MAY 2023
AN EMPOWERING LATINO FUTURES PUBLICATION SERVING NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY
SAVE
THE
DATE!
JUNE 10TH
IS THE
LATINO
BOOK &
FAMILY
FESTIVAL
SALUD
SALUD
LATINAS IN
LATINAS IN
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL
EMPOWERMENT
EMPOWERMENT
TIPS
TIPS
CIVISMO CON
CIVISMO CON
MARÍA NÚÑEZ
MARÍA NÚÑEZ
Y ARCELA NÚÑEZ
Y ARCELA NÚÑEZ
THE WOMEN’S
ISSUE
MUJERES
MANO A MANO:
DRA. BEATRIZ VILLARREAL
INSTILLS FAMILY VALUES
MUJERES
THE WOMEN’S
ISSUE
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
MAYO 2023
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VOLUME 3, ISSUE 21
On the cover: La Dra. Beatriz Villarreal of Mano a Mano
Foundation. Photo by Angelika Zamora-Rodriguez.
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EDITOR IN CHIEF: Melanie Slone, PhD
editor@northcountyinformador.com
P: (760) 645-3455
ART DIRECTOR: María Fernanda Álvarez
EDITOR: Yenni Patiño
EDUCATION BEGINS IN THE HOME: Edward Becerra
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Martha Zamora
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EMPOWERING LATINO FUTURES BOARD
Edward James Olmos, CHAIR
Kirk Whisler, PRESIDENT
Katharine A. Díaz, VICE PRESIDENT OF AUTHORS
Edward Becerra, VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION
Lisa Montes, SECRETARY
Martin Valdez, TREASURER
Rocky Barilla, LEGAL COUNSEL
BOARD MEMBERS: Julia Abrantes,
Rene Aguilera, Victor Gonzalez, Andres Tobar
ELF Emeritus Board Members
Nora de Hoyos Comstock, Dennis Hernandez,
Zeke Montes, Ambassador Julian Nava ,
Jesus Nieto, PhD
Events
The Latino Book & Family Festival
Feature
Women’s Issues: Helpful Hints to
Live Your Best Life
Health
Healthy Women, Healthy
Communities
Education
The Push for More Latinas in
Higher Education, by Beatriz
Palmer
Financial Empowerment
Sí se puede: Tips for Latina
Businesswomen
Civic Engagement
Latinas in Local Government and
the Fight to Get More Involved
Feature
Strong, Drug-free Families:
Dr. Beatriz Villarreal works
‘one-on-one’ to instill
family values
Services
Free Books, Food Services
Eventos
The Latino Book & Family Festival
Artículo
Asuntos de mujeres: consejos
útiles para llevar una vida plena
Salud
Mujeres sanas, comunidades
sanas
Educación
El impulso para más latinas en la
educación superior, por Beatriz
Palmer
Educación financiera
Sí se puede: Consejos
para latinas empresarias
Civismo
Latinas en el gobierno local y la
lucha por atraer a más
Artículo
Familias fuertes, sin drogas:
Dra. Beatriz Villarreal trabaja
‘mano a mano’ para inculcar
valores en las familias
Servicios
Libros y comida gratis
IN THIS ISSUE
Latinas take center stage
Women are becoming more visible in all areas of our
communities, and Latinas, even more so. Through
conversations with Latina community leaders, this
issue offers tips in the different life situations where
women are making a difference.
Write us: editor@NorthCountyInformador.com
Subscribe to our eNewsletter.
____________________________________
El foco ilumina a las latinas
Las mujeres se están volviendo cada vez más visibles
en todas las áreas de nuestras comunidades, y más las
latinas. Mediante pláticas con líderes comunitarias
latinas, este número ofrece consejos en las diferentes
situaciones donde las mujeres están marcando pauta.
Escríbannos: editor@NorthCountyInformador.com
Suscríbanse a nuestro eNewsletter
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EN ESTE NÚMERO
MAYO 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
Las Valientes
22nd Anniversary Honoring
15 Women who left their
abusive relationships with a
Quinceañera
- May 20, 2023, 4–10 p.m.
