December 19, 2024

Winter 2024 Directors’ Letter

At the end of a critical election year, we are choosing to step boldly into the future. We do so grounded in the knowledge that we have the collective power to move away from a society that privileges some toward a future where women achieve their full potential and systems help working families thrive. We are choosing to lead with deep commitment to the ascension of girls and women to key decision-making tables that, for too long, have willfully neglected the human capital potential of integration and inclusion. Latinas are inextricably linked to the health and wealth of this nation, and they are critical actors in shaping a future where America makes good on its promise of liberty and justice for all.

In the aftermath of what will likely be seen as one of, if not the most, consequential elections of the 21st century, we know that our work will be vital in protecting past wins – from reproductive rights, to DACA, to the social safety net. It is imperative, however, that we aren’t so focused on protecting the present that we lose momentum, forget to dream, and fail to secure the future we all deserve. 

With this last missive of the year, we are excited to share our first Annual Report. The report highlights key milestones achieved through trusted partnerships from California to Washington, D.C., to amplify Latina voices and leadership. In 2024, we connected with thousands through our Law and Policy Symposium and other national conferences, delivered groundbreaking research on the economic and political status of Latinas, and nurtured a robust leadership ecosystem that strengthens Latina-serving infrastructures, accelerates cross-generational dialogue, and promotes a cohort of junior and mid-career scholars to close knowledge gaps. Each accomplishment and action underscores our belief that Latinas are core actors in propelling a more inclusive, equitable, and abundant future where the talent of girls and women is unleashed so that everyone thrives.

As we set our sights on 2025 and beyond, Latina Futures is preparing to unveil a bold agenda that will chart a course for the next quarter-century. This Latina Policy Agenda will incorporate research and programming focused on key areas like economic equity, housing, democracy, and health, ensuring that Latinas are mobilized to lay claim to societal transformation that rejects the parameters of today’s failed systems. Integral to this vision is our upcoming Latina Futures 20250 Lab Opinion Commentary Bootcamp, led by Jean Guerrero, our Senior Journalism Fellow. This program will empower emerging Latina voices to navigate and shape media narratives with the precision and power our times demand. In parallel, Dr. Veronica Terriquez and Dr. Celia Lacayo’s forthcoming anthology will serve as a cornerstone of thought leadership, compiling rigorous scholarship centering Latinas while also having implications for the success and well-being of other historically excluded groups. 

At the heart of our work is the belief that abundance is a shared inheritance, where societal systems meet the needs of everyone, not just some. By rejecting a scarcity mindset, we are supporting girls and women leaders to build on the resilience and brilliance of Latinas past and present, to chart new futures that overcome narrow-frames and archaic barriers that limit the agency and full potential of women lacking access to power. This year alone, we’ve seen the transformative impact of intergenerational dialogues, resource support to scale civil society infrastructure, and policy action that centers the diverse experiences of Latinas from Milwaukee to Las Vegas and New York. 

The journey ahead will not be without challenges, but it is one we are prepared to face together.  We invite you to celebrate these collaborative victories where Latinas are not labeled bystanders but embraced as the pioneers they have always been. Our collective power lies in the legacies we honor and the futures we create. Together, we will continue to build a society where Latinas lead, thrive, and inspire for generations to come. Thank you for being part of this transformative journey. We look forward to working alongside you in the next quarter century to accelerate the power and influence of girls and women to achieve abundant futures for generations to come. 

In solidarity and hope,