Preparing a Future Generation of Hispanic Leaders
By Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Senior Advisor, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
U.S. Census data shows that Latinas comprise nearly 10 percent of the population and nearly one out of every five American women identify as Latina. As the first Hispanic woman elected to the U.S. Congress, I am proud to see so many Latinas attaining their dreams. When I was elected in 1989, I was the only Latina and one of only a handful of women in Congress. Though we have seen a marked increase in women, and especially Latinas, in positions traditionally held by men, we must continue to work toward equitable representation across public and private sectors.
As I look back over my public service career spanning nearly four decades, I am most inspired by what I see in the current generation of Hispanic women making changes across our nation. After Congress, I continue to serve our communities and have been able to mentor our future leaders by participating on the boards of organizations with the purpose of advancing and empowering the Hispanic population, such as the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI).
In 2003, alongside my legislative brothers, Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, and corporate friends, we founded the CHLI with the mission to prepare a future generation of Hispanic leaders. In the 21 years since our founding, we have watched more than 300 students come through our doors to walk out as seasoned alumni with trailblazing careers. We are proud that this bipartisan, bicameral organization continues to change lives for the better through our leadership development programs. In fact, we now count an elected official amongst our alumni, Representative Sharlett Mena of the State of Washington, fittingly a Latina.
This year, I’m taking on a new role at CHLI. I am grateful to Lincoln and the Board of Directors for the honor of being named Chairwoman. I look forward to continuing to work with our President and CEO, Mary Ann Gomez Orta, another proud and accomplished Latina, to continue expanding CHLI’s mission.
Lincoln’s leadership, along with Vice Chairmen Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX) and Mario Diaz-Balart (FL) and our Board of Directors, has established CHLI as a nationally recognized and respected Hispanic-led and Hispanic serving organization. CHLI alumni, who tell me their internships and fellowships changed the trajectory of their lives and careers, are active and committed serving in the public and private sectors around our nation.
I am committed to ensuring that CHLI continues to prepare the next generation of Hispanic leaders. I am proud to connect our interns, fellows, and alumni to a network of public service, corporate, Congressional, and civic leaders.
At the same time, I take our role in honoring the public servants and international leaders who lift up the Hispanic community seriously and look forward to carrying on our bipartisan tradition every year.
I want to build on the important work that CHLI has done and continue to grow our programs and internships to reach more students and offer opportunities for Latinos. Together we can continue to positively impact this great country.
I encourage Latinas everywhere to continue to work hard and persevere to attain your dreams and aspirations and make sure to help bring more Latinas along with you as you achieve success. We must all lift each other up to ensure we have the representation we deserve across the public and private sectors.
LATINAStyle Vol. 30, No. 1, 2024