- Local Roots Kambucha
- 1430 Vantage Ct., Vista
92081
- Performance by Elena
Castañeda
- Food by Mrs. Taco
- Local roots will be donating
20% of all beverage sales
- $50
https://allevents.in/
vista/las-quinceaneras/
200024390419141
Vista Strawberry Festival
May 28, 2023, 8 a.m–6 p.m.
https://vistastrawberryfest.
com
Care not Cages:
Alternatives to Incarceration
- Presented by Lived
Experiences
- May 30, 2023, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
- University of San Diego
- 5998 Alcala Park Way, San
Diego 92110
- Free event, lunch provided
- Mass incarceration, its
drivers, and what we should
do to empty prisons
https://www.livedexperiences.
org/carenotcages
One Safe Place Spring
Lunch & Learn Series
- Alzheimer’s & Dementia:
Facts and Figures
- One Safe Place Large
Training Room (in-person
event)
- 1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd
#351, San Marcos 92069
- May 30, 2023, 12–1:30 p.m.
- Presenter: Nellie Hernandez,
Alzheimer’s San Diego
EVENTS
ACTIVIDADES
Women in Entertainment
- Mariachis Diva, the Grammy-
winning, all-women mariachi band
led by Cindy Shea, offered a show
at the California Center for the
Arts in Escondido, Sunday, April
16, performing with Tierra Caliente
Academy and LuMaya. These women
entertainers lit up the stage and
lifted their voices in a celebration of
music and culture.
Las mujeres en el
entretenimiento
- Mariachis Diva, la banda mariachi
de puras mujeres dirigidas por
Cindy Shea y ganadoras del premio
Grammy, dieron un espectáculo en el
Centro para las artes en Escondido
el domingo, 16 de abril, juntas con la
Academia Tierra Caliente y LuMaya.
Estas mujeres artistas iluminaron el
escenario y levantaron la voz en una
celebración de música y cultura.
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
MAYO 2023
Coming in June, the Latino Book & Family Festival
Highlights Culture and Literacy
When: June 10, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, 92506
En junio, el Festival Latino del Libro y de
la Familia realza la cultura y la lectura
When: June 10, 2023, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, 92506
http://www.LBFF.us
mpowering Latino Futures is excited
to invite everyone to participate in
the 7th Annual Latino Book & Family
Festival. This year’s festival promises to
be bigger and better than ever before with
over 100 booths divided into five villages,
including Authors, Children’s, Communi-
ty, Education, and Health, as well as Food
and Entertainment.
ELF’s Latino Book & Family Festival is
a celebration of Latino culture, literature,
and family. This year, the festival will
feature keynote speakers Reyna Grande,
author of “The Distance Between Us,” “A
Dream Called Home,” “Across a Hundred
Mountains,” “Dancing with Butterflies,”
and “A Ballad of Love and Glory,” and
Jimmy Figueroa, Executive Director
of Operation Hope and a motivational
speaker from Oceanside. Additionally,
there will be a series of workshops featu-
ring authors, health topics, educational
topics, and financial empowerment.
Live entertainment will include the Sa-
brosa Latin Orchestra, while youth enter-
tainment will feature the San Bernardino
Ballet Folklorico Cultural, Vista Rancho
Buena Vista Mariachi Band, Oceansi-
de Foussat Elementary Steel Drums,
Escondido Rose Elementary Ignite Dance
Group, and Vista Ballet Folklorico Tierra
Caliente Academy of Arts.
ELF’s 2023 Festival Partners include
MiraCosta College, TrueCare, MACC,
Molina Healthcare, North San Diego Pro-
mise, Family Health Center of SD, Fondo
de Cultura Económica, MyPoint Credit
Union, Neighborhood Healthcare, San
Diego Gas & Electric, Vista Community
Clinic, and Tina Zucker.
Empowering Latino Futures has been
working to uplift Latinos since 1997. North
County Informador is the latest addition
to our successful programs that have hel-
ped increase literacy and opened oppor-
tunities for Latinos. These programs in-
clude 70 Latino Book & Family Festivals;
25 International Latino Book Awards,
where 3,755 titles for and about Latinos
were honored; 208,000+ books given away
through Education Begins in the Home;
the Latino Books into Movies Awards, and
the National Latino & American Indian
Scholarship Directory.
mpowering Latino Futures se enorgullece en invitarlos al
7mo anual Festival Latino del libro y de la familia. El festival
este año promete ser más grande que nunca con más de 100
puestos divididos en cinco áreas, que incluyen autores, niños,
comunidad, educación y salud, así como comida y entreteni-
miento.
