Conference Draws 6,000 Latinas

Thousands of Latinas gathered at the Biltmore on Friday to provide career guidance, motivation and role models to a new generation of women and to honor their own.

Among those recognized at the National Hispanic Women’s Conference was Maria Contreras-Sweet, recently appointed as state secretary of business, transportation and housing. The Los Angeles woman, a former business executive, delivered the keynote speech at a noon luncheon.

In all, nearly 6,000 women attended the 23rd annual conference, sponsored by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. They included professionals who presented workshops, recruiters from 50 companies and thousands of high school and community college students.

“I think young girls need to be exposed to all the options available to them,” said Patricia Perez, a board member of the Latin Business Assn.

The best part of the conference for Matilde Ramirez, 18, a senior at North Hollywood High School, was that “the speakers encourage you, help you to change your mind, do something good, go to college.”

Marta Sanchez, a professor at Cal State Northridge, told stories of her own struggles: “They need to know that regardless of where you come from, you can make it.”

Diane Medina, a Woman of the Year awardee and director of diversity programs for the Walt Disney Co., advised young conference participants: “Make good choices for yourself, but always make sure they are your own choices.”