As we come into Thanksgiving (and then the holidays!), I remind myself of the meaning of the celebration.  Regardless of the historical origins of the holiday, the *intention* of the holiday is to gather together with those who have supported us and express our gratitude. 
 
We've been reminded by our guests repeatedly, in almost every interview this year, that giving thanks and showing appreciation is key to attitude, motivation and success.  Gratitude is an ACTION that our guests practice daily.
 
In Spanish, how we say "Thanksgiving" — El Dia de Dar la Acción de Gracias — reminds us of this very fact.  We can take an ACTION to be thankful, to express our gratitude, and to let others know of how they've met needs in our lives.
 
It's appropriate to reflect on these ideas at this time, both because our guests have all reminded us of the importance of giving thanks and having a spirit of gratitude for all they have, and also because of the time of year.
 
And maybe it's even more important this year, with all the chaos in the economy, and yet the hope for change in the elected officials soon to be taking office.
 
Recall that Nancy Rodriguez, owner of Tochtli Angel Arts, a cultural arts management and planning company, told us that whenever she feels down, she takes a deep breath and then begins to give thanks for all the things for which she's grateful in her life.  For her, gratitude is a motivational action.
 
Cristina Perez, the “healing judge” of Emmy-award winning Cristina’s Court, as well as an author, radio host, business owner and entrepreneur, said that she also reminds herself to be grateful for what she has in her life.
 
Marcela Landres, an editorial consultant, said that she (like a lot of our other interviewees) reminds herself how far she's come from her past.  She thinks about her growing up years, and how she lives now — she reads books for a living! — and has a lot of gratitude for the life she leads, especially in comparison to her past.
 
No matter what their background or who they were, each of our guests found things to be grateful for — not just now, but at various points in their life, and even when they've been down.  They take the concerted action to focus on those things and their lives are better for it.
 
None of our interviewees have had "easy" lives — they've all had to overcome a great deal of adversity in different settings.  And yet, their focus on gratitude and being so thankful for what they DO have has been an integral part of their ways of being.
 
We'll be reflecting on gratitude both this week and next, and then I've got some really exciting things in store for you!
 
Stay tuned, and let me tell you, dear readers, that I am thankful for YOU!

Be open to seeing leadership lessons around you, wherever they may come from.  An earlier interviewee, Manuela Bump Murillo, entrepreneur and saleswomen extraordinaire, told us to always be aware and keep our eyes open for opportunity (not just for leadership lessons, but for all kinds of opportunity).
 
We got an example of that in this week's interview.  Diana Gomez, Chief of the Office of Traffic Management for Caltrans, and National President for SHPE, saw her in her grandfather an excellent example of leadership when she was a young girl.  When she worked with him in the fields, she would see him keep both the workers happy and the farmers happy, even when there were 10 farmers and 60 families of workers.  She watched his ability to compromise and his management skills.
 
With regard to other examples of leadership that may come from unexpected places, Emily Matos, graduate student at NYU, told us about how she saw in her grandmother a great example of leadership in how she kept the family together.
 
Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, Founder & President of Educational Achievement Services, Inc., said that her father was her primary and strongest example of leadership.
 
Christina Sarchio, partner at the law firm of Howrey LLP, also told us of her grandmother and the strong leadership example she set for Christina.
 
So our families can provide opportunity to see true leadership if we keep our minds and our eyes open. But those examples can come from other places, as well.
 
Dr. Nancy Mirabal, professor of history, told us that her teachers have provided examples of leadership to her, and have inspired her to do things she didn't otherwise believe she could.
 
And Juana Bordas, President of Mestiza Leadership International, gives us many, many examples of ways and places to see leadership in her book, Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age.
 
You might want to reflect where you've seen good examples of leadership in your life, what this means to you and what kind of leader you want to be (both outside to others and within to yourself).
 
