our history

Our Mission

Latinas Unidas is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization.  Our mission is to foster opportunities that will promote unity, cultural identity and the presence of the Latina woman in the community; to encourage and motivate women to be self-confident to assume leadership roles to positively impact society.  

Our Beginnings

It started where many Latinas have very important discussions; at a kitchen table in 1993, where Latinas discussed the need for mentorship and leadership opportunities representative of Latinas.  Shortly after, that December, a Steering Committee of more than 400 people was formed.  

At that time, the Steering Committee utilized a Governance Model to assess community-based efforts.  Under this model, this Steering Committee was limited to reviewing community projects for relevance and impact on the advancement of the Latin community, especially as it pertained to Latinas.  However, the Steering Committee wanted more that to just provide input, they wanted to be change agents.  The following year, 1994, the Steering Committee became Latinas Unidas.

Fourteen years later, Latinas Unidas was incorporated as Latinas Unidas, Inc.  Currently, this organization has over four hundred members and a full board of directors.  

Milestones

2020

• Latinas Unidas goes online in response to Covid-19.
• "Sentadas A La Mesa" is successfully launched.
• Spotlight Sundays is launched to recognize local efforts of Latinas during Covid

2019

• Mother and Daughter Brunch is successfully launched.
• Nuestra Cultura, Nuestra Salud is successfully launched while simultaneously partnering with Rochester Regional Health to offer FREE mammograms at the Mobile Mammography Center.

2018

• Latinas Unidas is a 2018 ATHENA Organizational Award finalist. 
• John Quiñones (ABC, What Would You Do?) is the keynote speaker at the Reconocimiento and Scholarship Awards.
• Latinas Unidas celebrates its 25 years in gala style.

2017

• In partnership with the local YWCA, Latinas Unidas hosts a Café con Leche with Sonia Manzano (Maria, from Sesame Street).
• Latinas Unidas hosts its first Father's Day Golf tournament to raise funds for the scholarship.
• Latinas Unidas becomes a partner of the Mayor's Inspiring Beauty event. 

2016

• Ricardo Anais (film director) is the keynote speaker at the Latinas Unidas Reconocimiento and Scholarship Awards.
• Xerox becomes a sponsor of the Latinas Unidas Scholarship fund.

2015

• Latinas Unidas receives the Group Community Empowerment Women Warrior Award.
• The first Latinas Unidas Business Expo is hosted.
• The Latinas Unidas scholarship is developed and awarded to a high school senior at the ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally.
• Latinas Unidas collects and distributes women personal hygiene products to local shelters.

2014

• Esmeralda Santiago (renowned author, "When I Was Puerto Rican") is the keynote speaker at the Reconocimiento Awards.
• Latinas Unidas hosts Iron Chef with East High School Culinary Program.

2013

• New Board Chair/President is elected to begin January 2014.
• Latinas Unidas joins the initial meeting to launch La Cumbre.
• Bertha Coombs (CNBC Reporter) is the Madrina for the ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally.

2012

• Latinas Unidas hosts the Latina Health Fair: Para Tu Salúd, Mujer Latina. 
• Latinas Unidas co-sponsors the Puerto Rican Festival Pageant

2011

• Latinas Unidas explores partnerships with local chefs.

2010

• Latinas Unidas joins the Puerto Rican parade. 

2009

• Committees are formed to do the great work of Latinas Unidas.

2008

• Latinas Unidas becomes Latinas Unidas, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization.
• We celebrate our “Quinceañera” anniversary during the Reconocimiento Awards.

2007

• The Reconocimiento Awards adopts a special Latina doll design by local artist.

2006

• Latinas Unidas participates in a fund raising event with national TV host Daisy Martínez for the Latina Women Scholarship Fund.
• Latinas Unidas, with other local organizations, hosts the Seminar “How to Negotiate… In Business and in Life” with international Latina speaker Maria Marín.

2005

• ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally reaches sold out (300) attendance record.

2004

• Latinas Unidas is recruited to lead ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally for girls.

2003

• Latinas Unidas celebrates 10 years!

2002

• Latinas Unidas partners in a public campaign with Eastman Kodak, Wegmans Food Market and WOKR TV for Hispanic Heritage Month and Women’s History Month.

2001

• Latinas Unidas receives the Buffalo Hispanics in Action Award.

2000

• Latina Women Scholarship is created. 

1999

• Latinas Unidas and the Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley partner to celebrate an annual Three Kings Day celebration. Over 300 children attend the celebration.
• Annual Reconocimiento Awards is turned to a luncheon event. Over 250 guests attend.

1998

• Latinas Unidas is honored with the Mayor's Unsung Hero Award.
• Café con Leche Series created (networking events) 

1997

• Latinas Unidas distributes a Hispanic Heritage Month Calendar of events to the Greater Rochester community.

1996

• Latinas Unidas sponsored the Women of Hope Poster Exhibit in the City Hall Gallery, depicting 12 successful Latinas in different professions.

1995

• First Reconocimiento Awards is hosted.

1994

• First community event is held.

1993

• First informational gathering is held.