Young Latina Talks East Coast Edition Shares 11 Inspirational Stories to International Audiences; Virtual Presentation Showcases Latina Girls, Women From New Jersey Area

NORTH AURORA, Ill., Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Eleven young Latina girls and women shared their personal experiences to inspire, motivate and elevate international audiences through the very first Young Latina Talks East Coast Edition on Sept. 12.

The virtual event was an extension of the immensely popular Today's Inspired Latina (TIL) book series highlighting the success of Latinas. The speakers, who came from New Jersey and surrounding states, were the following: Jasmyn Lettman, Geanny Rodriguez, Melina Tidwell, Sthefani Camacho, Yasmin Amaro, Gabriela Suriel, Lizmairi Vargas, Celeste Leon, Maria Alfaro, Yeimy Gamez, and Claudia Romani.

Jacqueline S. Ruiz, TIL's creator, called this event a virtual success attracting over 11,500 people, over 2,913 views, over 66 shares, 1,478 reactions, and 643 comments.

"These results tell me that there is a desire and an openness to encourage other Latinas to succeed in developing their own dreams," Ruiz said. "We need to support these Latinas because they will become positive and strong examples for their families and communities."

Joining Ruiz in this effort was TIL author Claudia Vazquez from Elevink who was a strategic partner.

"I am so proud of the 11 young Latinas who shared their story with hundreds of spectators," said Vazquez. "Their genuine thrive, resiliency, and grit transpired in every word. People who watched the event are contacting me to ask when the nominations for the 2021 YLT of the East Coast will begin, as they thought of young Latinas who they can nominate. We honor each one of them, and we are excited about their future."

The speakers also vied for the $1,000 Amazing Young Latina Scholarship, which will be used to help with college expenses. Alfaro was selected as the scholarship winner.

Alfaro, raised in Yonkers, New York, and whose family is from El Salvador, is an advocate for mental health awareness through her own nonprofit Que Paso Latinx. She shared with the audience how her mother struggles with bipolar disorder. Because of her mother's condition and her father's constant work schedule, Alfaro lived with other relatives.

Thanks to a scientific research class in her high school, she was able to learn more about mental illness, which can be considered a taboo subject in Hispanic culture.

"As I come to better understand Mommy's mental illness, I have come to better understand her today," said Alfaro, who has a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences and is completing her master's degree in organizational leadership. "Mommy is one of my best friends. Through her, I have endured pain but I have not allowed it to get the best of me. Instead, I have allowed it to help me heal and move forward in a positive direction. Through her, I have been able to find my strength—the strength to turn all the negatives in my life into positives."

Ruiz sees only bigger and better things come for Young Latina Talks.

"I would love to not only have a second event in this region but create similar events in other regions throughout the United States," Ruiz said. "We are building a movement for Latinas to be proud of their heritage and share their personal stories to inspire others."

Ruiz kindly thanked the following businesses that partnered for this special event:

Platinum Sponsors:

• Unilever
• Univision 41

Silver Sponsors:

• Cien +
• Easy Consulting
• Latina Surge
• Capturing Beauty Photography
• KPMG Hispanic Latino
• PNC
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Bronze Sponsor:

• Mercedes Consulting and Services, LLC
• Senator Teresa Ruiz
• Sigo
• Cuba Bakery
• Arias-Hillard Family
• LUPE Fund Inc.

Partners:

• Elevink
• Bellas Fashionistas
• Prospanica
• HISPA
• ALPFA
• Mexican Alliance of New Jersey
• Latino Networks Coalition
• Yoshida Academy
• Yoshida Consulting
• Ollin Technology
• Cenia
• Mindful Consultants

Today's Inspired Latina

6 Books: 152 Authors: 1 Common Dream

A Today's Inspired Latina™ is an award-winning book series of inspiration and hope, a poignant collection of personal stories that will activate your passion. The series is the largest collection of stories in a book anthology series in the world with 152 to date in six volumes. Volumes seven and eight will be published in 2020 for more than 200 Hispanic female authors. These are success stories that need to be told, to motivate our community for generations to come. By overcoming language barriers, self-doubts and other obstacles in their way, these strong Latinas are a great example of how inspiration and perseverance can lead you to happiness and success in business and life. It's a positive, empowering read for anyone sitting on a dream and thinking it can't come true. Today's Inspired Latina™ shows that it can! For more information, visit: http://todayslatina.com. ###

SOURCE Young Latina Talks