Last week Forbes released its list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, which includes several Hispanic women. They are trailblazers — a U.S. Supreme Court justice and the president of Argentina among them. As National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) draws to a close, we want to highlight one of those special women, along with others who have equally inspiring stories.
Hearing their thoughts on a range of topics, from politics to sports, fuels us here at AAUW as we continue to break through barriers so that all women have a fair chance.
Number 19 on the list, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said this at her historic confirmation:
I stand on the shoulders of countless people, yet there is one extraordinary person who is my life aspiration. That person is my mother, Celina Sotomayor. My mother has devoted her life to my brother and me. And as the president mentioned, she worked often two jobs to help support us after dad died. I have often said that I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is.
In their book Dream in Color: How the Sánchez Sisters Are Making History in Congress, U.S. Reps. Loretta Sánchez (D-CA) and Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) wrote about the importance of creating a more representative government:
Of course, we’re delighted to be the first and, so far, only sisters on Capitol Hill, but we’re also disheartened. As we stride down the halls of the Longworth Building, racing to the next vote, why don’t we see more faces like our own, female or Latino? Anyone who’s glanced at recent U.S. population statistics knows that the word minority is rapidly becoming a misnomer, as 35 million Hispanics certainly don’t sound all that minor to us. Okay, so we’re the exception. But we shouldn’t be. And that’s why we want to tell our story — to inspire others to pursue a career in public service and to ultimately speed up the sluggish transition to a more representative government.
Rebecca Lobo, former WNBA star, talked about being a woman in a male-dominated industry:
There’s nothing masculine about being competitive. There’s nothing masculine about trying to be the best at everything you do, nor is there anything wrong with it. I don’t know why a female athlete has to defend her femininity just because she chooses to play sports.
Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to fly in space, stressed the importance of role models:
Being an astronaut has given me the opportunity to speak to children all over, including children with the same background as myself. I think that it’s important for children to have a role model to see what they can grow up to be. It’s important they know that if they work hard, they can be and accomplish whatever they want. I am proud to be an example of that.
Photo: Stewart Shining
In the book Secrets of Powerful Women, actress and activist Rosario Dawson emphasized valuing women:
The endurance of women is like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’m blown away by the strength of my grandmother, who raised five children alone. We need to understand that women are this world’s precious resource and to see to it that every woman and child is safe to walk the streets and take her dreams to the top.
Photo: ©UNESCO/Andrew Wheeler.
Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and the executive director and under-secretary-general of U.N. Women, insists on changing attitudes:
Women are invisible and second-class citizens in some places. We will help make women more visible.
Photo: Pablo Blum/CSE
Talk show host Cristina Saralegui communicates the importance of speaking up:
I have gotten into a lot of trouble in my life for being brutally honest. Sometimes I put both my feet in my mouth. But like Elton John, I’m still standing.
This list is just a beginning. What quotes propel you?
This blog post was written by AAUW Senior Media Relations & Marketing Associate Lisa Goodnight and AAUW Communications Fellow Elizabeth Owens.
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