Latinas comprise 7% of the U.S. population, yet are significantly underrepresented in positions of leadership. Of the more than 10,000 seats on Fortune 1,000 boards only 21 are held by Latinas (2/10th of 1%). In the political arena, there are just six Latinas serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (less than 2%), with no representation in the Senate.
At the state and local level, Latinas constitute just over 1,570 of the more than 600,000 elected officials. Latinas also remain underrepresented in state-level policy/appointed positions. While in 2007 approximately 29% of policy leaders appointed by governors were women, only 1.4% were Latinas. Latinas are significantly underrepresented in the legal, medical and many other professions. This lack of opportunity and parity not only demonstrate a loss for Latinas who are kept from reaching their personal and professional dreams, but also to society that loses the benefit of their full potential and subsequent contribution.
Fortunately, the opportunity gap has been closing for women and we have witnessed some progress in recent years. In the last decade, the number of Hispanic women earning bachelor’s degrees has increased approximately 150% and those earning Master’s degrees has grown more than 160%.
Businesses have become more inclusive of women and this is reflected in the number of women managers at the world’s largest companies and professional firms. The number of women and Latinas in high-level positions in the public and private sectors is on the rise. Between 1996 and 2006, the number of Latina candidates elected to office nationally and locally increased by 73%, compared to 26% increase among Latino male elected officials. Latinas are starting small businesses at six times the national average. Nearly one million businesses in the U.S. are owned by Latinas (almost 40% of all Hispanic businesses) generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually.
Its more than 20 year track record places NHLI in a unique position to advance Latina leadership, support and nurture Latina mentors and role models, and continue to build and sustain a dynamic national network of professional Latinas.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact NHLI at 703-527-6007. |
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In addition to supporting women’s leadership development and helping NHLI close the opportunity gap for Latinas, your company’s support for NHLI will pay o ff in many other ways. NHLI offers:
• The Executive Leadership Program: a first-class leadership development program for Latina managers that your company may be grooming in succession planning efforts.
• Unique opportunities to recruit talented Latinas for your workforce. NHLI provides access to a network of professional Latinas from across the nation.
• Professional development and networking opportunities for your employees in the form of regional Latina Empowerment Conferences and professional development workshops in cities across the country, webinars, and an annual executive leadership conference that can assist your employees in building competencies and meeting professional development goals.
• An opportunity to co-brand your company with NHLI as an active partner in promoting Latina leadership and more economically sufficient Latino communities. The NHLI Annual Executive Leadership Training Conference attracts over 600 high-powered professional Latinos and community leaders from across the nation and offers broad access to Latinos with decision-making and purchasing power; first-rate exposure to the rapidly growing Hispanic market (an over $800 billion a year spending market); a forum to learn about diversity best practices from corporate peers, emerging issues related to recruiting, retaining, and supporting a diverse workforce in the 21st century. |
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