Whether it be a book tour, music tour or play tour, the bottom line is that those of us waiting for the tour to come to our town have to wait and wait and wait, and then we only get one chance to see either our favorite author, musician or actor.

Poster created by artist Nuvia Crisol Guerra

Yet, a group of very savvy Latinas have put together a whole different kind of tour that brings our favorite writers to our desktops as part of the "Women, Words & Wisdom" blog tour.

From May 19th till May 28th, ten Latina authors will participate in this fourth installment of the blog tour by posting original short stories and essays on their blogs. Readers, in essence, will tour each day to the day's designated author's blog where they not only get to read a great story but can enter into a contest to win a prize.

According to Mary Castillo, author and coordinator of the tour, in addition to elevating the profile of the authors, attracting more fans and supporting one another's literary efforts, the blog tour has another purpose too.

"We also hope that the blog tour will inspire a new writer out there to sit down and write that book that has been rattling around in her head," said Castillo.

The line-up for the blog tour starts with:

Continue reading "Latina writers blend "Words" and "Wisdom" in special kind of blog tour" »

Filed 16 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomorrow, across the nation, a new film opens with its three leading characters all Latinas — strong Latinas.

Lucy Gallardo, America Ferrera and Elizabeth Peña lead the cast in the new film, How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer. The film, already a multi-award festival winner, explores how three Latina women, of different generations, come to terms with their sexuality.

And when it comes to Latinas and sexuality, well, it's a well known fact that sexuality in Latinas never die, and that's what makes the film so interesting and touching at the same time.

From the 70-year-old grandmother who never really experienced true love and now finds herself flustered as she takes driving lessons from a man she finds attractive to her daughter who, as a single mom, is frustrated and lonely to her granddaughter who is at the age of discovering what all sexuality entails, the film serves as a mirror to a common theme in every Latina's life.

The film's director/writer/producer Georgina Garcia Riedel discusses direction with actress America Ferrera.

The film is the debut of writer, producer and director Georgina Garcia Riedel who was inspired to create the film because of her abuela.

How the Garcia Girls Spent their Summer is a love letter to the place where my grandmother resides, a small dusty border town called Somerton, Arizona. The film was conceived one winter when I asked my grandmother what she wanted for Christmas. She took me by surprise by saying a car. My mind began to race. What would a 70-year-old woman, who had never driven before in her entire life, do with a car and what troubles could she get into? From there, the writing began.

How the Garcia Girls Spent their Summer is definitely one of those movies that bonds Latinas of all ages. Unfortunately, it is only opening in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois and Texas but hopefully the wait won't be too long until it ends up on DVD, the Internet and cable tv.

In the meantime:

Filed 15 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

They say that everybody has at least one good story in them to write. Well, the same can be said that everyone also has one good invention in them to invent.

And when it comes to being creative and finding solutions to practical problems, women have risen to the challenge time and time again.

Now, it's time to be rewarded.

The annual "Mother of Invention" contest sponsored by Whirlpool is underway. This year, a new category has been added — the "Green" category. For the Green inventions, inventors "must meet one of the following criteria: minimize the impact on environmental resources, use recycled/natural materials or are an environmentally friendly product/service."

In total, five prizes will be awarded. The winner of the Overall Grand Prize will receive a $20,000 grant, Duet® Steam or Cabrio® washer and steam dryer pair, a Whirlpool® dishwasher and a $3,000 stipend for a new home office.

And all of the prizewinners will attend a two-day business boot camp led by Whirlpool experts covering areas such as product development, business strategy, innovation and technology, legal, accounting and marketing.

Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2008. Contest details and application form are available at the web site.

Last year, the Grand Prize Winner invented a very simple thing — baby bottle nipples that fit over juice and water bottles.

What's your idea?

Filed 14 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Latino independent filmmakers talent pool is growing everyday. Unfortunately, there's never been enough outlets or appreciation of Latino talent to get the word out to the greater community or for the community to support this budding independent filmmaking talent — until now.

Caachi Films is a new website that not only wants to promote independent (indie) filmmakers but help them earn a little bit of money for all their efforts.

Caachi distributes the independent films for download on its website. In turn, the independent filmmakers sell their films directly to their fans and retain 75% of the sales revenue. Film fans download the films in DVD resolution and can watch them on the computer, TV, video iPod/iPhone, and other personal media devices.

Caachi has over 30 categories of films, both free and with a minimal price tag: documentaries, comedy, science fiction, women's programming, animation, action adventure and the list goes on. There is also a Latino category featuring films such as:

Rapping at Fear — In Andrés Tabares’ barrio in Colombia, “social cleansing” groups wage war. When this thirteen-year-old raps against violence, people listen.