El Festival Latino del Libro y de la Familia de ELF es una
celebración de la cultura y la literatura latinas y de la familia.
Este año, los presentadores principales serán Reyna Grande, la
autora de “La distancia entre nosotros”, “A Dream Called Home,”
“Across a Hundred Mountains,” “Dancing with Butterflies,” y “A
Ballad of Love and Glory,”; y Jimmy Figueroa, el director ejecu-
tivo de Operation Hope y un orador inspiracional de Oceanside.
Además, habría una serie de talleres con los autores y sobre
temas de salud, educación y empoderamiento financiero.
ENTRETENIMIENTO EN VIVO
Orquesta Sabrosa Latin
Kainga Music – tambores de acero
San Bernardino Ballet Folklórico Cultural
Vista Rancho Buena Vista Mariachi Band
Oceanside, Foussat Elementary – tambores de acero
Escondido Rose Elementary – Grupo Ignite Dance
Ballet Folklórico Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts
Los patrocinadores de ELF para el Festival de 2023 incluyen
MiraCosta College, TrueCare, MACC, Molina Healthcare, North
San Diego Promise, Family Health Center of SD, Fondo de Cultu-
ra Económica, MyPoint Credit Union, Neighborhood Healthcare,
San Diego Gas & Electric, Vista Community Clinic y Tina Zucker.
Empowering Latino Futures trabaja para empoderar a los
latinos desde 1997. North County Informador es el más nuevo
de nuestros programas exitosos que han ayudado a mejorar la
lectura y han abierto las oportunidades para los latinos. Es-
tos programas incluyen 70 Festivales Latinos del libro y de la
familia; 25 Premios Internacionales de Libros Latinos, donde se
han galardonado a 3,755 títulos escritos por y para los latinos;
Education Begins in the Home, donde se han regalado más de
208 mil libros; los Premios Libros Latinos se Hacen Películas; y el
Directorio Nacional de Becas para Latinos e Indígenas Nativos.
MAYO 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
WOMEN’S ISSUES
HELPFUL HINTS TO LIVE
YOUR BEST LIFE
omen make up more than half of
the population in North County
San Diego. We are presenting helpful
hints to help these women live their best
lives through interviews with Latinas
who stand out in their area of expertise.
The list below offers some resources
geared toward women.
ASUNTOS DE MUJERES
CONSEJOS ÚTILES PARA
LLEVAR UNA VIDA PLENA
as mujeres constituyen más de la mitad
de la población en el Norte del Condado
de San Diego. Aquí, presentamos consejos
útiles para ayudar a estas mujeres a llevar una
vida plena, mediante entrevistas con latinas
que destacan en su área de conocimiento. La
lista a continuación ofrece algunos recursos
orientados hacia las mujeres.
ORGANIZATION
WEBSITE / SITIO
SERVICES
SERVICIOS
Women’s Resource Center
www.wrcsd.org
1963 Apple St., Oceanside
Aid for survivors of sexual
abuse
Asistencia para mujeres en
situación de abuso sexual
Foundation for
Women Warriors
https://foundationforwom-
enwarriors.org
1185 Park Center Dr.,
Vista 92081
Military women
Mujeres parientes de
militares
Línea de intervención en
crisis Centro de Recursos
para la Mujer
760-757-3500
Domestic Violence help
Asistencia con casos de
violencia doméstica
YWCA
619-234-3164
24-hour hotline for DV
victims
Línea de 24 horas para
víctimas de violencia
doméstica
Carol’s House
www.crcncc.org
1-877-633-1111
info@crcncc.org
Emergency shelter with 24
beds for women DV victims
and their children, for 45–60
days as they receive other
services
Albergue de emergencia
con 24 camas para mujeres
víctimas de violencia
doméstica y sus hijos,
por 45–60 días, mientras
reciben otros servicios
Las Valientes
www.lasvalientes.org
760-439-1133
Help for Latina women; legal
programs related to DV
Ayuda a mujeres de la
comunidad hispana
con programas legales
asociados con la violencia
doméstica
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
MAYO 2023
ORGANIZATION
WEBSITE / SITIO
SERVICES
SERVICIOS
San Diego County
www.sandiegocounty.gov
Help signing up for food
and assistance: Cal-Learn,
CalWORKs, Children in Need,
Inc., CalFresh, Healthy San
Diego, Medi-Cal
Inscripción a servicios de
asistencia y de alimentos:
Cal-Learn, CalWORKs,
CAPI, Children in Need, Inc.,
CalFresh, Healthy San Diego,
Medi-Cal
TrueCare North County
Health Services
www.truecare.org
760-736-6767
605 Crouch St., Oceanside
92054
Certified specialists to help
sign up for CalFresh, Medi-
Cal, or Covered California
Especialistas en
inscripciones certificadas
para asistir a pacientes
a inscribirse en CalFresh,
Medi-Cal o Covered
California
Vista Community Clinic
(VCC)
Insurance and Benefits
Enrollment Services
www.vistacommunityclinic.
