Passion in Action: Celebrating the Latina Influence

Sit tight, here comes the story:

It was my first day back at the office after my 4 months maternity leave, and I had to pick up some paperwork. My parents were visiting from Brazil, and since my dad volunteered to stay with Luca, I invited my mom to come along with me, so she could visit our office.

The moment we walked into the office, it was like I’d opened the door to a parade. My mom, being the warm, affectionate Latina mom she is, took one look at my co-workers and said, “Ai, que lindos!” (“Oh, how beautiful these people are!”). She didn’t stop there, she went in for the hug.

One by one, my American co-workers, completely caught off guard, were pulled into my mom’s arms, receiving full-blown, heartfelt hugs. And with each hug, she’d say, “Olha como ela é linda! Que cabelo é esse?” (“Look how beautiful she is, what gorgeous hair!!”). Everyone just stood there, a bit awkward but also charmed by her warmth.

You could see the confusion on their faces at first, as hugging at work wasn’t exactly a thing in our office. But after the third person, people started laughing and going along with it. One co-worker whispered to me, “I don’t even hug my own mom like that!”

The next day, my coworkers told me: “Your mom’s hugs made my day!”, “Can she come back next week?”, “I’ve never been called ‘beautiful’ at work before!”

It became an inside joke that whenever someone was having a tough day, someone would say, “We need your mom to come in and tell us how beautiful we are!”

So, while I was just trying to grab a quick form, my mom managed to turn the whole office into a feel-good fiesta. Sometimes, a little Latina warmth is exactly what an office full of stressed-out Americans needs!

Let’s talk about this:

If you have ever met a Latina, I’m 100% sure she hugged you, whether you liked it or not! 🙂 Just like a good hug, this week felt warm and comforting for me, especially since Crunchyroll shone a spotlight on my story in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. I am truly humbled by the number of messages I received and how many other Latinas felt represented by the post.

I saw this historic moment (it’s not every day that a Latina is in the spotlight in corporate America) as an opportunity to amplify the voices of other Latinas alongside me. That’s how we do it in Latin America, we share both the pain and the gain. Even when I was unaware of my “Latina flair” and endured microaggressions, endless feedback about the amount of “passion” I expressed, or comments about how loud I was, it was those women who stood by my side, giving me the resilience to remain true to my authentic self while adapting to American culture.

This week, I asked dozens of Latinas, women that live in different parts of Latin America, Europe, and the United States, including those working for American companies, stay-at-home moms, women who don’t want children, those on the journey to get pregnant, new mothers, single women, married women, and those who prefer not to label their partners. The diversity within these groups was astounding and exciting. At first glance, one might think that, aside from being Latinas and women, they don’t have much in common. However, once you start reading their responses to the question, “What does a Latina woman bring to the world?” the connections become clear. Please take a look at the art below (more details about their comments in this post).

Overall, the comments highlight that Latina women bring a rich blend of resilience, cultural pride, emotional depth, creativity, and leadership to the world. Their contributions are marked by a commitment to family and community, a passion for life, and a determination to challenge and change perceptions.

It was incredibly inspiring to read those lines. I admit that I am biased, as I know these women very well, which made reading their perspectives even more touching. I couldn’t help but feel tears of happiness and pride filling up in my eyes, accompanied by a smile on my face with every comment that came in.

When you talk to a Latina, I can guarantee that you will find her joyful and passionate. Latinas have a unique way of approaching life with enthusiasm and positivity. This excitement for life is a defining characteristic that influences our interactions and contributions to the world.

In several past posts, I’ve explored the resilience and strength of women. Recently, I heard a debate on whether a woman is ready to assume a role as significant as the Presidency of this country. One of the panelists made a blunt yet insightful remark: “If women can handle having a period every month, they can handle anything.” This comment made me smile because it highlighted a truth that resonates deeply.