Have a wonderful weekend,
 
Aurelia 

P.S.  In case you missed Diana's interview, you can purchase either the audio or the transcript (or both) of the interview at the special pre-sale price until next Wednesday.  Click here to find out more…

This past week's interviewee, Toti Cadavid, told us that she feels as if community involvement is an obligation.  She shared with us that she feels it crucial that we reach back and help others along.  However, not only is it an obligation in Toti's eyes, it is also a joy.
 
And this wise message was echoed over and over again by our guests.  We heard from almost *everyone* the message that giving back is CRUCIAL, not just for those outside of us, but for ourselves as well.
 
Arisa Batista Cunningham shared with us a wisdom that when we give, we actually receive more than we're giving.  She told us that it was amazing to her that no matter how much she gives or how much she contributes to others, she always gets so much MORE back in return.
 
Manuela Bump Murillo, entrepreneur, business-owner and saleswoman extraordinaire, reminded us that everyone can give back.  She wanted to impress upon us that no matter where we are in our lives, or how much we have (or feel we don't have), that we are all in a position to give back.  She gave us the simple example of both an umbrella and a newspaper that she gave away and that was so gratefully received by others.
 
Manuela also wanted us to remember women outside of our immediate communities.  She was urging us to be aware of other women's needs on a more global level.  She was sharing with us that while, yes, those within our communities need us, those women in other countries need what we're able to contribute as well.
 
And several of our interviewees connected their day to day work to giving back at a deep and fundamental level.  For example, several women run non-profit organizations and have made their life work the process of giving back.
 
Other women teach through their work, either verbally in the university classroom, or through other speaking or teaching engagements in community environments or through social activism, or simply through the example they present in their workplace (such as being a mentor).
 
Other women have given back through books they've written or films they've produced.  Recall that Sandra Robbie produced and directed a film on Mendez v. Westminster as a tool to share with the world, expand the stories being told and bring people together.
 
Some of these women give back by empowering women in the political realm, some in the intellectual realm, some in the spiritual realm, and some with regard to relationships.  Dr. Ana Nogales, for example, has done a lot of work for Latino couples and people in relationships.
 
ALL of our Powerful Latinas give back in big and little ways and they all have positive influences on those around them.
 
This week, I would urge you to think about how you already give back to the women around you, and give yourself a big pat on the back for all you do!  And I know you all DO a lot for those around you, so congratulate yourself and be proud of all you contribute to the lives of others.
 
And if there's something else you'd like to do, now or in the future, you might want to make a note of that somewhere and think about how/when you will pursue that opportunities.
 
For all YOU do — muchisimas, muchisimas gracias!

Change is in the air!  For those of you who were glued to the television watching election coverage this past week (like I was!), you know what an exciting week we had and how much work we have ahead of us to make some really exciting things happen in the world.
 
I'm here to do my part, to reflect what Latina women are thinking, feeling, experiencing and learning.  I love statistics and exploring more ways to get out information.
 
I was especially interested in what commentators were saying about the Latino vote and how it shifted in various parts of the country.  I'll be doing more research in the upcoming weeks and sharing with you all my thoughts on some of this stuff.
 
Over the next two months, we'll be changing the format a little bit of the PowerfulLatinas.com website, as well as making the site more interactive and user friendly.
 
I will also have a special gift for all of you, so stay tuned!
 
As we head into the holiday season and wrap up the year, I want to say to each of you to BE the change you wish to see in the world.
 
Abrazos grandes,
 
Aurelia 

P.S.  In case you missed Toti's interview, you can purchase either the audio or the transcript (or both) of the interview at the special pre-sale price until next Wednesday.  Click here to find out more…

I wish I could suggest otherwise, but there's just no substitute for hard work!  Many, many of our guests have talked about the necessity of hard work, how they've undertaken to get where they are, and how good it feels to know that THEY accomplished their goals.
 
The good news is 1) there are different ways to tackle the work, and 2) anything is possible if you're willing to put in the work!
 