org
844-308-5003
818 Pier View Way,
Oceanside
517 N. Horne St.,
Oceanside, 92054
4700 N. River Road,
Oceanside, 92057
Help signing up for health
insurance programs and
public benefits for low- or
mid-income individuals,
such as Covered California,
Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and WIC
Ayuda para inscribir a
pacientes en los programas
de seguro médico y
beneficios públicos
disponibles a individuos de
ingresos bajos o medianos,
como Covered California,
Medi-Cal, CalFresh y WIC
TrueCare Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC)
Supplemental Nutrition
Program
888-477-6333
2210 Mesa Dr., Suite 100,
Oceanside 92054
Supplementary nutrition
program for people who
are pregnant, babies, and
children up to 5
Programa de nutrición
suplementaria para
embarazadas, bebés y niños
hasta los 5 años
Maternal Child Health,
North Coastal Region (salud
maternal e infantil) Health &
Human Services Agency
www.sandiegocounty.gov
760-967-4401
3609 Ocean Ranch Blvd.,
92056
Home visits to low-income,
at-risk women during
pregnancy and post-
partum, and for children up
to 5
Visitas a domicilio a mujeres
en riesgo, de bajos ingresos,
durante el embarazo y
posparto y a los niños hasta
los 5 años.
Mission Mesa Women’s
Health Center
2210 Mesa Drive, Suite 5,
Oceanside 92054
Comprehensive women’s
health including pregnancy,
childbirth, birth control,
preventive care, and annual
checkups
Cuidado de salud a la mujer
integral como el embarazo,
parto, control natal,
chequeos preventivos y
exámenes anuales
Family Recovery Center
760-439-6702
Home visits and outpatient
care for people who are
pregnant or caring for a
child up to 10. Services:
checkups, substance abuse
treatment, counseling,
mental health services,
childcare education, child
therapy, and more
Tratamiento residencial y
ambulatorio para mujeres
embarazadas o cuidando
a un niño hasta 10 años
Servicios: evaluaciones,
tratamiento para el abuso
de sustancias, consejería,
servicios de salud mental,
educación sobre la crianza,
terapia infantil y más
One Safe Place
1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd.
#351
San Marcos 92069
Child abuse, sexual assault,
DV, hate crime, elder abuse,
human trafficking, violent
loss, family violence
Abuso a menores, asalto
sexual, violencia doméstica,
crimen de odio, abuso a
mayores, trata de blancas,
pérdida violenta, violencia
familiar
Women, Infants and
Children Services (WIC)
1906 Oceanside Blvd.
Oceanside 92054
760-433-6203
Food stamps, financial
help, housing and rent
assistance, electric bill
assistance, food assistance
programs, utility bill
assistance programs
Vales de comida, asistencia
financiera, asistencia con
vivienda y renta y con la
cuenta de luz, asistencia
alimenticia y de paga de
utilidades
MAYO 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
HEALTH
SALUD
Healthy Women,
Healthy Communities
t is important for women to remember to take care of
themselves.
“The most prevalent issue is probably just lack of
preventative care. I think there’s so much stigma associated
with accessing care on a regular basis,” says Michelle
Gonzalez, CEO of TrueCare.
“Establishing care with a provider on a regular basis is so
critical to warding off long-term chronic issues.”
Women often tend to take care of others first. Whether
it be their spouse, their children, other family members,
or even community members, women sometimes find it
easier to look after the health of others than their own. But
it is impossible to care for someone else when you are not as
healthy as you could be.
Women’s Health
All women, including Latinas, should be aware
of certain health issues that are unique to them.
