At the Latina Futures 2050 Lab, the ethos and lessons of the legacies of countless trailblazers are embedded in everything we do. Their stories remind us that our history is one of continuous creation, steadfast persistence, and profound innovation. From grassroots visionaries to national policymakers, Latinas across generations have consistently envisioned and fought for dignity and justice. These women have made way for the leaders of today and tomorrow. 

Too often, however, the groundbreaking work of today’s leaders is overlooked, lost in the noise of media landscapes that shape our world, from newsrooms to entertainment to the pages of scientific journals. That’s why Latina Futures doesn’t just focus on laying the foundation for change: we are writing a new narrative that connects and counteracts those who would seek to demean and divide us. Rooted in truth and fueled by the boundless imagination of girls and women, we tell bold, expansive stories that demand to be seen, heard, and remembered.

En Cominudad,

Veronica Terriquez
Co-founder, Latina Futures 2050 Lab

Sonja Diaz 
Co-founder, Latina Futures 2050 Lab

Dr. Mirella Diaz-Santos, a Latina Futures expert featured in the video “Empowered Voices: Closing Knowledge Gaps”

This month, we released two videos in our Empowered Voices series. The first highlights the Latina scholars whose work is at the forefront of closing critical knowledge gaps that influence the policies shaping our lives. From economic and social mobility to health equity to environmental justice, their research informs solutions that uplift communities and ensure that the full potential of women and girls is unlocked.

The second video focuses on civil society leaders who advocate on issues that touch the lives of all communities. In sharing their personal stories and how they impacted their professional trajectories, these leaders provide critical insights into the importance of building inclusive spaces and how that impacts the policy landscape and transformative opportunities that can change the lives of women and girls.   

Dr. Sylvia Zamora stands in the ruins of her home in Altadena. (Sarahi Apaez / For De Los)

March marked a month of activity for the Latina Futures Commentary Bootcamp participants, Erika Andiola published an op-ed in the Arizona Republic warning against the scapegoating of immigrants and appeared on Democracy Now! to talk about her piece. Dr. Daisy Verduzco Reyes, Latina Futures expert and bootcamp participant, published a column in the Los Angeles Times De Los section focused on the impact of the LA County fires on Latino middle class families. 

The “Our Unsilencing” bootcamp concluded instruction in mid-February and students unanimously agreed they would recommend the course to their peers. They pointed to the sense of community built through the program and reiterated a commitment to continue to uplift Latina voices while sharing the knowledge they learned.

One student said she plans to encourage other Latinas to speak up: “Imposter syndrome seemed to impact everyone in the cohort, but it was beautiful to witness folks be vulnerable and share what may have been in a new type of writing for many... The care and support that was given is something I will take with me and share with others.”

The Latina Futures team participates in a group activity led by Rachel Hatch (left), Institute for the Future’s chief operating officer, and Nathalie Lopez, IFTF’s research manager (background).

This month, Latina Futures 2050 Lab embarked on a new partnership that focuses on future possibilities centered on the needs of women and girls. A collaboration with the Institute for the Future (IFTF), the world’s oldest, continuously running futures research and educational organization, is designed to support a multi-generational ecosystem of leaders to move beyond short-term thinking.  

According to IFTF, forecasting and futures thinking requires two essential tools: a people-centered plan and a team committed to executing it. This is the first-ever futures-focused collaboration centered on Latinas, allowing both IFTF and Latina Futures to challenge narrow views regarding the direction and potential magnitude of Latina leadership and agency. 

To kick off the collaboration, IFTF led a two-day retreat with Latina Futures staff and partners from March 12-13. In their welcome address, Latina Futures cofounders Sonja Diaz and Veronica Terriquez said they already have a team that can anticipate systematic shifts, understand impacts, and innately care about the betterment of Latinas in California and beyond. Learning new tools and skills will only enhance the team’s work, they said. Learn more about this partnership here. 

Latina Futures 2050 Lab recently met with English and Spanish-language media executives to discuss storytelling opportunities with support of Latina Futures experts. The visit led to conversations around the Los Angeles wildfires, the 2026 elections, impact of mass deportations on regional economies, and the national attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational and non-educational settings. 

Latina Futures also spent a day with more than 1,300 attendees at Hispanas Organized for Political Equality’s (HOPE) Latina History Day in Los Angeles. In an era where digital spaces like messaging apps, social media, and news websites keep users glued to their phones, Latina History Day allowed for in-person connections among women who represent different communities and professional sectors. Learn more about these activities here.

Hispanas Organized for Political Equality’s Latina History Day in Los Angeles on March 7 gathered more than 1,300 women for its 34th annual in-person event. (Photo Courtesy of HOPE)

Becca Guzman (left), moderates a panel with Armando Ibáñez, Gina Zapanta, and Corissa Hernandez Paredes. The event, titled “Latinx Content Creators for Immigrant Rights,” was sponsored by Latina Futures, in collaboration with Mijente and Nativo, and took place in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.

Last week, Latina Futures brought together environmental justice leaders, philanthropy and community organizers to continue conversations around community-powered environmental justice advocacy in the face of climate change. The webinar opened with a fireside chat with California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia, followed by a panel discussion with Loyda Alvarado, the national project coordinator at National Day Laborer Organizing Network, and Luz Castro, associate director of policy for Inclusive Action for the City. "Climate change has real economic risk and damage that can be caused to economies, to industries, to anyone at a personal level,” said Garcia. Alvarado and Castro also stressed the need for community-led efforts to recover from natural disasters, keep property in the hands of community members, and the need for increased protections to keep workers safe. You can watch the full webinar here. 

Veronica Terriquez speaks to the Calexico Chronicle about her latest research on the gender, education, and economic mobility of Imperial Valley College students.  

Sonja Diaz talks to LAist regarding the need for federal government to partner with community oranizations and local health providers to keep residents such as farmworkers safe during emergencies, including wildfires. 

Politico highlights Latina Futures' inaugural opinion commentary bootcamp led by Jean Guerrero and designed to elevate Latina voices in newspapers across the nation.  

UCLA Newsroom includes Latina Futures' tribute to UCLA alumnus Cindy Montañez in its Women's History Month recap.

Contact us
info@latinafutures.org

Latina Futures 2050 Lab is fiscally sponsored by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a 501(c)3 non-profit,
EIN 95-4116679