Latina South

"I always say, if you have a brain, if have a body...you have a voice and you can be a leader. And we are all influential in our own networks. - Gigi Pedraza, Founding Executive Director of Latino Community Fund of Georgia

Gigi Pedraza is founding Executive Director of the nonprofit, Latino Community Fund of Georgia. In part two of our conversation, Gigi shares what she loves about living in South including the increasing diversity of people in the region.  She also shares more about the challenges facing nonprofits - from the way the wo...

"The most important thing that someone can have, if they don't understand something, is curiosity. [If] people just ask why, I think we have already common ground. - Gigi Pedraza, Latino Community Fund of Georgia

Gigi Pedraza is the founding Executive Director of the nonprofit, Latino Community Fund of Georgia and one of the most influential Latinas in the state. In the first of two parts of our conversation, Gigi shares with us the catalytic moments which fueled her journey to become both a social entrepreneur and vocal advocate for the Latino Community in Georgia. G...

"It's important that you network with other leaders, directors - not necessarily just executives - so that they are advocating for you as well. It's not just a one of one, it's one of many conversations that you have to have to build that network and for others to also be able to envision how you can be part of that leadership team." - Ana Baskharone

Ana Baskharone is a Director in a large utilities company headquartered in Houston, Texas. After 30 years of working hard, Ana began to feel stuck in her career - so she...

"Anger is the spark.  You know, anger is good sometimes. It's good if it moves you to action." - Dr. Betina Kaplan, Co-founder, ULead Athens

Dr. Betina Kaplan teaches Latin American cultures and literatures at the University of Georgia. In 2010 she became angered by the policies banning undocumented students from the top 5 public universities in Georgia. Betina shares how anger inspired her to take action - she became part of the founding group of Freedom University in Atlanta, a safe space for undocumented students to continue their education. In 2014, she also co-founded ULead Athens, a vo...

“I said: send me, let me go, I want to do this." - Ashley Garcia, COVID ICU Nurse

Tejana and healthcare hero, Ashley Garcia, is a nurse who, early in career and at the height of the pandemic, volunteered to work in COVID Intensive Care Units of hospitals throughout the country. In addition to sharing stories from the ICU, Ashley talks about how being a part of a team and having a self-care routine got her through difficult times while she caring for others. She also talks about getting married to her long-time love in a drive-thru we...

"The only thing we have guaranteed in this world is that we are going to face change. That, to me, has always been an empowering thought...all my life, I have faced change with optimism." - Mariela Romero

Mariela Romero is an award-winning journalist and Univision’s Regional Community Empowerment Director and host of the television magazine, Conexion Fin de Semana. With 27 Emmys and a Latin Grammy nomination among her accomplishments, she has over 25 years of television and radio broadcast experience. Her first day at CNN Radio En Español  took place on the terror-filled Septe...

Hopefully, like many of you, we are taking a break! We'll enjoy some summer vibes while working to bring you Series II of some of the most inspiring stories of amazing Latinas making things happen throughout the South. In the meantime, I invite you to listen to a REPLAY of Latina South Episode 14, featuring Latina Marcie Chapa where she talks about her journey as a world class percussionist. 

Also make sure you visit the shownotes where we include a link to our recent Latina South listener survey! Let us know what you think for a ch...

Hopefully like all of you, we're taking a break! We'll enjoy some summer vibes while working to bring you Series II of some of the most inspiring stories of amazing Latinas making things happen throughout the South. In the meantime, I invite you to listen mi amiga, my friend, Audra Agen of Women in the Arena podcast where she celebrates everyday women living extraordinary lives in plain sight. Let's listen as Audra speaks to Latina and educational leader, Dr. Lupita Hightower where she talks about her passion for education and her journey to District Superintendent in Arizona. 

Hopefully, like all of you, we're taking a break! We'll enjoy some summer vibes while working to bring you Series II of some of the most inspiring stories of amazing Latinas making things happen throughout the South. In the meantime, I invite you to listen to a REPLAY of Latina South Episode 5 featuring Laura Murvartian where she talks about making memories through travel and more. 

Also make sure you visit the shownotes where we include a link to our recent Latina South listener survey! Let us know what you think for a chance to shape th...

"We get one ride..." - Women in the Arena Podcast Guest Delilah Buitrón Arrebola

Hopefully, like all of you, we're taking a break! We'll enjoy some summer vibes while working to bring you Series II of some of the most inspiring stories of amazing Latinas making things happen throughout the South. In the meantime, I invite you to listen mi amiga, my friend, Audra Agen of Women in the Arena podcast where she celebrates everyday women living extraordinary lives in plain sight. Let's listen as Audra speaks to Latina and Flamenco dancer, Delilah Buitrón A...