Dr. Nancy Mirabal, professor at San Francisco State University, talked about attending elite educational institutions and that many people think there's a "secret" to making it through those places.
 
Nancy shared with us that no, the real "secret" is just to do the work.  She reminded us that anyone who is willing to put in the work can do well.  Recall also that she shared with us that it is wise to get help with the work (find people who can help you, for example, like tutors) and that preparation is key, so you need to make sure you're *able* to do the work once you arrive at a certain place.
 
But the WORK will always be there and is doable.
 
Josie Garza, Executive Director of the National Latino Children's Institute, told us of her belief that anything is possible if you do the hard work.  She shared with us her mission of reaching out to, and supporting, young people and children to be able to learn.
 
She also told us that working with certain populations can be exhausting because it takes time (can be over a year to get through to one individual!) and patience, but the work is there, it's necessary and extremely important.
 
In the case of Josie, her hard work is interacting with *people* and changing their lives.  What an amazing kind of "work", right?  And if it's possible to change lives, think of what else is possible…
 
Rita Jaramillo, Senior Liaison at the National Education Association, differentiated for us different kinds of work, and explained to us that we need to know what kind of worker each of us is. 
 
For example, Rita shared with us that some people like to work a little bit on a lot of things and others like to work a lot on a few things.  It's important to know your own style so that you can keep going and stay motivated and energized.
 
Recall also that certain people work better in short bursts, and others work better in longer chunks with bigger breaks in between.  It's up to you to figure out your own best strategy.
 
Work smart!  Hard work is valuable, but make sure your hard work is done in the best way possible.  Adriana Vela, founder of NanoBioNexus, told us to constantly analyze what works (and what doesn't!) so we can work smarter when we set forth to do so.
 
So, the lessons for this week is that hard work is an absolute necessity and will get you where you want to go.  On your path, remind yourself to get help when you need it, be patient and know things take time, know what kind of worker you are and work according to what's best for you, and finally, work SMART.
 
Above all, there are no short cuts around hard work.  It's so rewarding, amazing and DOABLE.  Go get 'em, mujer.  Until next time, trabajas bien!

This week's interview, Madeline Padilla, nationally recognized Executive Director of Publicity for Arenas Entertainment, shared with us that she grew up learning passion, respect and commitment.
 
Madeline has passion for what she does, respect for others and her own obligations, and a commitment to being the best she can be.
 
These lessons spill over into the rest of her life and have informed her career and her relationships.  Her lessons, and her being, are what created her success, not her educational background.
 
I know that each week I am inspired by the amazing women I interview.  Many times my guests have been women who have impressive educational credentials. 
 
In the case of Madeline, her education was the WORLD experience she gained from traveling so much and from keeping her eyes and her mind open.
 
She is impressive, not just because of her remarkable accomplishments, but *also* because she reached these heights without formal training.
 
Madeline can inspire us to do what we want to do even when we *think* we're not "prepared."  An education can be very helpful — and Madeline is bright and did succeed educationally — however, an education alone is not the key.
 
Madeline's story shows us how each component — by itself — is not determinative.  Instead the WHOLE is always more than the sum of its parts.
 
This week, allow yourself to experience who you are and rejoice in the wonder that is *YOU.*  Where do you think you're not "prepared" and how can you overcome that state of mind?
 
As we "fall" back this weekend into another season and another part of the year, and as the days get shorter and the nights longer, it is a magnificent time to reflect, and learn from your internal musings.
 
I hope that you are as inspired and moved as I am by our spectacular guests, and even more important, that they incite you to learn more about yourself.
 
Have a Happy Halloween (and Dia de los Muertos), and as we prepare for next week, make sure to vote!
 
Con mucho respeto,
 
Aurelia 

P.S.  In case you missed Madeline's interview, you can purchase either the audio or the transcript (or both) of the interview at the special pre-sale price until next Wednesday.  Click here to find out more…

This lesson has two components.  One, you need to find a mentor that has had the kind of success you want to achieve, and will help you along the path as well.  This can be one person or a combination of people.
 
