When Latinas Lead, Everyone Thrives. |
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Latina Futures 2050 Lab’s newsletter. Grounded in rigorous research and trusted community partnerships, Latina Futures is actively redefining the story of America and amplifying the call to achieve gender parity.
In 2022, after two years of a pandemic in which data was emerging that Latinas disproportionately bore the economic and social impacts of COVID-19, Sonja recognized it wasn’t enough to just focus on the needs of Latinos broadly through her work as the founding director of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI). This sparked a conversation with the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC) and we worked together to develop an initiative focused on Latinas that would be spearheaded by the CSRC. Leveraging resources at both institutes, we took this idea to the California Legislature and built the foundation for Latina Futures, working with our talented staff and student colleagues, as well as external partners, to identify the three pillars of our work: rigorous research, community engagement, and leadership programs.
With a $15 million five-year grant from the state legislature in hand, we designed a robust program that delves into the diverse facets of Latina life in the U.S. through rigorous research. To begin, we engaged in a forward-looking strategic planning effort that involved academics, civil society leaders, and the private sector. Our goal was to develop an ambitious, but also pragmatic, approach to tackling persistent inequalities. This plan was informed by prior experiences with university-based research centers, our deep ties to California's civic institutions, and our understanding of how Latina Futures can be part of a larger ecosystem advancing social justice.
Check out our full letter below for more on what we have been up to.
In solidarity,
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| Veronica Terriquez
Co-founder, Latina Futures 2050 Lab
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| Sonja Diaz
Co-founder, Latina Futures 2050 Lab
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Latina Leadership Shines in Chicanx-Latinx Law Review |
This spring, the UCLA Chicanx-Latinx Law Review – the nation's nation’s first law journal dedicated to uplifting Chicanx-Latinx voices – published a Latina Futures issue. This special issue examines the dynamic and transformative potential of Latina leadership and advocacy within the legal realm and builds off Latina Futures’ first symposium, Latina Futures: Transforming the Nation Through Law and Policy (view sessions here). Featuring insightful articles from Rochelle Garza, Sonja Diaz, and Jill Lynch Cruz among others that offer critical analyses and forward-thinking perspectives, the issue highlights the vital contributions of Latina scholars and practitioners in shaping more equitable legal systems.
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Join Us for Our First Webinar |
Join the Latina Futures 2050 Lab for a compelling discussion featuring leading scholars on the impact of women of color in the 2024 general election. Discover how these influential voters are poised to shape the political landscape, leveraging their unique experiences and intersectional identities to drive change. Gain insights into the complexities of voter behavior and the evolving future of American democracy.
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Hispanic Serving Institutions
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Latina Futures Participates in Inaugural HSI Research Colectiva Convening
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Latina Futures participated in the inaugural HSI Research Colectiva Convening hosted by UC Davis. For the event, the Colectiva – led by Latina Futures experts Dr. Marcela Cueller (UC Davis), Dr. Gina Garcia (UC Berkeley) and Dr. Rebecca Covarrubias (UC Santa Cruz) – gathered scholars and advocates dedicated to advancing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to discuss innovative research strategies and collaborative efforts to enhance educational opportunities for Hispanic and Latino students. Our team looks forward to contributing to this shared mission and making sure the unique needs of Latinas are accounted for in higher education strategies going forward.
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Legislative Policy + Advocacy
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Partnering with HOPE to Drive Equity for Latinas
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At Hispanas Organized for Political Equality’s (HOPE) Latina Action Day in Sacramento, the Latina Futures team advocated for critical issues such as pay and health equity. The event brought together Latinas from across California to engage with policymakers and push for legislative changes that address systemic inequalities affecting our community. Drawing on her research and practical expertise on health disparities, Dr. Yohualli Anaya joined Assemblymember Mia Bonta and other experts to address maternal mortality rates that disproportionately affect Black women, and are now growing at an alarming rate for Latinas.
HOPE is a core partner to Latina Futures, and over the next three years we aim to train over 300 Latinas, preparing them to fill key leadership roles in their local communities and growing the HOPE Leadership Institute model across key regions of California. By engaging with core partners like HOPE and participating in these events, Latina Futures can maximize the impact of its research and champion the rights and opportunities that ensure a brighter and more equitable future for all.
