A once-a-year event highlights successful Latina women.
Photo courtesy of Conference
Adelante Mujer (Forward Moving Women) was a program created by Latina women for Latina women in 1976. From then on the leaders of the program have dedicated much time and effort to provide educational activities for the youth and their communities.
The LaTEENa Conference began four years ago, with the main goal of stressing the importance of their credo for all the girls attending: “We want the girls to see the vision of healthy, happy, and successful lifestyles for Latinas and families in the future,” said Dolores Martinez, the Vice President for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors.
This year’s conference took place at Regis University on Saturday, October 17. More than 100 Latinas from the DPS area participated, many of whom attend North, Lincoln and East High School. “Every year the conference is one of the many events I look forward to,” said Diamond Montreal, one of the returning students.
The conference focuses on teaching young women life skills and the use of resources that will help them in future years. “The workshops are focused on things that these women will encounter in future years. Giving them hands-on experience to these things allows them to be prepared to face the real world, “ said Dora Gonzales, the coordinator for the event.
Most of the workshops focused on self-esteem, marketing, public speaking and health, all with an emphasis on leadership and community involvement. “We want the girls to learn these skills from women they can relate to and connect with. The main focus of all of this is to get these girls to help themselves and bring back to the Latina community,” said Sandy Sandoval, the presenter for the self-esteem workshop. “Creating strong leaders will create a strong future,” she added.
In the workshops, the girls were able to interact with other students who have had similar lifestyles and problems, making the event a place to make new friends and connect with other Latina leaders. The conference also provided opportunities for the students to be involved in their communities and with career related activities. They also had the opportunity to meet Michelle Griego, CBS News reporter and alumni to the conference. “Coming here is almost like making a full circle. I went to an Adelante Mujer Conference in the late 90’s, right before going into high school, and I can say that it was a very important part of the decisions I made later on,” said Griego.
The conference also opened up the opportunity to join the LaTEENa Leadership Program, where students learn more-in dept skills and are offered scholarship and intern opportunities. “As part of the leadership program I was given my internship at CIRC (Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition). The program has opened many doors for the people who have attended it. It’s made me, personally more aware of all the things my community has to offer,” said Montreal.
“ Adelante Mujer has been growing just like the women who work in it. It was an all-family event at first. I attended my first conference with my abuelita and my mother, and now I bring my daughter here to learn from all these young women, “ said Griego.
To learn more about the Conference and the leadership program contact Dolorez Martinez at 303-941-9317 or email her at AdelanteMujer1@aol.com.
