Latina Educators Sense New Clout Will Only Grow

It began as a few women struggling against stereotypes and limitations placed on them by employers, educators and even family. Now, 10 years later, the Latina Leadership Network of California Community Colleges is hundreds strong and feeling a surge of economic and political power.

“As women, one of our greatest attributes is to be there for each other,” said Enriqueta L. Ramos, president of the board of trustees of Rancho Santiago College, who addressed the 10th annual conference of the network Friday morning. “To share our dreams, our pain, our joys and our knowledge.”

The two-day conference of Latina educators and students opened with talks from Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) and state Sen. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte), who urged more than 500 women gathered at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel to aim high and help each other.

“Those who are enlightened are with us today,” said Sanchez, who stunned state Republicans with her victory over longtime Rep. Robert K. Dornan last November. “Those who are afraid fight us every day. But there are too many of us, we are too important, and we will be the majority.”

Harking back to her own early school days, Sanchez recalled feeling isolated and sometimes embarrassed as one of the only Latinos in Anaheim.

“Today, we don’t have to be ashamed,” she said. “The United States is changing, and the wave of the future is in the faces you see here today.”

Solis, who is the only Latina in the state Senate, spoke about the importance of political involvement, especially on issues such as welfare reform and day care, which disproportionately affect Latinas.

“It’s hard to be one of only seven women out of 40 members” of the Senate, she said. “You have to fight on prenatal care, on welfare reform, on day care, on every issue of importance to you. Every vote is a test.”

The conference featured workshops on dozens of issues, from dealing with sexual harassment to learning folklorico dance, and advice on choosing careers, developing leadership skills and marketing through networking.

Community colleges are particularly important to Latinas because they are generally more affordable, flexible and friendly to older “returning” students than four-year institutions, said Ramos, who is also a Spanish teacher at Cypress College.

“These colleges offer a place for us,” she said. “Many of us didn’t grow up believing we would go to college. Like myself, for instance. I didn’t start college until I was 32, when my children were grown and didn’t need me anymore. So you could say I owe my career to community colleges.”

Ramos said a group such as the network is important for Latinas, because they may find little support and encouragement for attending college from their families and friends, and they have few role models in leadership positions.

“This is a big support group,” she said. “A lot of times, our families might not understand why we are not in the home. Or counselors may try to direct us in a certain way, like being a nurse instead of a doctor.

“I feel very strongly about telling my students, ‘The sky is the limit.’ Our only limitations are within ourselves.”