Reflections of Latina College Students
Article by Esmeralda Leon

“ The more you struggle in life the more you appreciate your accomplishments,” said Erica Castillas, a student from Ohlone College, explaining her experience from the 21 st annual Latina Leadership Conference held recently in San Jose.

Every year the Latina Leadership Conference organizes workshops and presenters to inform Latinas of all ages how to start reforming the balance in their life, the community and the world. They provide food and music that brings our culture together in a celebration.

“Before I went to the Latina Leadership Conference I was thinking about dropping out of school,” she said sadly, recalling how she and her family are struggling to pay for College. “I was thinking about working full time to help my family. Paying for my units and school supplies is becoming too expensive for me,” she said, Castillas hopes to become a registered nurse.

Judge Katherine Lucero was one on the many inspirational speakers at the 21 st annual conference, “She inspired me to keep my mind on positive thoughts I feel more confident about myself,” said Castillas. “I realized that I'm not alone in my struggles, now I see my struggles as investments, I know they will pay off.”

If there was a secret to the strength of a Latina leader it would consist of three ingredients: heart, discipline and credentials, expressed by Lucero, “You have to have perseverance, hope, faith, if you know your doing the right thing you can keep going,”   said Lucero as she closed her speech with words of hope. “She inspired me to continue in my education,” Erica said. “Being able to see a powerful Latina in front of me made it real.”

To maintain a hopeful sense of the future was the main objective that all the speakers made lucid. Latinas of all ages came together to witness and participate in sharing their struggles and how they were able to overcome very difficult situations. It was a time to raise Latinas consciousness of the obstacles that confront young Latinas and to emphasize the importance of education.

“It exceeded my expectations,” said Ana Rodriguez another student from Ohlone College, “There was one workshop in particular that really helped me with my stress with College and with my family,” expressing her release of built up pressure. “The workshop helped me to deal with my stress in a positive manner.”  

“I feel proud to be a Latina after hearing powerful stories, I feel like I can make it too,” Ana said enthusiastically. “The whole experience was life changing for me, I really think differently now.”

As a young Latina myself, I also had the opportunity to experience this motivating convention. I will always admire Dolores Huerta strength and courage for her testimony showed the value of persistence. She spoke about believing in ourselves, but being focused on the needs of others.