Today marks the 10th anniversary of the National Latina Equal Pay Day campaign.
I want to express deep gratitude to Monica Ramírez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women, and the lead organizer of the Latina Equal Pay Day movement.
As I reflect on this milestone — especially after attending the recent Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley Ball, led by Ron Gonzales this past Saturday — I’m even more convinced that advocating for Latinas in STEM here in Silicon Valley is essential.
Now more than ever, we need all voices raised, all stories told, all helping hands extended, and all the camaraderie and mentorship we can offer our Latina sisters.
We must raise those numbers.
I stepped back in recent years and paused lecturing, mentoring, and participating in panels because I thought support was abundant and my efforts were needed elsewhere.
While I have loved focusing on supporting first-generation Latino immigrants in building or improving their businesses, amplifying our voices in education, helping families navigate the school system, providing resources, translating, and representing our community at the school district level and now at the South Bay / Peninsula level — I have also come to realize that my voice, my help, and my story are needed here too.
I am back, ready to commit myself again to walk alongside my Latina sisters who want me with them.
I am here to support, to uplift, to listen, to encourage, and to push through ceilings together — to help us reach where we belong: up there.
Shake it off — buckle up, Latinas. Go get that raise. Get that promotion. You belong, and you deserve it!
National Latina Equal Pay Day — see you in 2026.
*Picture from The Business Journals, Latina pay gap at glance.
Special Thanks to my friend Walky Goode PhD who invited me to join her at the Ball.
