Are You Showing Up as a Latina?

María G. Hernández, PhD

The presidential election cycle is bringing up a new round of identity politics in the US. Vice President Kamala Harris is being challenged by those who might argue she is either Asian or Black. Of course she can identify as both but there are efforts to challenge her identity by claiming she has denied one or the other in the past. 

The hard truth is that women of color in any profession are challenged about how they show up every day. We are too loud. Too curvy. Too smart. Too family oriented. Too emotional. We are scrutinized about everything–accents, body image, energy levels, and yes—the clothes we wear! This week’s NYT story about the Vice President’s wardrobe and how much she is intentionally keeping it conservative—is seen as a way to keep the focus on the issues and not on her running as a woman. Her goal? Show up as “presidential”! 

So how do we show up for our own lives?  

What do we spend our time, energy and money on in order to manage our brand? What are we doing to create the opportunities we want? How do we stay active in our communities and in our professional networks?  

Latinas are a force to be reckoned with in the national landscape. Our numbers are growing- 1 in 5 women in the US are Latina– but we’re not showing up as executives. While we have a lot of Latina entrepreneurs–64% run businesses with more than $100K in revenue. We earn 54 cents for every dollar earned by white men. These statistics point to the importance of education, the value of networking, the strength of growing our community, and the importance of investing in our own professional growth. Showing up as a Latina means showing up for ourselves! How are you showing up for YOU– the real, authentic you? Write us on X at @savvylatinainfo or on Instagram at Latina.VIDA