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Legislative Policy + Advocacy
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Latinas in Focus: On the Conference Trail
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This summer, Latina Futures Co-founder Sonja Diaz made the rounds on a dynamic conference circuit, sharing her expertise and advocating for the needs of Latinas across the country. At the UnidosUS National Conference, Sonja highlighted Latina Futures' work to ensure Latinas have a seat at decision-making tables in every sector. At the American Federation of Teachers National Conference, she emphasized the crucial role of educators in shaping the conditions for Latina students to thrive and the importance of equitable education policies. Finally, at the Education Writers Association National Seminar, Diaz joined a plenary discussion focused on education and civic engagement where she shared her perspective on the diverse priorities that motivate youth voters.
Sonja’s participation in these high-impact conferences underscores her commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities for Latinx communities broadly and Latinas specifically. Her leadership in shaping the national conversation around equity and justice is invaluable, and we are proud to have her as a key voice at Latina Futures driving change.
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Dr. Stephanie Correa is an associate professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at UCLA. She is currently studying how hormones in the brain interact in her lab, particularly how estrogen levels change and affect animal behavior and physiology.
Her involvement with Latina Futures was born from the leadership modeled by Dr. Veronica Terriquez, who has been instrumental in connecting STEM faculty to the Chicano Studies Research Center, where the Latina Futures 2050 Lab is housed. Correa noted that Terriquez has served as a role model for what Latina leadership should look like. Now Correa is following in her footsteps as she leads mentorship efforts and collaborates with senior Latina faculty members at UCLA to maximize the impact of their support of junior faculty, early career scholars, and students. This mentorship system goes beyond traditional one-on-one interactions to create a multi-generational ecosystem that advances community building. Correa is fostering an environment where shared experiences and problem-solving drive a sense of belonging and collective progress in the sciences. She aims to uplift Latina STEM faculty and students, ensuring they feel valued and supported in their academic and professional journeys, and encourages departments to adopt inclusive and flexible approaches that support underrepresented scholars.
“It's so impactful when I can show students that they have the agency and talent to do science in any way that they envision and help them to not discount themselves,” said Correa.
Correa's work not only underscores the importance of diversity in STEM but also aims to inspire the next generation of Latina leaders. Her dedication to mentorship and community-building exemplifies the mission of Latina Futures: to empower Latinas and ensure their contributions are recognized and celebrated.
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In June, we welcomed Jean Guerrero as a Latina Futures senior journalism fellow. Jean Guerrero is an award-winning investigative journalist and a powerful voice for authentic and truthful narratives about Latinos in a political landscape increasingly flooded with misinformation. Her work in major outlets such as The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times focuses on immigration, race, and the human impact of policies at the U.S.-Mexico border. Over the course of her fellowship, Guerrero will spotlight stories on issues ranging from Latina health to the 2024 presidential election and create a boot camp for aspiring columnists so that news media better reflects the depth of Latina perspectives and the nuance Latinas deserve.
In the short video above, Guerrero shares more about her role as a senior journalism fellow, how Latinas are inextricably linked to the future of the United States, and why we must support their success. Check it out, and one of her latest contributions in the Latina making headlines section below. Then, follow us at @latinafutures to make sure you never miss her insightful commentary on pressing issues.
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Jean Guerrero, Latina Futures Senior Journalism Fellow, recently penned a compelling op-ed discussing reframing immigration as a gun control issue and shedding new light on the intersection of these critical topics.
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| KCRA-TV
New Report Shows the Economic Impact of Latinas In California
Helen Torres, CEO of HOPE, a Latina Futures partner, sheds light on findings from the California Latinas Economic Impact Report and underscores the significant contributions of Latinas to the state's economy and the pressing need for policies that support their success.
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| INSIGHT INTO DIVERSITY
Advancing Legal Research
A two-year fellowship in the Critical Race Studies Program at the UCLA School of Law to advance legal scholarship on Latinx communities honors the contributions of former Latina Futures Expert Dr. Laura Gómez to the legal field.
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Join the Latina Futures Team |
Latina Futures is looking for strong leaders who believe in its mission to advance effective leadership, full inclusion and authentic narratives. We are hiring for key positions including Latina Futures Director and Latina Futures Senior Development Officer.
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