Reproductive care is important for everyone, even
women who do not have a partner. Local clinics and
hospitals can provide care regarding menstruation;
childbirth and childcare; and urine, cervical, and
breast cancer. The best way to stay healthy is to do
your scheduled preventative screenings. When cancer
or other health issues are caught early, they are much
more likely you can be treatable.
See our list of women’s health resources if you need
medical orientation or if you or your family needs food
or other assistance.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, it is very important to get prenatal
care, not only for you but also for your baby. According
to government statistics, babies of mothers who do not
get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a
low birth weight and five times more likely to die than
those born to mothers who do get care.
Also, doctors can help you treat any problems if
they catch them early.
Menopause
A woman reaches menopause when she has gone one
year with no period. The average age in the United
States is 52. Menopause can increase the risks of
heart disease, strokes, osteoporosis, lead poisoning,
high blood pressure, kidney problems, urinary
incontinence, and oral issues. Visiting a doctor
can help you deal with these symptoms and lead a
healthier, more satisfying life.
Depression
Depression is a mental health illness and is present
when you lose interest or find no pleasure in daily
activities for at least two weeks. It is one of the most
common mental health conditions in the United
States and is complex, involving your body, your
mood, and your thoughts.
According to the US government, women are
almost twice as likely to have symptoms of depression
as men. Depression can be treated, so it is important
not to be afraid or ashamed to talk to a doctor or a
trusted counselor about it.
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
MAYO 2023
Mujeres sanas,
comunidades sanas
s primordial que las mujeres tomen el tiempo para
cuidarse a sí mismas.
“El problema más prevalente sería simplemente la falta
de cuidado preventivo. Creo que hay tanto estigma asociado
con el acceso a la atención médica de manera regular”, dice
Michelle Gonzalez, la CEO de TrueCare.
“Es tan crítico establecer una relación con un médico de
manera regular para prevenir los problemas crónicos a largo
plazo”.
Las mujeres suelen preocuparse más por otras personas.
Ya sea su pareja, sus hijos, otros parientes o hasta miembros
de la comunidad, las mujeres a veces colocan el bienestar de
los demás por encima del suyo. Pero es imposible que una
mujer cuide a alguien más cuando ella no está sana.
Salud en mujeres
Todas las mujeres, también las latinas, tienen que conocer
ciertos problemas de salud que corresponden a su género. La
salud reproductiva es importante para todas, aun cuando no
se tenga pareja. Las clínicas y los hospitales locales pueden
proporcionar cuidados respecto a la menstruación; el parto;
el cuidado de menores; y el cáncer de uterino, cérvico y
mama. La mejor manera de mantenerse sana es acudir a
las citas preventivas. Cuando se descubre el cáncer u otros
problemas médicos en etapa inicial, es mucho más probable
que se pueda tratar.
Revisen nuestra lista de recursos para las mujeres si
requieren de orientación médica o si usted o su familia
necesita asistencia alimenticia o de otros servicios.
El embarazo
Si usted está embarazada, es esencial que reciba cuidados
prenatales, no solamente por su bien sino por el bien de su
bebé. Según estadísticas del gobierno, los bebés de madres
que no reciben cuidados prenatales tienen tres veces más
probabilidades de nacer con peso bajo, y cinco veces más
probabilidad de fallecer que los de las madres que sí reciben
cuidados.
Además, los doctores pueden ayudarle a enfrentar
cualquier problema si se detecta a tiempo.
La menopausia
Una mujer llega a la menopausia cuando ha pasado
un año completo sin menstruar. El promedio de edad
para la menopausia en Estados Unidos es de 52 años. La
menopausia puede aumentar el riesgo de problemas cardiacos,
derrames cerebrales, osteoporosis, envenenamiento por plomo,
hipertensión, problemas renales, incontinencia urinaria y
problemas bucales. Ver a un médico puede ayudar a lidiar con
estos síntomas y a llevar una vida más sana y satisfactoria.
La depresión
La depresión es una enfermedad mental que se presenta con
la pérdida de interés o falta de placer en las actividades diarias
a lo largo de dos semanas al menos. Es una de las condiciones
de salud mental más comunes en Estados Unidos y es muy
compleja, con manifestaciones corporales, de humor y en el
pensamiento.
