Being Latina Today Means Staying True To Yourself #OrgullosaHeritage

Disclosure:  This is part of a compensated campaign with P & G and Latina Mom Bloggers.  
However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Last week I joined a Facebook chat hosted by Adrienne Bailon as part of Orgullosa's Hispanic Heritage celebration.  I usually find webinars, conference calls and chats a bit boring (who doesn't?) but the Nueva Latina was absolutely enchanting.  I could not get enough of her being so real, so down to earth.  She spoke about her love of both her cultures - her dad is from Peru, her mom is from Puerto Rico but raised in New York.  She shared stories about her family, both now and while she was growing up.  She loves being Latina and is so proud to be one.  She is unquestionably passionate about her heritage and career.  I especially loved when she would break out into a song.  My favorite:  learning about her love for Selena and singing Como la Flor.  For all these reasons, I can relate to Adrienne and appreciate her being a nueva latina.  All reasons why I love being involved with Orgullosa.  

Orgullosa is a community that celebrates, empowers and fuels Latinas' accomplishments and dreams.  It is an online destination for them to connect, share, inform and inspire each other through the transformative power of community and culture.  At Orgullosa, we celebrate our Hispanic Heritage everyday of the year...because that's who we are!  


I had the unique opportunity to ask Adrienne a few burning questions and she answered this question:  
Being successful at a young age is hard work.  When you aren't working, what do you do for fun?  How do you stay grounded?  I was thrilled with her answers and have them on two short videos for you here and here.  Two questions that were covered in the chat and answered by many attending were:

What DOES it mean to be a Latina of today?  How do you balance living in two worlds and still celebrate your heritage and embrace your American lifestyle?

These are questions I struggle with daily.  My ancestors are Spanish but learning and embracing it was basically an afterthought in my mostly multicultural upbringing.  I was mainly raised Chamorro and Filipino.  I have been tracing back my heritage and know the fire inside has to come from my hispanic bloodline.  Being latina today means staying true to yourself and putting you first!  

I created this with the new Orgullosa Heritage app - it's easy, show your pride!  You can make one here.  

  

Join us for an exclusive Orgullosa Facebook Chat with Adrienne Bailon!

Disclosure:  This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Orgullosa.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

The Orgullosa community already celebrates, empowers and fuels Latinas' accomplishments and dreams everyday as “mujeres con la falda bien puesta”.   We celebrate where we come from and where we are going.  During Hispanic Heritage Month, Orgullosa wants to join together to recognize our Latina culture and passion to inspire each other because that’s who we are!

Join us to discuss how our bicultural community represents strong, independent women who celebrate having the best of two worlds: one being rooted in their Hispanic culture and the other seizing their limitless potential in the U.S. The Nueva Latina!

Celebrity Guest Adrienne Bailon will chat with us LIVE on Facebook to discuss her experience and point of view as a fashionista, television host, actress, musician and more.  Growing up as a bicultural Latina, she’ll share how her culture has shaped her today, and provide her personal advice for Latinas trying to reach their dreams and aspirations – all exclusive to the Orgullosa community!

And as always, we’ll have some amazing prizes to give out along the way!

Party Details:

What: Orgullosa ‘Celebrating our Hispanic Heritage Everyday: Being the Nueva Latina Generation’ LIVE Facebook Chat

When:  Wednesday, September 25th at 9 PM EST

Where: https://www.facebook.com/orgullosa

Hashtag: #OrgullosaHeritage

Special Guest: Adrienne Bailon, Nueva Latina 

Moderators: Latina Mom Blogs (http://www.facebook.com/latinamomblogs) 

Brand: https://www.facebook.com/orgullosa

Website: http://www.orgullosa.com/

Prizes: Three (3) gift baskets with your favorite Procter & Gamble home and beauty products, Orgullosa goodies, mini-ipod, and gift certificate, valued at $250 each.

RSVP: To be eligible to win prizes, you must RSVP at Latina Mom Bloggers.

Power In Numbers - Where Are My #Orgullosa Women?

My Nana, the matriarch of our family was strong, unbelievably smart and instilled an immense amount of pride in me.  Even though she didn't specifically say, "Mujeres con La Falda Bien Puesta" (women with their skirts well positioned), she sure taught me how to be an Orgullosa woman by just watching how she conducted her day (cooking, cleaning, taking care of business!) and how she interacted with everyone.  She wore the crown and I wanted to be like her.     

I was talking with mi amiga Ruby earlier about my Papa teaching me at a very young age that I have a voice and never be scared to use it.  He taught me about my mixed ethnicities.  He taught me about being a second generation American.  At 7 years old, I can vividly remember him starting to teach me that when I turned 18 and was able to vote that I would need to vote or I would lose my voice.  I had no idea what he meant until I became a teenager and actually expressed my plans for life after high school to my counselor.  That was just my first step in exercising my independence.  

I credit my grandparents for teaching me these things and sharing their stories - life lessons that we sometimes overlook, I didn't know what it meant to be American until I had to stand up for what I believed in.  My whispers became shouts.  I prepared to use words as weapons - I have always fought the good fight.  Especially when other people can not.  Thanks to my beautiful grandparents, it is in my blood.  

One of the most important times I decided to flex my newfound voice was when we were going through contract negotiations at work in 1999.  Our contract was up and when we weren't going anywhere in negotiations, my Union decided that we had to take action and that meant staging a walk-out during a Santana concert.  I was so nervous, I had a career in management in my future and didn't know what to do.  I decided my beliefs were important and if I did this, I could be inspiring to my children and my coworkers.  About a week after that action, our contract was signed, sealed and delivered.  I can not tell you how empowered I felt.  

I took that power and have always used it to preach to family and friends that they can do anything they want in life.  I count on my community of blogger amigas to inspire, motivate and support me with any idea big or small.  These women know they can always count on me for words of encouragement.  

We women need to build up our communities so no one can take us down - not even each other.  There is power in numbers!  Together - with our diversity and individuality - we share limitless potential.  

Join the Orgullosa community.  Like Orgullosa on Facebook.  For more info, visit Orgullosa.com

Disclosure:  This compensated post is written in partnership with Orgullosa.com and Niche Mommy Network & Conference.  All thoughts are my own.