Page 7 - San Diego Woman Magazine

Women of Distinction

EMPOWERED LATINAS

come together

TO EMPOWER OTHERS

Article and Photos by Maggie Ramos

What is the story? Today ing! It was the D.A. Summer
my story is about empow- Stephen's vision to create
ering fellow Latinas. We are a Family Justice Center in
a minority that, more often North County, and it was
than not, is left behind. But realized at the beginning
on August 20th, MANA de of July. Claudia explained
North County San Diego how the space is dedicated
gathered in San Marcos with to serving victims/survivors
many eager participants at of domestic violence and
ONE SAFE PLACE to host human trafficking, as well as
their First Annual Nation- elder abuse. All design ele-
al Latina Day Conference, ments were carefully chosen
aimed at Latinas empow- to give a sense of protection
ering each other to move and peace to those who come
ahead in life. for help. In addition, it is a
Many talented and suc- one-stop-shop for victims to
cessful Latinas embraced receive a wide array of ser-
the Conference in education vices to meet their needs.
and entrepreneurship. They I spoke with the co-found-
were all present to show the er of MANA of North Coun-
rest that iSí se puede! [Yes, ty, Gabriela Hooshmand, and
we can!], as Griselda Beck, she, too, is very grateful for
MBA, expresses it. Beck is this day to finally be a reality.
a big dreamer with many It was also her dream to create
goals. And one of her goals an empowering conference
was to create an organiza- for fellow Latinas.
tion to assist other Latinas. I also met with Beatriz
Beck was introduced to "Bea" Palmer, a MiraCosta
MANA de North County College staff member who
and quickly learned that the is constantly on the go for
organization she had hoped students. Palmer is direc-
to create one day already tor of the Service Learning
existed. As a result, Beck be- & Volunteer, teaches so-
came president of MANA de ciology, and is the first Af-
North County and brought ro-Latina president of Oper-
to the table her dreams and ation HOPE-North County.
her knowledge and talents Palmer explained that she
in the area of marketing and took the opportunity to be
leadership coaching. a presenter at the Confer-
The keynote speaker was ence because she wanted
Claudia Garcia Grasso, the to empower other Latinas.
CEO of ONE SAFE PLACE. Palmer recently finished her
She shared her own journey Master's degree and is now
as a Latina to become a law- working on her doctoral de-
yer, against the wishes of her gree at San Diego State Uni-
parents, who only wanted versity. She is definitely an
her to get married and settle inspiration for the rest of us!
down. Her story was inspir-

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