In
The News...
Fall 2006
 The Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength and Success was just selected for the 2007 California Collection for High Schools by the California Readers Association. Woo-Hoo!! What an honor! It aligns with Sylvia's mission to promote inspirational Latina role models to young people. Sylvia will be speaking at the CRA conference in Sacramento in November. You can check out the mission of this non-profit organization at www.californiareaders.org
Nancy Marmolejo, life and success coach and founder of Comadre Coaching has won the Anna Maria Arias Award for her business savvy and inspirational entrepreneurship. Read about Nancy's success; she mentions Sylvia in the article.
Check out the book Fearless Women by Alspaugh and Kentz. It is a coffee table pictorial of strong women wielding a sword, symbolizing their strength through their evolution from age 20 to their 40's. Includes celebrities and unsung heroines.
Sylvia won first place for feature story writing by the Southern California Media Professionals, a chapter of the National Federation of Press Women. The article: The Lost Boys of Sudan. Check out the story here.
The media promotes impossible beauty standards but smart women know it's our brains, passion and purpose that make us sparkle. Check out The REAL Hot 100 Young Women at http://therealhot100.org It is a wonderful site that highlights young, smart, savvy and active women. REAL hotties fought Abercrombie & Fitch for discrimination and won!!
Sylvia spoke at the 5th Annual Building Latina Success Conference in San Diego, sponsored by the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and MANA, a non-profit organization whose mission is to "empower Latinas through leadership development, community service and advocacy." MANA, may be short for "Hermana" (sister) but we also learned that in Hawaiian, MANA means "divine energy." It seemed appropriate! Make plans to attend next year's conference for a stimulating, inspiring and rewarding day. Check out: www.sdchcc.com and
www.sdmana.org
Sylvia has her first cover story in the current issue (Oct/Nov) of SIEMPRE MUJER magazine!! "Siempre Inspiran" profiles six fabulously inspirational Latinas including Cristina Saralegui, Sofia Vergara, Giselle Fernandez-Farrand, Paloma Herrera, Shakira, and Lt. Colonel Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch. Sylvia was once again inspired by strong, successful women. Look for the magazine on newsstands (Barnes & Noble, Albertson's Grocery Store). The cover features Sofia Vergara. www.siempremujer.com
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Women Changing the World...
We LEARN FROM OUR DAUGHTERS
Age Has Nothing to Do with Activism and Power
By Sylvia Mendoza
After speaking at the national conference of Lambda Theta Alpha (first Latin Sorority in the nation!) in June in Florida, I hung out. As a journalist, it's my duty to observe, perhaps ask a question or two and soak in all the info I can.
I met many young women as they introduced themselves during my book signing. They were interested in my work. I was inspired by their energy and vision. They study, work, pursue higher education, network, and are involved in community service. They have a voice and aren't afraid to use it. I saw the power and promise of up and coming young Latinas. I learned the importance of staying connected to our roots while developing a connection with our sisters (friends, family) that will sustain us on our journey. Check out www.lambdalady.org
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At the first annual Latina Empowerment conference for teens at Mt. Miguel High School in San Diego, I was honored to be a part of the launch and suggested an essay contest on for students who attended. Congratulations Daisy Cruz! Read her award-winning essay by clicking here. I learned that high school girls rock and they will be just fine being our leaders of the future.
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I'm back at school now and am having a hard time writing these assigned papers for the Women's Studies class: Feminist Scholarship. Even though I've been a professional writer all these years, I am frustrated, struggling to write analytical essays of the assigned readings. Analytical writing is apparently not my forte, especially when the readings vary from tedious to overwhelming in jargon and vocabulary I know nothing about. And yet, the young women in class discussions seem to breeze through the readings, have a good grasp on the premise, put everything into perspective and in the process, enlighten me. I learn from them as well as my instructor.
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Joan Baez, the pacifist activist folk singer of the 1960s and 70s performed in San Diego in October. She is featured in my Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength and Success and is truly an inspirational woman. Known as the Queen of Folk Music and "the voice of young Americans," her voice is still haunting and moved me to tears. In those two hours, she made me see glimpses of those people who marched for civil and human rights, who protested the Vietnam war, who proposed peace, who were not afraid to take a stand. Courageous and devoted, Ms. Baez seems to have lived a life true to her inner convictions. We should learn to aspire to that kind of lifeãhonoring our truth and passion.
Onward!
Sylvia
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