As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close and we enter the homestretch of the 2024 election cycle, we are reminded of the undeniable and inextricable connection between Latinas’ political and economic power and the nation’s democratic future. We know that the U.S. economy is dependent on the economic output of Latinas; a recent study co-authored by the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture found that the GDP of Latinas is growing 2.7 times faster than non-Hispanics. And recent research from Latina Futures cements the rapidly growing Latina electorate, which is a decisive voting bloc at 12% of all registered U.S. women voters. The success and well-being of Latinas, from equal pay to bodily autonomy, should matter to all of us. Yet, as senior journalism fellow Jean Guerrero recently wrote, “In the mythology of this country, Latinas exist to produce.” Latinas often live in a reality where they are relegated to invisibility and erasure—despite their demonstrated potential to shape the future. 

That’s why, in the lead-up to a historic election in which bodily autonomy and reproductive justice, access to quality healthcare, reducing gun violence, increasing economic equity, and democracy itself are at stake, we must continue to have real conversations about the issues that impact Latina households and diverse, youthful communities of color. The U.S. states with the highest growth rates of Latinas of childbearing age are also the 29 states that ban or restrict abortions, underscoring the disparate impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision on Latinas, who already face barriers in accessing health care. And the number of tragic incidents of gun violence in the Latino community have increased at nearly twice the rate of gun deaths nationally;  largely occurring in states most resistant to common sense gun control, like Texas, where Latinos are the plurality population. Akin to the policy attitudes of the majority of voters this cycle, Latina voters are concerned with the economy, including jobs and the high cost of living. Yet many politicians seem reluctant to develop strategies that target this powerful voting bloc. Latinas’ perspectives do not get prioritized, possibly because they do not contribute enough to political candidates’ campaigns or their voter histories are not as lengthy as mature, non-Hispanic white voters. 

Yet, the stakes to integrate Latinas from the periphery to the core of American politics cannot be understated. Almost one  month apart, this year’s presidential election and Latina Equal Pay Day on October 3, 2024, underscore the real need for policy action to tackle persistent wage inequality facing women, especially Latinas. Latina leaders have been at the forefront of championing workers rights and Latinx prosperity. Organizations like MANA have been fighting for over 50 years to advocate for equal pay and Latina labor leaders like Susie Martinez with the Nevada State AFL-CIO and Lorena Gonzalez with the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, who are fighting to protect workers and negotiate for higher wages and benefits. We know that placing women in leadership positions drives meaningful policy change to champion gender justice; it is not enough for civil society leaders and interest groups to shoulder the burden of systemic inequality without substantial resources and strong government partnerships. 

Latinas continue to experience a status quo of invisibility, erasure, and censure. A recent poll by UnidosUS, Entravision, and AltaMed revealed that more than 48% of Latino voters have not been contacted at all by either party or their candidates. This, as surveys suggest, Arizona’s abortion ballot initiative could receive more votes among Latinx voters than Vice President Kamala Harris, who has long championed reproductive freedom. Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton raiding the homes of abuelas who are members of the nation’s oldest Latino civil rights group as part of an election investigation this September mirrors tactics used against Black organizers fighting for basic rights. While viewed as a threat to some, Latinas’ potential to advance meaningful change for communities has not been widely recognized by those who can most benefit from their electoral participation. 

This is a moment of both opportunity and urgency. At Latina Futures, we will continue to amplify the voices of today’s and tomorrow’s leaders to fight for an economy and democracy that work for all of us.

In solidarity,

Veronica Terriquez

Co-founder, Latina Futures 2050 Lab

Sonja Diaz

Co-founder, Latina Futures 2050 Lab

In our latest research brief, Latina Voters Can Shape the Future of American Politics, Latina Futures dives deep into the pivotal role of Latina voters in the upcoming election, showcasing their power to influence outcomes, including the 2024 presidential race. The brief examines the Latina electorate in key states and the power they have to shift political dynamics across the country. Media coverage from Latin Times and Women's Media Center highlights the power of Latinas to be a deciding force in elections and the urgency of addressing issues important to Latina voters.

Legislative Policy + Advocacy

Founding Members of Unseen Latinas Initiative Reflect on Their Legacy

In a recent conversation, Latina Futures champions California Assembly Members Wendy Carrillo and Luz Rivas shared their proudest accomplishments and challenges that they faced during their time in the Assembly as well as their visions for the future of Latina leadership in the State. Both trailblazers have broken barriers in their political careers, advocating for gender equity, environmental justice, and the Latinx community. Carrillo highlighted her work on Latina-led initiatives and equitable representation in media, while Rivas emphasized her leadership on climate change and securing resources for Los Angeles County. Despite facing sexism and anti-Latina sentiment, both leaders have paved the way for future Latina generations, inspiring continued progress in government and policy.