Second, you want a group of people around you who will be supportive of you on your path.  These are the friends and family that will help you in a multitude of ways, including by listening to you when you're down.

Many of our guests talked about finding a mentor. For example, Nancy Mirabal, professor at San Francisco State University, told us about mentors she'd had in college who encouraged her learning about things in which she had an interest, even if they were not interests she followed as a career path.  In one instance, the mentors she found encouraged her love of, and knowledge about, art.
 
Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, former Staff Director for the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, told us how important it was for her to find a mentor when she started at the law firm where she worked immediately after law school.

Emily Matos, Graduate Student at NYU, shared with us the mentoring program in which she took part right after college that helped her choose her career path.  In this program, Emily came into contact with many high level executives in the field of philanthropy.
 
In each of these cases, the mentorship happened at different levels.  Often in a work setting, but not necessarily a formal program.  And mentorship is not always sought out.  Sometimes it just comes and finds you.  However, if it doesn't, many of our guests shared their belief that it is CRUCIAL that we take it upon ourselves to go and find a mentor.
 
Note that the mentor doesn't have to have anything in common with you, simply some knowledge that you want to learn and a willingness to share it.
 
The other part of a supportive team is the people around you who are encouraging you, helping you, listening to you, and supporting you however they can (and depending on what you need at the moment).
 
So many of our guest talked to us about the power of their friendship circles and all that their friends and family give to them in the way of motivation, perspective, inspiration and encouragement. 
 
Lora Villarreal, Chief People Officer at ACS, shared with us that there was a group of people at a former employer that helped her along her way, even with her school assignments!
 
The key here is to form a supportive team around you and if you don't have that now, reflect upon how you can create that in your life.  Even for me, there are several goals that I have for which I need to find mentors to help me achieving those particular mile-stones because the goals require particularized knowledge and experience.
 
So, go to it, mujer, start building your team!  And don't forget to thank those that are already part of your supportive network.
 
Next week we'll talk about doing the hard work to make your dreams come true…

Sometimes when someone tries to undermine you, it is best to remove yourself from the situation (even for a while) and get affirmation and validation elsewhere.
 
This week's guest shared a story that illustrated this point, but other guests have shared this similar sentiment. 

For Dr. Silvia Martinez, bilingual speech-language pathologist and assistant professor at Howard University, she had this experience while in her doctoral program at Boston University.  Silvia had an advisor who didn't appreciate her or understand her area of study.  Moreover, he was discriminatory toward her and said derogatory things about Puerto Ricans. 
 
Instead of leaving the program or getting therapy, Silvia decided instead to pursue studies at Harvard.During this time of advanced study, she was praised and appreciated by multiple professors.  This enabled her to go back, get a new advisor and complete her Ph.D. confident in the knowledge that she was competent, capable and outstanding in her field.
 
Something similar happened to Christina Sarchio, partner at the law firm of Howrey, LLP.  While at a prior law firm, Christina had a very difficult time, was not appreciated, and was in a stressful work environment where Latinos were derided and made fun of. 
 
Christina likewise decided to remove herself from the situation and found herself in a much better and more productive (and appreciative!) work environment. 
 
For both women, at one point, they wondered if it was "them" and if they had done something wrong, and if they needed to "stick it out."  But both of them — and other guests too — figured out that sometimes other people are put in your way that have their own issues (including prejudice) that has nothing to do with you.
 
It's up to each of us to choose our battles and to take care of ourselves and to make our lives better.  In the case of both of these women, the outcome was fantastically better for their career.
 
So, remember, take care of yourself, trust your gut, and get out of bad situations when necessary.  I know that I've had to do the same.  And even though the experience is never any fun, something much better is out there waiting for you!
 