The resilience and strength of Latinas are truly next-level. A combination of cultural, social, and historical factors contributes to this remarkable strength, adaptability, and resilience. We possess the ability to overcome challenges and navigate complex environments, embodying a spirit of perseverance that allows us to rise above adversity.

When considering these cultural and social influences, another common thread in the responses from Latinas is their deep connection to family and cultural roots. Latina women take immense pride in their heritage, which often shapes their values and influences their personal and professional approaches. 

We cherish the recipes passed down from our grandmothers, carrying with us the strength of those who raised multiple children while juggling side jobs to make ends meet, often as a result of being left by their partners. We also carry the resilience of those who navigated a "machista" culture, working quietly in the background, striving not to draw attention to themselves, as societal norms dictated that Latinas should be behind the oven, caring for children, rather than celebrated for their successes.

I wonder if the creativity and resourcefulness that Latinas possess today also stem from our ancestors. Which Latina hasn’t heard her mom say, “I didn’t have money for toys, so we built our own”? (I confess that I still catch myself saying the same thing to my kids.) The ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions is another recurring theme among Latinas. We are resourceful; we can create beauty and joy in any situation and bring light and warmth to our surroundings.

Who hasn’t heard the phrase, “You are too emotional!”? As women, we often recognize that this perception, especially among our male colleagues, is all too common. For Latinas, this emphasis on emotional expression runs even deeper. We place immense value on empathy and the art of building and nurturing relationships. Latina women are frequently seen as the heart of our families and workplaces, offering support and upliftment to those around us. If you have a Latina friend, you’ll never have to navigate life alone.

If you have a Latina co-worker, consider yourself fortunate. Our strong commitment to collaboration means that we prioritize teamwork and cultivate authentic connections that foster trust and support. We are not only willing to advocate for ourselves but also for others. Fearless in challenging the status quo, we strive for equity and inclusion, ready to take on roles that champion social justice.

Well, if being a Latina brings so many great qualities, such as perseverance, pride in heritage, emotional richness, innovation, influence, and leadership, why did I spend so many years downplaying my Latin-ness? Why do I still see many Latinas doubting themselves, not advocating for what they believe in, and hiding parts of themselves to accommodate the world around them?

For me specifically, I had to build my confidence over the years to acknowledge that being Latina in corporate America is not a flaw; it is an asset. I add; I never subtract. I multiply talents, ideas, and perspectives, and I only divide credit and opportunities, ensuring that everyone who crosses my path, at work or in life leaves the conversation better than when they arrived.

Now that my confidence is in check, it is my responsibility to keep amplifying the voice of other Latinas that either haven't gotten this confidence level yet or haven’t had the opportunity to speak louder. 

I appreciate my Latina friends for their generosity to have shared these amazing insights with me and I now bring them to light for each one of you that took the time to read and reflect about this post. Now, the responsibility is not only mine, let’s share the ownership to bring more amazing Latinas to the spotlight. 

As I reflect on the stories shared by Latinas and the incredible spirit that we carry, it becomes clear that our collective experiences are woven together by resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting one another. Each of us contributes a unique thread to the rich tapestry of our community, demonstrating that we are not just survivors but thriving leaders who shape the world around us.

The warmth of a hug, the power of a shared smile, and the courage to express our emotions define us as Latinas. We embody the essence of connection and collaboration, which fuels our journey. Let us celebrate the beauty of our heritage, the strength of our voices, and the light that we bring to every space we enter.

As we continue to support one another, let us embrace our identity with pride and confidence, igniting a wave of love and positivity that reaches far beyond our communities. Let’s keep spreading bubbles of love to the world!!! I hope this post doesn’t only make you feel empowered, but that this makes you feel what you already are: POWERFUL.

Please keep telling yourself: “I am not empowered, I am powerful!!!”

Let’s remember, we may all have beautiful first names, but together we share a common last name: PASSION.

In the spirit of that passion, I leave you with a few lines that encapsulate our essence: