National President and CEO

Alma Morales Riojas

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Alma Morales Riojas

MANA's goal of empowering Latinas and their communities has never been more critical to the Hispanic community and to our Nation. This organization which was founded and developed by Mexican American women is now led by an incredible group of Latinas from all over the world. In its over 26 years of existence MANA has served as a foundation to support Latinas in their professional and personal endeavors. In doing so Latinas have been empowered to build stronger communities benefiting Hispanics and strengthening the nation's infrastructure.

Today the environment is filled with new inventions, re-inventions, and technological advancements at an astounding rate never seen before. Changes are happening so fast that we hardly learn a new phase and another change has replaced what we just learned. Whatever age we are, we are struggling hard to keep up, for if we do not we know we will lose whatever edge we had managed to gain. For most Latinas and especially young Latinas the changes are creating additional barriers to their personal and professional success. Today the odds are that Latinas are at a disadvantage in education, employment, economics, housing, health, and politics.

With all these odds, it is a wonder that Latinas have set out to establish a record number of businesses and in doing so have created an American phenomenon, that of being the fastest growing segment of new businesses in the entire country. Latinas have also set forth in the political arena in record numbers, at the local, county, state and national level. And it is with immense pride that many of those elected Latinas point to MANA as the foundation and spark that ignited and fanned their political fire and "ganas" to run and be elected. Some have been named as "Las Primeras"®, our program that recognizes Latinas who have accomplished a "first." Many point to their role as mentors and mentees of our unique program HERMANITAS® (little sisters), the unique MANA mentoring program.

I invite you to learn more about MANA and to join or form a chapter in your area. We have a strong multitude of Latinas prepared for the task of empowering other Latinas----but the need is greater than the resources at hand. Join us in making a difference. If you need an herMANA to help you reach your goals or if you want to play a role in helping other Latinas reach theirs, be a part of MANA. If you care about the future of Latinas, become a mentor to an hermanita. If you are a young Latina between the ages of 11 to 18, ask MANA to match you with a mentor through our HERMANITAS® program, including our new on-line mentoring program. And if you are a corporation or foundation, learn how you can support this effort.

America holds immeasurable promise for all. In order to make that a reality for Latinas of all ages and of all National origins, we must join hands and minds, knowing that together the mountains in front of us will be ones we can climb and not monumental barriers to our success.

"Como herMANAs podemos alcanzar las estrellas y asegurar el futuro de nuestras herMANAs,
hijas y nuestra comunidad Latina."

"As sisters we can reach the stars and ensure the future for our sisters,
daughters, and the Hispanic community."

11/02/00