In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re featuring Latinas Represent in this #ProblemSolver Spotlight. A partner of The Ascend Fund, Latinas Represent is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number and diversity of Latinas in public service. Learn more about Latinas Represent’s important and timely work in this Q&A with Stephanie Lopez, Executive Director of Latinas Represent.
As the proud daughter of immigrants who survived El Salvador's civil war, my journey is deeply rooted in love, community, and justice – the guiding forces behind Latinas Represent's mission to increase the number and diversity of Latinas in public service.
Growing up, politics was seen as dangerous in my family, and witnessing the violence and anti-immigrant rhetoric directed at Latine communities and Latinas in U.S. politics strengthened my commitment to this work. I know politics isn't safe and won't become safer if we continue to stand on the sidelines.
Working in immigration advocacy highlighted the pressing need for Latinas to be at decision-making tables. I encountered policies often disconnected from the realities of the communities these policies intended to serve.
I saw firsthand the importance of including our voices in the decisions that affect us. We deserve representatives who put their communities' needs and desires first.
Our organization is Latine-led, founded, and operated. Because of our identities as Latine individuals, we are deeply committed to creating a healthier and more inclusive democracy where Latina voices are heard and valued. This work is personal for each of us. Having been raised by strong Latinas, we see the disconnect between the powerful women in our lives and their absence in decision-making spaces. We are determined to change that.
Latinas Represent's holistic 360-degree approach supports Latinas throughout the public service continuum. Whether they are considering a run for office or are already elected officials, we provide tailored support through four pillars of engagement: capacity-building, research, storytelling, and community support. This approach ensures that Latinas enter public service and thrive in these spaces.
I am incredibly proud of Latinas Represent's progress over the last two years. We have directly supported more than 1,000 Latinas across 28 states, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and community to enter and succeed in public service. Our research has also become a valuable resource for academics and organizations like Latino Victory, highlighting our impact on the broader movement for women's political representation.
I am particularly proud of our commitment to building a strong community. Initiatives like the Elected Academy, launched this year in partnership with re:power, provide crucial support to Latina elected officials at the local and state levels.
Because public institutions were not designed by or for us, Latina leaders experience high rates of burnout and leave office prematurely. Through professional and leadership development, coaching, and a support network, we ensure these leaders feel supported, less isolated, and empowered to make lasting changes in their communities.
Building a reflective democracy means advancing women’s political leadership, especially Latina women. We must dismantle the systemic barriers that limit women’s access to public service—by addressing exclusionary party politics, increasing financial support for campaigns, and creating safe environments free from threats and violence. We must also invest more in Latinas and provide them with the resources, training, and mentorship that empowers them to run for office and thrive once elected. Equally important is amplifying their stories, ensuring that Latina women's unique experiences and perspectives are centered in conversations around policy and leadership.
To create a more inclusive democracy, I would shift our societal perception of public service leadership towards women and community. It’s vital that women of color, who are already leaders serving their communities, feel welcomed and valued in these roles.
By embracing leadership models that prioritize community impact and collaboration, we can create spaces where women of color not only belong but thrive and, in doing so, build a democracy that genuinely serves us all.
The Ascend Fund community is incredibly valuable for Latinas Represent. It provides us with a unique opportunity to connect with other organizations that share our vision for a more representative democracy.
Our work sits at the intersection of nonprofit, government, and social entrepreneurship—a space that can feel isolating, particularly as a first-generation Latina leader. Just as our program participants often struggle to see themselves reflected in government, I, too, find it challenging to see myself reflected in the space of democratic entrepreneurship. Through the Ascend Fund, we've been connected to opportunities that catalyze our efforts to advance women's representation in public service.
We are all working toward the same goal, and there's a real beauty in coming together, focusing our efforts, and moving collectively towards advancing women's political representation. We can achieve so much more when we work together, united in our vision for a more representative democracy.
Whether it's voting, serving as a poll worker, volunteering on a campaign, or running for political office, you have the power to create change in our communities. The fact that Latine Heritage Month begins just two months before the general election is a beautiful reminder of the sacrifices our ancestors made to secure these rights—they weren't just handed to us. Today, we still face injustices that we can change when we unite, engage, and make our voices heard. Let's honor our heritage by staying involved and shaping the future we want to see.
We invite you to join our mission to support Latina candidates during Latine Heritage Month and beyond.
Your actions, whether volunteering on a campaign, canvassing for a candidate, donating to a campaign, or encouraging a Latina to run, can significantly impact our community. Women are often asked seven times before they decide to run, so your encouragement is powerful. If you're ready to run for office, consider attending our upcoming Campaign Master Class from October 18-20 to gain the skills to launch a successful campaign where your Latinidad is an asset.
As Premier Partners for National Voter Registration Day, we're getting Latinas excited about registering themselves and their communities to vote. In the lead-up to the election, we're also working with Power to the Polls to emphasize the importance of diverse representation at the polls. We need more Spanish-speaking Latinas to sign up as poll workers, providing crucial bilingual support at the polls. It will take nearly 1 million poll workers to ensure the upcoming election runs smoothly, so if you or someone you know is ready to help their community vote, we encourage you to sign up.
Lastly, if you're an organization that would like to learn more about our work or partner with us, please email us. You can also become a part of our work by donating and following us on social media today, helping us continue to increase our impact and uplift Latina voices across the country.
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#ProblemSolvers shares perspectives on a wide variety of issues from across Panorama’s network. With partners working on a vast range of issues across the world, Panorama has a unique and privileged view of all the different ways change can happen across the social impact landscape. Whether we’re working with advocates or funders, storytellers or policymakers, corporate leaders or entrepreneurs, it’s clear that we’re all #ProblemSolvers.