Según el gobierno de Estados Unidos, las mujeres son dos
veces más propensas que los hombres de manifestar síntomas de
depresión. La depresión puede tratarse, así que es importante no
tener miedo ni sentir vergüenza para platicarlo con un médico o
con una consejera de confianza.
10
MAYO 2023
WWW.NORTHCOUNTYINFORMADOR.COM
EDUCATION
EDUCACIÓN
The Push for More Latinas
in Higher Education
By Beatriz Palmer, Program Manager, Service Learning & Volunteer Center
BEATRIZ PALMER:
Her Journey
to Program
Director & Doctoral Student
“To think about me in education makes
me really emotional because my mom
and dad didn’t know how to read and
write…,” Beatriz (Bea) Palmer, the
program manager at MiraCosta College’s
Service Learning & Volunteer Center, told
North County Informador.
Bea shared her education journey as a
self-identifying Black Indigenous Latina
who is a first-generation high school and
college graduate, now studying for her
doctoral degree in Higher Education at
San Diego State.
“My parents were farmworkers, so for
me, this is a new playing field. I know
that growing up, a lot of my teachers
didn’t look like me,” she said. Today, she
recognizes the responsibility she has in
influencing others.
Bea grew up “undocumented” in
Oceanside. Her family had moved 25
times by the time she was a high school
senior. After getting amnesty, she
attended MiraCosta College. “I was here
like maybe three weeks, and I just don’t
remember seeing anyone that looked like
me,” so she switched to secretarial school.
“My parents would say, oh, you’re
going to be a secretaria, because that’s as
far as they can dream,” she explained.
In her search for fulfillment, she
applied for a secretarial position that took
her back to MiraCosta, in service learning
and volunteerism. Today, she is the
program director.
“Now, the majority of our students
doing service learning are Latinos
because I helped place them back in the
community,” she said. “I hear others
doing the same… we’re telling our
stories.”
Education can open doors and provide
upward mobility, she said, “but it’s even
bigger than that…Our whole life we’ve
been told that working the ground with
our hands was something to be ashamed
of.” But without these workers, we
wouldn’t have the produce we enjoy. “And
education just opens your eyes to that,”
she said.
She believes education helps people
understand their identity and history
without rejecting it or leaving their
community behind. “Beatriz Palmer, the
undocumented, first-generation is now
telling her story so that others can learn
about their own identity through Ethnic
Studies,” a program for which she is on
the committee that designs the
curriculum, she said.
In her sociology class at Central Texas
College Camp Pendleton, Bea teaches
students of all ethnicities to be authentic.
“You have to own your greatness. You
have it. You just have to own it,” she said.
ccording to Excelencia in Education, as of fall 2020, 48% of
women attending a Hispanic Serving Institution of higher
education are Latinas, and we make up two-thirds of the student
population at these universities.
Even though we are completing degrees at higher rate than
male Latinos, we still have room for growth, because only 29%
of us have completed an associate or higher degree. According
to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2018–2019,
Latinas held 15.7% of bachelor’s degrees, 11.6% of master’s
degrees, and only 8.8% of doctoral degrees.
We need more of us to apply for school and mentor other
hermanas so they can help get these statistics up.
We can’t do this alone; we need each other! I am so humbled
and proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and
applying for the master’s and then the doctoral degree. I am
happy to report I finished the master’s in sociology from Arizona
State University two years ago, during the pandemic, and I
applied to the doctoral program at San Diego State University. I
was one of 12 who was accepted! It’s also exciting because, to my
surprise, about 60% of candidates in the program are Latinos!
We are about to change our communities and the education
system. ¡Pa’latne!
Bea’s tips for success
for college students
Find a mentor “that will pour into
them, that will connect them with other
people.”
Volunteer in community engagement
and internships because it’s harder to
do once you finish school. Use federal
work study dollars to get paid and start
developing skills and include volunteer
hours on your résumés.
Education does not necessarily make
you rich. Learn about financial literacy,
school debt, and community college,
where the first two years of higher
education can be free.
Tap into local community colleges.
They offer free classes, certificate
classes, such as computers, English as
a Second Language, even volunteerism.
“There’s a path for everyone,” Bea said,
for recent high school graduates, “all
the way to the abuelitas.”
MiraCosta College can help students
looking for that path. “We’re here to
serve you,” said Bea. “We’re a Hispanic-
serving Institution. If there’s anyone
looking for where to start, I would say,
start here.”