The Latina Army's Looking for Young Latinas

Empowering young latina women to succeed

Nancy Roldan Johnson and Beatriz Rodriguez may be ages apart, but a common story brings them together.

Growing up in inner-city Bridgeport, Roldan Johnson was the first of her extended family of 70 to graduate from college.

“It was a very lonely process for me.  They didn’t understand why I wanted to break free from the status quo,” said Johnson. 

Beatriz, 17, also felt alone -- but by choice.  She quit competitive swimming to avoid overwhelming anxiety. 

“I’m very conservative and its nice to meet new people but I was just like, I just want to stick to my school work. I just want to do my own thing,” said Rodriguez.

Their paths crossed in a classroom workshop when the West Haven high school senior was introduced to “The Latina Army.”  It’s a volunteer-based organization Roldan Johnson created.  The mission is to empower young Latinas to put themselves out there and become accomplished women. 

“I wanted to help girls that were like me. Kids who are lost and lonely to let them know that it’s not impossible and there are ways to do it,” said Roldan Johnson.

The Latina Army gave Rodriguez the confidence to get back in the water and compete.  She's now captain of the girls swim team.

“We have a great group of girls and we are all close to each other we are kind of like a close little family,” she said.

Rodriguez recalls the ways the Latina Army changed her life. She not only met role models but was encouraged to express herself in the right ways.

“There are little things like journaling and stuff like that where [we write] whatever is on our mind. Things in particular, we jot them down and once we are done we go over it and share what we feel,” said Rodriguez.

 And it was that push she needed to come out of her shell and stay there.

“At least 98 percent of the girls that have gone thru the program say that it has helped them feel better about themselves and build their self-esteem,” said Roldan Johnson.

“I know I can take challenges.  Whatever comes my way I want to do it and I want to keep going forward and keep succeeding,” added Rodriguez.

The Latina Army is working together with the Girl Scouts of Connecticut to host a state-wide self-esteem conference called Nuestra Voz Latina.  Girls from 6th grade to 12th grade can attend -- Saturday, Nov. 7 at Central High School in Bridgeport.  To register at the Latina Army Web site.


 
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