Con mucho cariño, 
 
Aurelia 

P.S.  In case you missed Silvia's interview, you can purchase either the audio or the transcript (or both) of the interview at the special pre-sale price until next Wednesday.  Click here to find out more…

To achieve the outstanding successes they've had, each of our guests first laid the proper groundwork. You might have heard the old adage, "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity."  So the key is to be prepared! 
 
Preparation can come in many forms — it can mean obtaining an education, building marketable skills, or even just keeping your eyes open (and knowing what to look for!).
 
Manuela Bump Murillo, entrepreneur, business-owner and saleswoman extraordinaire, told us that she is always taking classes and learning new things.  When she first came to the U.S., she took all kinds of classes just to help her learn English.  She also spoke with us about being aware of what is going on around you to be able to take advantage of opportunities — in her case, in the real estate market.  So her preparation met opportunity in a real financial way.
 
Dr. Elma Gonzalez, professor Emeritus at UCLA said that she learned if you work out the details in advance, you can make things happen.  She learned that good preparation could overcome negative feedback.  In her case, she was talking about being prepared to meet any potential "no's" for plans she might have.  And this helped her in writing grants and convincing university administrators to let her start new programs.
 
Susana De Anda, co-Executive Director of the Community Water Center, told us about her difficult coursework in the area of Environmental Studies, but how she loved it.  She also shared with us several jobs she had that paved the way for her current position.  Both the coursework and the jobs later prepared Susana for the work she does now, helping communities fight for safe, clean and affordable water.
 
Lora Villarreal, Chief People Officer at ACS, shared with us her belief that if you're going to lead a company at the executive level, you really have to prepare yourself by learning what goes on at every level within a company — from the ground floor on up.  Lora also spoke with us about preparing herself through education, and she also discussed being prepared when going into meetings and having a plan about what you're going to say and why.  Preparation is a necessary prerequisite for this Powerful Latina!
 
Adriana Vela, Founder of NanoBioNexus, told us that her years in the high-tech industry, even though in a different focus area, actually prepared her to see trends and that when she first started learning about nanotechnology, she could see that it was going to have a huge impact and be the "next big thing."
 
And, of course, many, many of our interviewees have prepared themselves through education — several of our interviewees have Ph.D.'s and other advanced degrees, but ALL of them are life-long learners and continue to prepare themselves for their next opportunity.
 
So, you might want to reflect on how all of your past preparation has brought you to this point, and then decide what other kinds of preparation you need to put in place now to be ready for YOUR next big thing…
 
Have a great week!

Know what you want.  This week's interviewee Dr. Ana Nogales, shared with us the idea that it is important to be able to articulate and know what your dreams are and what you desire. 
 
Ana also said that sometimes she hears women complain, but they are not able to state what they want because their past has taught them not to want or not to know what they can expect.
 
Do you always know what you want?
 
As we've discussed before, it's important to know both what you want and what you don't want.  And if you've got to start with what you don't want, that's ok.  But don't stop there.  Use the guide of what you don't want to point you in the direction of what you DO.
 
It can be difficult to ask for what we want from others — or even ourselves! — if we know only what we *don't* want.  On the other hand, when we get good at knowing what we DO want, then we can find multiple ways to go about getting it.
 
So this week, think about all the things you WANT in your life (and I'll do the same) and share those things with others.  And when you come across something that is what you don't want, use that as a "pointer" to direct you to better understand the positive.
 
For example, if I'm upset because someone cut me off on the freeway (or in line at the grocery store), I can focus on the fact that I'd enjoy more space and respect on the road (or in line).  
 
And if I can figure that out for the small stuff, think about the possibilities for the BIG stuff.  :)   Go for what you WANT, mujer!
 
Un abrazo,
 
Aurelia 

P.S.  In case you missed Ana's interview, you can purchase either the audio or the transcript (or both) of the interview at the special pre-sale price until next Wednesday.  Click here to find out more…