Arts + Culture 

Amplifying Latina Voices: Driving Narrative Change 

At Latina Futures, we are dedicated to uplifting and amplifying the voices of Latinas whose incredible contributions, resilience, and leadership will shape the country’s future for generations. From cultural preservation to breaking barriers in politics, STEM, and business, Latinas continue to pave the way forward with their vision and strength. This month, we want to uplift Rebecca Guzman, the creative force behind our Amplifying Latina Voices work. With her visual storytelling, Rebecca is ensuring Latina leaders across sectors are no longer invisible. 

As we close Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite you to watch our latest video in our "Empowered Voices" series. In the video, we spotlight Latina leaders like Mirella Diaz Santos and Yohualli Anaya, sharing the need for a dedicated Latina agenda and some of the key priorities Latina leaders are pursuing to drive change in communities. Additionally, check out the first video in the series focused on the Latina experience. As we look ahead, we remain committed to amplifying the voices of Latinas and ensuring that our stories, our struggles, and our successes continue to shape the national conversation.

Leading the Conversation on Political Power

In case you missed Latina Futures’ first webinar, “Women of Color in the 2024 Election: Preferences and Power,” now is the time to catch it on YouTube. Moderated by Celia Lacayo, panelists Jennifer Jones,  G.Cristina Mora, and Janelle Wong dove into their research, highlighting the influence of Latinas and other women-of-color voters in shaping electoral outcomes, and offered key insights into how political candidates can effectively and consistently engage these voters. Cronkite News covered the event; read more here. 

Be sure to register for our next webinar on October 23. This event will explore how Latina leaders are mobilizing communities to fight for a multicultural democracy that works for everyone. Learn more about the strategies organizations are using to drive voter engagement and participation from a Latina lens, with an emphasis on engaging youthful, diverse voters in the Sunbelt. You don’t want to miss this important conversation. 

Event Details

Date: October 23, 2024
Time: 11-12:30 PM PDT / 2-3 PM EDT
Location: Zoom

Join us on November 1 for a special Día de los Muertos event hosted by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center in partnership with Latina Futures. This event will honor the legacy of environmental justice leader Cindy Montañez and highlight the ongoing work around to address environmental inequities in California. Space is limited; RSVP to reserve your spot today.

Latina Futures Election Experts on the Power of Latina Voters

As the 2024 election approaches, Latina voters are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping electoral outcomes in key battleground states. Latina Futures is proud to highlight the expertise of our election experts, who have long studied this critical voting demographic. Leaders like Veronica Terriquez, Sonja Diaz, and Jean Guerrero bring unique and different insights into the motivations of Latina voters, their impact on democracy, and the importance of civic engagement in advancing equity. From immigration and healthcare to economic justice, Latinas are influencing the national conversation. Learn more about their work and the vital role of Latina voters.

Veronica Terriquez’s insights on the election and voting behavior of Gen Z were featured in Spectrum News  and the Women’s Media Center. 

Sonja Diaz talked to Bloomberg on the push to court Hispanic voters in swing states and connected with NPR and the Wall Street Journal to talk border and immigration issues. 

Jean Guerrero appeared on Democracy Now after the presidential debate and wrote in The New Republic that Kamala Harris should reframe immigration as a gun control issue. 

Civic engagement was front and center at an event hosted by Celia Lacayo and Claudia Sandoval focused on political polarization and community dialogue.

Gina Garcia’s work on Hispanic Serving Institutions has made waves with speeches at Pasadena City College and Elgin Community College. The Daily Californian covered her recent appointment as the inaugural faculty director of UC Berkeley’s Latinx Thriving Initiatives.

Arlene Dávila champions Latinx art at the new NYU Latinx Book Fair. 

Santa Maria Times featured Gloria Soto and Future Leaders of America's work to continue opening doors for Latino youth through educational programs and leadership initiatives. 

Yohuali Anaya has been recognized as a 2024 HDRI scholar, contributing to groundbreaking research in family medicine, including her recent work on “contiguity” in the Annals of Family Medicine. 

Jean Guerrero writes about Latina perspectives on egg freezing for The New York Times, discussing navigating financial barriers and cultural and generational concerns on the procedure. 

 Latina Futures is looking for strong candidates who believe in its mission to advance effective leadership, full inclusion and authentic narratives. We are hiring for the following key positions:

Latina Futures Director

Latina Futures Senior Development Officer

Latina Futures Senior Communications Manager

Contact Us

info@LatinaFutures.org