What Is "Latina Power"? A Story of Resilience, Heritage, and Comunidad
Itzel Lopez, LEDC CEO at the 2025 Adelante Gala
This week, the phrase "Latina Power" made national news during a Congressional hearing questioning whether the term belongs in public spaces like the Smithsonian Institution. While politicians debate the phrase on Capitol Hill, for those of us living it every day, the definition isn't up for debate—it is lived, earned, and undeniable.
So, what is Latina Power?
I don’t think of abstract political debates or corporate buzzwords. I think of bright yellow walls, red chairs, and the smell of homemade caldo de res and chile rellenos at Maria Bonita Mexican Cuisine. I think of my mother’s recipes, my father’s untiring work ethic, and the sheer strength it took for our family to rise back up every single time life tested us.
Latina Power is turning sacrifice into strength, adversity into leadership, and economic contribution into opportunity for many more latinos and latinas around the world.
Overcoming Adversity & Building a Legacy
Maria Bonita was thriving when my father was diagnosed with cancer. Without hesitation, we paused our entrepreneurial dreams to care for him. Then, DACA passed and my sisters and I entered the workforce, giving us the opportunity to step up, support our family, and help rebuild our business again.
Through relentless effort, we expanded our family business into a fleet of food trucks and a full brick-and-mortar restaurant—until the day ICE arrived at our doors and my father was deported. Managing the businesses without him took an immense toll, and years later, cancer took his life while he was away from us back in Mexico.
Despite these heart-wrenching hardships, my father’s ultimate dream lived on: to see his daughters graduate from college, build successful careers, and ensure our mother was taken care of with dignity, security, and love.
Today, my sisters and I have fulfilled those dreams- Maria Bonita still rolls on four wheels, serving our family’s recipes all over the city, while we each serve as empowered Latina community leaders and successful business owners from Southeast Omaha.
The Unstoppable Engine of Latina Economic Empowerment
Our story is not an exception; it is part of a massive, nationwide movement driven by Latinas across the country.
According to the latest Latino Donor Collaborative U.S. Latinas Report, Latinas are driving the American economy forward at record rates:
Economic Force: U.S. Latinas generate over $1.3 Trillion in GDP, making the Latina economy larger than the entire GDP of countries like Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey.
Entrepreneurial Momentum: Latina-owned businesses are growing at twice the rate of all other women-owned businesses, forming the fastest-growing segment of small business owners in the nation.
Educational & Workforce Growth: Latinas are entering higher education and the professional workforce in record numbers, representing an irreplaceable pillar of U.S. economic strength, labor growth, and community resilience.
That lived experience—and those statistics—are what fuel my desire to build a more inclusive Nebraska. Through our work at the Latino Economic Development Council, we focus on uplifting entrepreneurs, creating pathways to economic independence, and providing Latino businesses owners with the tools they need to flourish.
Additionally, as a board member for Latina Professionals®, I am deeply committed to representation, mentorship, and building spaces where Latinas can step into executive and leadership roles with confidence and purpose.
Latina Power is knowing that our history doesn't limit us—it anchors us. It gives us the courage to break barriers and open doors for the next generation.
Join Us: Latina Professionals Nebraska Chapter Launch Fiesta
We are bringing this exact energy, national momentum, and community vision right here to Nebraska! I am thrilled to invite you to celebrate a major milestone with us. Come meet, celebrate, and support other Latinas in our community.
Juntas, let’s redefine what leadership looks like—con cultura, risas y mucho sazón!
Itzel Lopez
LEDC CEO
