By Joel Hanke |Staff Writer|
Award-winning journalist, Sylvia Mendoza, visited CSUSB’s John Pfau Library Wednesday Oct. 23 at 12 p.m., and inspired students through the influences of Latina women throughout history.
The lecture was based on her most recent written work, The Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas (Lives) of Passion, Strength, and Success.
The book highlights 150 accomplished Latinas, past and present, who have impacted the world through politics, art, media, science, sports and entertainment.
She provided an important perspective of Latinas from all sorts of countries and time periods.
Her goal is to empower all the women of today, while also raising awareness about the accomplishments of Latinas in historypr.
Mendoza has put a halt on women’s achievements being overlooked.
Her book tells stories of Latina women ranging from pop-stars to hardly known revolutionist whose bravery has changed history forever.
During the hour long power-point presentation, Mendoza highlighted a handful of her favorite women from the book, including: Selena Quintanilla-Perez, Luisa Moreno, Rosemary “Rosie” Casals, Dr. Antonia Novella and Loreta Janeta Valazquez to name a few.
One of the many Latinas Mendoza shared covered famous American singer-songwriter, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, better know as “Selena.”
The Mexican “Madonna” dominated the Latin American music charts her entire career before being shot and killed sixteen days before her 24th birthday.
Selena’s story is only one of 150 presented in The Book of Latina Women.
Student Jocelyn Perez, commented on the lecture afterwards saying, “I came here for extra credit, but learning about the struggles some of these women have gone through is unbelievable.”
If you are intrigued by inspirational stories that will motivate and empower oneself this book is for you.
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