Register for NHLI's Executive Leadership Training Conference & Mujer Awards!
The Early Registration Rate ends Friday, September 30
The National Hispana Leadership Institute's 2011 Executive Leadership Training Conference and Mujer Awards brings together Latinas and NHLI's accomplished alumnae from across the nation for two days of cutting-edge leadership and professional development, networking, educational and inspirational keynotes and workshops facilitated by top-level Latinas from across the country.
NHLI goes International with the Building Latina Jewish Bridges on Campus Program!
NHLI Introduces its New Program in Partnership with AJC
At the beginning of this summer, NHLI welcomed twenty-two young ladies from different walks of life for a week of leadership training as part of NHLI's Latinas Learning to Lead Program for college age Latinas. The fellows conquered many things throughout their visit to Washington, D.C., from the U.S. Department of State, resume building classes at Gallup University, and meetings at the Congressional Caucus. In the words of Sara Torres (Class of 2011), "The Latinas Learning to Lead (LLL) program has awarded me with the confidence to pursue my goals in life that before seemed impossible."
For eleven of the twenty-two 2011 Latina Learning to Lead fellows, the journey did not end in Washington, D.C. These eleven students joined another eleven Jewish students to launch the Building Latina-Jewish Bridges on Campus Program. The program aims to help Latina and Jewish students better understand and appreciate the various cultures, religions and ethnic groups that make up their university campus. NHLI partnered with the American Jewish Committee, Project Interchange and The David Project to make this program possible.
Together with their Jewish peers, NHLI's Latina participants had the opportunity to travel to Israel to engage in a powerful cross-cultural exchange and discover commonalities between Jewish and Latina communities in the United States.
Together, both Jewish and Latina participants identified common issues of concern, shared personal values, and built intergroup relations that will enable them to work towards shared goals. The students had a wonderful time exchanging ideas, learning from guest speakers, visiting holy sites in Old City of Jerusalem, and meeting with the Chief Policy Advisor for Israel's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Siegel, just to name a few.
"There are not enough words to describe the profound experience of this program. We have built a community of women who will together make this world a better place through their cultural understanding of each other's community," said Evelyn Garcia Morales, NHLI's Program Manager, who embarked on this incredible journey with the participants.
NHLI would like to thank American Express for sponsoring the Advancing Latina Leaders in Nonprofit (ALL-IN) Program for the second time!
The ALL-IN curriculum focuses on leadership styles and strengths differentiating between management and leadership, communications skills, strategic planning, and other nonprofit management topics. The unique program offers training, mentoring and practical skills to culminate in a capstone leadership project.
The training components for the upcoming class will consist of a fall session in Los Angeles, California from November 1-5, 2011 (in conjunction with the NHLI Annual Executive Leadership Training Conference), a series of webinars, and a six-day nonprofit management institute with Georgetown University's Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership.
For Barbara J. DesMarteau, NHLI's Acting President, "To build the leadership pipeline for the upcoming generation of Latinas, it is imperative that they have skills and training necessary to occupy the forthcoming vacancies in nonprofit leadership positions."
A diverse dynamic class of twenty-two nonprofit professionals will be selected to participate in the ALL-IN program based on a competitive process that looks at applicant skills and attributes, accomplishments, life and career goals, and leadership potential. Candidates will be announced in October. To learn more about this and other programs, contact Evelyn Garcia Morales, Program Manager, at Evelyn@nhli.org.
NHLI Summer Alumnae Happy Hour!
"Strangers we entered, friends we became, sisters we remain"
On Monday, July 25, 2011, NHLI held an alumnae summer happy hour. Over 40 alumnae from different backgrounds, jobs, and walks of life gathered in spirit to celebrate a program that has helped accomplish many of their dreams. From the laughter and excitement of seeing their hermanas, to the margarita's pouring, and catching up on old times, the excitement in the room was quite contagious. This effort came about in hopes of gathering NHLI alumnae who were in town for the NCLR conference and those who live in the area.
The commitment the ladies have towards NHLI is amazing. Their support to help younger Latina's was shown apparent when both Mercedes Olivieri (ELP, 2000) and Bibi Lobo (ELP, 1997) decided to begin a "$25 for 25 Year Anniversary Campaign" to start garnering dollars for the 2012 conference. The support of this campaign will continue to benefit Latinas participating in NHLI programs. Click here if you would like to donate $25, $250, $2,500 or 25,000 to NHLI as we get ready to celebrate 25 years of sisterhood.
Wherever you go and meet NHLI hermanas their good spirit and hunger to increase leadership in the Latina community will inspire you. NHLI thanks all the Leonas out there for their motivation and generosity.
A Leadership Project Success!
Silvia Salazar, class of 2008, shares her story
The collective wisdom and support of my NHLI hermanas came at the time when I needed it most. Throughout the fellowship, I was trying to see how I could better understand the needs and perspectives of my community. The biggest question was to determine how to inspire undocumented immigrants to stand up for their rights. NHLI taught me that I needed to reach back into my own childhood as a Spanish-speaking undocumented immigrant to be able to connect and develop powerful tenant leaders.
After learning how my NHLI hermanas such as Josiane Martinez were using "Hora del café" poetry in their community work, I began to consider how art could serve as an empowerment tool. So I went back to my building and started working on children's plays. The children and mothers in my building have grown into powerful leaders that express themselves through art, Mayan culture, and theater.
As a brain tumor survivor that had to undergo treatment and recovery, I understand why I had to live to see the day when the efforts of my community would result in positive change.
I have been working on preserving my building as affordable housing since 2005. Today, I want to share the great news that the city of Washington, DC has agreed to fund $9.7 million towards the purchase of our building as affordable housing. On July 25, 2011 we signed the closing documents!
There is also a documentary film about the effort of my community.
To learn the latest about my community and our organizing efforts, art projects such as Mayan theater with the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, temporary mosaic murals, and photography. Please visit our blog: http://www.norwoodtenants.org/
Thank you for your continued support.
-Silvia
In closing …
Thank you for reading this issue of NHLI's e-Newsletter!
Questions, Comments: nhli@nhli.org
NHLI starts 2010 with a new chairwoman, a new slate of officers and a few new members, all fully committed to Latina advancement. Read more»
Leading as Good Neighbors in Our Communities
State Farm® Insurance Companies has been a steadfast supporter of NHLI’s signature programs and this long-time partnership has provided State Farm® with valuable training and professional development resources for its Latina managers. Read about how State Farm® employees have been impacted by NHLI and how our Latina leaders are using their leadership talent at work and in their communities. Read more »
In the Spotlight
Patricia L. Chavez, an NHLI ’91 ELP graduate, President of PLC Enterprises, recently returned from a month in South Africa. Read more»
Making News
Marieli Colon-Padilla, incoming Chair of the National Hispana Leadership Institute and a 2006 ELP graduate, was selected by Latino Leaders Magazine as one of the “Ones to Watch” in their Inspired Leaders inaugural issue.. Read more»
For eleven of the twenty-two 2011 Latina Learning to Lead fellows, the journey did not end in Washington, D.C. These eleven students joined another eleven Jewish students to launch the 
