Relentless in Our Advocacy
By Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07)
Thirty years ago, I had the honor to grace the cover of the inaugural edition of LATINA Style, the first national magazine dedicated to the needs of Latina professional women. Back then, there was a growing recognition of the power of Latinas, but by and large, our potential had yet to be fully realized. When the magazine was created, I was just beginning my career in Washington. I had been elected in a tough race against a longtime incumbent, becoming the first Puerto Rican woman ever elected to Congress. When I got to DC, I found Congress to be a place that was often inhospitable to Latinas and other people of color. Fortunately, today, much has changed. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of LATINA Style, I’d like to reflect on my own career and the incredible progress Latinas have made during that time.
For the first issue of LATINA Style, I appeared with Lucille Roybal-Allard and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. At that time, we were the only three Latinas serving in the House of Representatives. We had to fight tooth and nail to be seen and heard, to make our colleagues take us and the issues that Latinos faced seriously. We were relentless in our advocacy and worked to prove that Latinas deserved a seat at the table in Washington. And we succeeded.
In 2006, I became the first Latina to Chair a full Congressional committee. Three years later in 2009, as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I worked with President Obama to nominate and confirm Sonia Sotomayor as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice. In 2016, we elected the first Latina Senator, and during the 118th Congress, I had the honor to serve alongside a record 46 Latino lawmakers, including 17 Latinas.
The growing power of Latinas in Washington has been mirrored across the country. As Latinas have come to make up a greater share of the population, they have become more prominent in every facet of American life. From government to arts and entertainment and corporate America, Latinas have continued to reach new heights and move our country forward.
There are over two million Latina-owned businesses in the United States, growing more than 87% since 2007. Latinas now comprise the second-largest group of women workers in the U.S., and these numbers are only expected to grow.
Sadly, there is still work to be done. Latinas have just 1% of corporate board seats at Fortune 500 companies, face barriers to promotion, and earn 57 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. These are major challenges, but they are no match for our determination to improve the circumstances of working Latinas.
We are all together in this fight. I know that many LATINA Style readers have already achieved success in their current field, but I encourage you to do all you can to bring young Latinas along with you. One of my favorite parts of being a senior leader in the Hispanic Caucus is the opportunity to help new lawmakers navigate the institution I’ve had the privilege to serve in for over 30 years. The passion and drive that I see from the young Latinas across the country is very reassuring that this next generation will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.
I believe that the potential of Latinas in America is limitless. But it is incumbent upon every one of us to ensure we create this better future. Latinas are strong, we are fierce, we are the future, and there is nothing we can’t do.
LATINA Style Magazine Vol. 30, No. 3, 2024