PODEROSAS LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT 2023- IMPACT

 

About Poder Latinx

Poder Latinx is a civic and social justice organization. Our vision is to build political power for the Latinx community to become decision-makers in our country’s democracy and to win on economic, immigrant, and environmental issues. Our mission is to build a sustained progressive voting bloc of Latinxs in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Washington. We do this by leading an integrated voter engagement program where all aspects of voter engagement, issue-based campaigns, leadership development, voting reform and protection, and narrative change form a continuous cycle of political consciousness. Through our work, we empower and equip the Latinx community to become agents of change now. 

Since our inception in the summer of 2019, we have registered over 59k new voters, knocked on more than 177k doors, called more than 4.2 million Latinx voters, partnered with more than 300 organizations, reached close to 8 million people online, and trained 31 young Latinas for professional, civic engagement roles via the Poderosas fellowship program. Lastly, Poder Latinx is planning to expand operations into North Carolina for the 2024 presidential election.


About the Poderosas Legislative Summit

On October 6-7, 2023 , Poder Latinx hosted the Poderosas Legislative Summit, which brought together emerging and prominent civic and social justice Latina leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C to celebrate and build upon our collective service to the Latinx community. At our 2nd annual action-oriented summit, we discussed key issues such as the environment, immigration, and the economy, and how they are affecting the lives of the Latinx community across the country, examined the barriers to civic participation that we face ahead of the 2024 presidential elections, trained youth and young Latinas to become agents of change, and committed to impactful actions and transformative change beyond the moment. 

Since founding Poder Latinx in 2019, it has been our guiding light to support Latinxs and Latinas to become a key voting force in national, state, and local elections and leaders on issues impacting the Latinx community. As a Latina-led organization and founder of the National Latina Civic Engagement Day and the first National Poderosas Fellowship Program designed for Latinas in civic engagement, establishing the Poderosas Legislative Summit was an important next step in advancing the new generation of Latina leaders. Through the Poderosas Legislative Summit and our year round efforts, we are creating opportunities for Latina youth and young adults to learn and lead in the civic engagement space, share about their lived-experiences, connect with community leaders and elected officials from battleground states, and address the existing gaps preventing our community from achieving its full potential. The Poderosas Legislative Summit built upon our year round efforts and upon the momentum of the Latina community, a growing and changing demographic with the energy and passion to make change for our communities when given the proper tools and information to be civically engaged.

The 2023 Poderosas Legislative Summit was an all-day conference held October 6th at the AT&T Forum in Washington, D.C. The summit included five panel discussions and an evening networking reception. The summit was followed by a Day of Action on October 7th.

  • Latinas in the White House:  Latinas are paving the way, building an inclusive democracy! We are becoming a decisive force in elections and campaigns, and we are increasingly stepping into positions of political power. Hear from trailblazing Latina politicians, staff, and political organizers and la ruta to get them to the white house and other national leadership roles.

  • Latinas for Environmental Justice Panel: Our communities have suffered from a history of environmental racism that has placed harm in the spaces where we live, learn, work, and play. Half of Latinxs in the U.S. live in counties that frequently violate air pollution standards, and 78% of Latinxs say they have directly experienced the effects of climate change. During this conversation, you learn how critical issues, like environmental justice, are growing to a greater scale and are becoming launch points for community engagement. Latinx communities are leading the way to a more just and inclusive environmental movement.  

  • Latinas for Immigrant Justice: With over 19 million Latinx immigrants living in the United States, it is time to rise up to protect the rights and well-being of our whole community. Hear how these Latina changemakers are leading the immigrant justice movement by centering the needs and leadership of immigrants and shaping a new reality - the youth vote to achieve true justice for our community. 

  • Latinas in Tech: Technology is changing and advancing the way that we do civic engagement and social justice and is paving the future for advocacy. This panel will feature tech industry leaders paving the way for Latinas in this industry.

  • Latinas for Economic and Reproductive Justice Panel: With Latinxs’, and particularly Latinas’, rights and economic wellbeing being increasingly threatened, it is more important than ever to organize and fight for laws and policies that protect our workers and our community. For example, the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling reversed the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, where abortion is now at risk. On top of that, Latinx are least likely to have access to paid leave by 75%. Dive into economic justice solutions and discover how the fight for reproductive justice is inseparable from the fight for Latina socioeconomic autonomy and security.

  • Day of Action- Communications Training: Media representation among Latinos is a topic of interest among our community. As the 2024 elections near, Latina voices will be sought after to inform the Latinx community about the importance of voting and issues. This training took Poderosa fellows, volunteers, scholarship recipients, and staff through an Introductory Media training which allowed participants to learn about the importance of media in our movements, practice their skills, and present fact-based, impactful information. 

About the Poderosas and our Partners

The Poderosas Legislative Summit brought together Latina civic and social justice leaders from across the country and at various points in their careers. Young emerging leaders just starting out in the field as well as prominent leaders within the movement joined together in Washington, D.C. during this event.

  • Scholarship program: The Poderosas Legislative Summit Scholarship is offered to exceptional emerging Latina civic leaders who are committed to positive social change and who are already making an impact in their communities. The scholarship is available for young Latinas experiencing economic hardship with the purpose of covering any costs associated with attending the 2023 Poderosas Legislative Summit.

  • Fellows: The Poderosas fellowship is a program in which Latinas aged 18-35 can learn the skills to promote community organizing and leadership development, and civic engagement tools to increase voter participation for the 2023 elections and beyond. The Poderosas are based in key electoral states including Arizona, California, Washington, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania  and Minnesota. 

  • Elected officials, leaders, speakers, expert corner people, etc. 

  • Prominent Latina Leaders: including,

    • Heidy Torres, Univision Communications

    • Yadira Sanchez, Poder Latinx

    • Melody Gonzalez, White House Initiative Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence & Economic Opportunity for Hispanics

    • Natalie Montelongo, White House Office of Political Strategy

    • Sol Ortega, White House Office of Public Engagement

    • Gabriela Cristobal, White House Office of Public Engagement

    • Laura M. Esquivel, Senior Legislative Representative

    • Vanessa Millán, EPA

    • Rosa del Angel, NRDC

    • LaTricea Adams, Black Millennials for Flint

    • Maria Praeli, FWD.us

    • Xochitl Oseguera, Mamás con Poder

    • Yvonne Gutierrez, NARAL

    • Norma Jimenez-Rodriguez, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

    • Lili Gangas, Kapor Center

    • Lily Rañón, National Association of Broadcasters

    • Bridgette Gomez, FCC

    • Emilia Gutierrez, Meta

    • Luisana Perez Fernandez, White House

    • Lia Parada, The Immigration Hub

    • Yaheiry Mora, Community Change Action

    • Giselle Gasca, Poder Latinx

By the Numbers

64 Latinas from across the country activated to be civically engaged