Celebrating Latinas in Politics: ‘Running with My Girls’ Conversation
Our “Running with My Girls” exclusive screening conversation hosted in partnership with World Channel brought together the filmmaker, Rebekah Henderson, and a powerhouse lineup of former Latina candidates featured in the film, Candi CdeBaca, Veronica Barela, and Dr. Lisa Calderón, who shared their raw, real stories of running for local office.
The Zoom room was buzzing with energy as we delved into the journeys of these incredible women. From the highs of victory to the lows of facing down barriers, every moment was a testament to the courage and grit of Latina leaders in politics. But they didn’t just talk about the challenges—our speakers also shared the love, laughter, and unwavering support that fuels their passion for public service. There’s something magical about seeing Latinas lift each other up, reminding us that when one of us shines, we all shine brighter.
And let’s talk about the advice they dished out! It was a masterclass in political empowerment. They dropped gems left and right, leaving us feeling ready to take on the world.
One of the key highlights of the conversation was the genuine camaraderie and support among the speakers. As they recounted their experiences on the campaign trail, they emphasized the importance of solidarity and collaboration within their communities. Their collective passion for advocacy and public service served as a powerful reminder of the impact that Latinas can have in shaping their communities and driving positive change. The speakers also offered practical advice and encouragement for Latinas who aspire to run for office, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, resilience, and community engagement.
The “Running with My Girls” conversation wasn’t just about politics—it was a celebration of Latina powerhouses and a reminder of the incredible things we can achieve when we come together. So here’s to our past, present, and future Latina leaders—may we continue to lift each other up and pave the way for generations to come.
¡Adelante, hermanas! 💪🌟
Still haven’t seen the documentary or want to host a screening with your amigas? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Watch “Running with My Girls” on our website and soak in all the inspiration and empowerment it has to offer.
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The word Hispanic is closely tied to the U.S. government and its efforts to identify groups of people, which defines it as “Americans of Spanish origin or descent.” Under this definition, Hispanic only refers to people who are originally from Spanish-speaking countries. This term includes people from Spain but excludes people from Brazil. Although this term is widely used to describe a pan-ethnic Spanish-speaking group of people, it is not universally embraced by the communities who have been labeled as such. Due to its connection to Spanish colonization, some view the term Hispanic as a Eurocentric label that erases the Indigenous and Afro-Latino heritage of people from Latin America.
The terms Latino, Latina, Latin@, Latine, and Latinx refer to a person or group of people of Latin American or Caribbean origin or descent; this includes people from all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean but excludes Spain. When used in the singular form, Latino refers specifically to a man or boy, which is why it is necessary to use the term Latina when referring to women or girls of Latin American origin. The term “Latino” applies to a broader group of people in Spanish because the language is gendered and the masculine forms of words may also be considered gender-neutral, which means that the language itself sets a baseline that is both heterosexual and masculine and by default exclusionary. The term “Latinx” arose out of a desire to have a gender-neutral term and is used to refer to people of Latin American or Caribbean origins and is inclusive of those who identify along a gender spectrum and diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Latinx term began appearing on the Internet in queer communities in the United States; however, it is not always considered the perfect response to the search for a postcolonial word because it requires an understanding of the English language and tends to highlight people of mestizo identity while erasing Indigenous and Afro-Latino identities. Some also have used the term “Latin@” to be inclusive, using the @ symbol to represent both an O and an A. More recently, “Latine” has emerged as an alternative to Latinx as a gender-neutral term rooted in the Spanish language. It is starting to be used in some parts of Latin America and the Caribbean and is also starting to gain some recognition in the United States.