Statewide Latina Leaders Announce Launch of Latina Civic
AC JosepH Media
**FRONT RUNNER LA PRENSA: LATINO LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE**
TRENTON — Statewide Latina leaders Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina, Laura Matos and Andrea Martinez-Mejia announced Wednesday the launch of a newly formed organization — Latina Civic.
Following years of investment in the development of LUPEPAC, Latina Civic spins-off with strong footing to focus on the growing base of Latinas in civic life beyond elected leadership.
With an eye on growing Latina engagement in civic and electoral activities in the state of New Jersey, Latina Civic forms three separate entities that creates diverse opportunities for participation and engagement of Latinas in all aspects of the political process, from education and training; to issue advocacy and electoral candidate support; ultimately — getting voices heard at the ballot box and in the public sphere is a win for our communities.
“Supporting women will continue to be at the forefront of our organization’s mission,” Campos-Medina said in a press statement. “New Jersey is a state with so much opportunity and potential for Latinas; our growing numbers as a population also means that we must enhance our capacity to generate policy ideas, advocate on behalf of our families and engage voters to vote for our issues and our candidates.”
Matos said she was excited to get involved with the organization.
“This incredible group of women will continue to collectively address the dire need for increased representation in all levels of elected and appointed office in New Jersey,” she said. “This continued effort and coordinated approach will be fundamental in making tangible change in the demographics of our elected and appointed officials.”
Martinez-Mejia said the foundation’s goal will be helping Latina Americans engage across the board in civic efforts.
“Educating and training Latinas to be civically engaged will be paramount in all that we do at the foundation,” she said. “We will work hard to ensure that Latinas receive the necessary tools to be competitive in New Jersey, which has been a difficult process thus far.”
Arlene Quinones Perez, who will serve as general counsel, said many of the women have been involved for more than 20 years engaging and inspiring other Latinas to leadership positions.
“Our community represents over 19% of the population in New Jersey, and we look forward to the day that our representation in elected offices is reflective of that number,” Quinones Perez said.
Latina Civic Action is a 501c4 non-partisan civic action committee whose mission is to advance a policy agenda that invests and advocates on behalf of Latinas. We will support issues, causes, and leadership that works to ensure Latinas thrive and achieve economic prosperity, equal representation in private and public sectors, and are a priority when advancing public policy and legislation.
Latina Civic PAC is a non-partisan political action committee whose mission is to increase the number of Latinas in elected and appointed office in the State of New Jersey. The committee promotes and supports progressive leaders who stand up for an agenda that invests in Latina political leadership and advances critical issues that matter to Latinas in New Jersey. The PAC will continue to distribute tens of thousands of dollars every election cycle to endorsed Latinas throughout the state.
Latina Civic Foundation is a 501c3 non-partisan educational committee whose mission is to build a network of civic engagement that expands Latina women’s capacity to develop their leadership potential and impact policy change via civic engagement in their local communities. By training women with the skills needed to run for office, manage and run electoral and issue-based campaigns, and build a base of strong community leadership, we hope to lay the foundation for future changemakers. The Foundation will also support initiatives that inform the public on critical issues that matter to Latinas in New Jersey.
Full lists of the boards for each organization are listed below.
Latina Civic Action 501 c4
Dr. Patricia Campos Medina, President
Cristina Pinzon, Vice President — Membership
Flora Castillo, Vice President — External Affairs
Lucia Gomez, Treasury
Milly Camacho, Secretary
Grissele Camacho
Sonia Delgado
Lizette Delgado Polanco
Laura Matos
Noemi Velazquez
Latina Civic PAC
Laura Matos, Chair
Grissele Camacho, Co-Secretary
Sonia Delgado, Co-Secretary
Lizette Delgado Polanco, Treasury
Milly Camacho
Flora Castillo
Sonia Delgado
Monica De Los Rios
Aida Luz Epifanio
Zulima Farber
Rosa Farias
Lucia Gomez
Kay LiCausi
Noemi Velazquez
Latina Civic Foundation 501c3
Andrea Martinez-Mejia, Chair
Connie Pires Sanchez, Vice Chair
Maria Del Cid-Kosso, Treasury
Brianna Earle
Aida Luz Epifanio
Analilia Mejia
Nohemi Soria-Perez
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