Latino Heritage Month this year includes a heavy dose of a womanhood that incorporates human dynamics of the feminine principle asserting its will as a genuine partner in providing direction to the country. On a personal level, Latino Heritage month also includes my mother’s birthday, a day that reminds me that strong women come from all walks of life.
I have many memories of mom (rest in peace) as a leader that solved problems and managed people. One of the many highlights was of her managing crews of men in the Texas cotton fields.
Despite her relatively young age of 27, the stares of men on her beautiful profile and the tough task of weighing the cotton and keeping the books for every individual, her demeanor and presence of authority never left her. Above all, she inspired people to join in special efforts to make a difference in the life of the family and community.
Very recently, LaVozColorado newspaper’s own leader, publisher, editor and owner, Pauline Rivera, was inducted into the Denver Press Club Hall of Fame. Her work to conserve and expand the primacy of the first bilingual newspaper in Denver, despite major challenges throughout its 50-year history, is a model of creativity, persistence and stewardship.
During an era of the diminution of the written press, Pauline Rivera has pushed forward to increase the readership and circulation of the award-winning newspaper statewide. In addition, the digital design has doubled the visitors to its content.
In Mexico, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo assumed the presidency of the country on October 1st. She is the first woman President in the 503 years history of the country that began with the invasion and conquest of the Mexico-Tenochtitlan by Spain.
It was only 71 years ago that Mexican women achieved the right to vote. During that time, many of the ideals if not the words enshrined in the Constitution of 1917 fell by the wayside as the social, economic and political elite equated progress with power.
As a university student, young Claudia Sheinbaum joined a movement that would bring the country back to the democratic concepts elaborated in the drive for Mexican independence, the Juarez reforms of the mid-19th Century and the Revolution of 1910. President Sheinbaum was eventually one of the founders of what is called the 4th Transformation, a bloodless revolution that is bringing these reforms to fruition.
By a combination of circumstances, Vice President
Kamala Harris surged to the forefront to become the candidate of the Democratic Party for President of the United States in the 2024 election. It is the second time that a powerful woman seeks the highest office in the nation.
The persistence of highly qualified women to answer the call to lead the country is firsthand testimony of the profound changes occurring in American in the 21st Century. Much of the turmoil and division continuing for the foreseeable future is caused by the minority becoming the majority and by woman realizing their destiny.
It is the year of the woman. The fact that Kamala Harris is a woman of color adds to attractiveness in the eyes of the new majority of young people populating America.
The new generation is not only the most diverse in the history of the United States, but also appears committed to each other more than to the ethnic and racial groups from which they come. In this generation, gender is paramount as it seeks to leverage the voices of change. It is the year of the woman.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of laVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