Perros Sin Amor — A beautiful woman lugging around a window frame around the country and city. We'll let you come to your own conclusions.

Gordo — 2007 Audience Award for Best Short Film at Cinequest film festival and 2007 Best International Short at Beverly Hills Hi-Def film festival. "Gordo" is a delightful culinary tale of an immigrant's journey from Mexico to the US and how Gordo's delicious creations have unintended effects. Gordo is a hard-working, gifted taco maker from Mexico who travels to America to make a better life for his family. Gordo arrives in Watsonville, CA where his only option to work is at Cinco de Taco, a national fast food chain. Appalled at how the chain makes tacos, Gordo sneaks his own ingredients into the fast food restaurant and prepares tacos the way he did in Mexico. Gordo's culinary gift gets him recognition, but does he want this recognition?

Filed 13 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Latinas comprise 48% of the Hispanic adult population in the United States. While Latinas are unique, as a collective whole, we share similarities with other women but also do retain certain distinctions, for good or bad.

Between 1980 and 2000, the Hispanic share of meat-processing workers increased from under 10 percent to almost 30 percent.

The Pew Hispanic Center recently released a very in-depth report on Latinas. From education to labor force participation, this report tallies the progress, or more like the lack of it, Latinas are making.

While most of the findings are discouraging, they do serve as a starting point to address issues that need to change to ensure the health and future prosperity of the greater Latino community.

Some of the "highlights" of the report:

The majority (55%) of all Hispanic women report that they speak only English in their home or that they speak English very well.

The labor force participation rate of Hispanic women (59%) is similar to the
participation rate for non-Hispanic women (61%). Native-born Hispanic women
(64%) have a higher participation rate.

Hispanic women are less educated than non-Hispanic women.

The marital status of Hispanic women is similar to that of non- Hispanic women. Equal shares of Hispanic and non-Hispanic women are married (54%).

Native-born Hispanic women who gave birth were more likely than immigrant Hispanic women to be unmarried. Half (50%) of all births to native-born Hispanic women in the previous year were to single mothers compared with 35% of immigrant Hispanic women.

Hispanic women are nearly three times as likely as non- Hispanic women to be uninsured, 36% versus 13%.

Median weekly earnings for Hispanic women who are employed full-time are $460 per week. The median weekly earnings of non-Hispanic women, $615, are 34% higher.

Hispanic women are much more likely than non- Hispanic women to live in a lower-income household
53% compared with 34%.

Hispanic women account for 12% of the employed female population in the United States. However, they account for 42% of women employed in farming, fishing and forestry occupations, 37% of women in building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations; and 23% of women in production occupations.

Hispanic women are more likely than non-Hispanic women to work in the following industries: eating, drinking and lodging services (11% versus 6%); personal and laundry services/private household services (6% versus 3%); and nondurable goods manufacturing (5% versus 3%).

More Hispanic women work in the wholesale/retail trade industry than any other industry. One-in-seven (15%) Hispanic women work in the wholesale/retail trade industry, a similar share as for non-Hispanic women (14%).

Filed 12 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Being a madre is a hard enough job these days without having to worry that the place a mom calls home may not be the best home for her or her child.

In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, the Save the Children organization has released their report card of the best countries to live to be a mom.

The Mother's Day Report Card top 10 and bottom 10 countries to be a mom.

The Mother's Day Report Card finds that the worst countries to be a mom are the usual suspects when it comes to poor quality of life — basically subSahara Africa.

The top countries to be a mom are in Europe, the South Pacific and Iceland. The United States ranked 27.

The report has some interesting findings:

Peru, of all the countries examined, has the highest survival gap between poor and wealthy children. What that means is that the poorest Peruvian children are 7.4 times more likely to die than the richest Peruvian children.

An alarming number of countries are failing to provide the most basic health care that would save children’s lives. In each of 55 developing countries – which together account for 83 percent of child deaths – more than 30 percent of children do not get basic health care when they need it. Nearly 200 million children under 5 in these countries are missing out on lifesaving interventions such as prenatal care,skilled
assistance during birth, immunizations,and treatment for diarrhea and pneumonia.

Every minute,a woman meets her death during pregnancy or childbirth.

Yet, this report card just isn't a doom-and-gloom report with no hope offered. The authors of the report do offer practical solutions.

It's just up to the governments of those countries to realize that they can do something to improve the lives of children and mothers in their countries — if they want to.

Filed 9 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday may have been the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy but the whole month of May is dedicated to increasing awareness of the topic.

From what we've seen, when it comes to young Latinas, that kind of awareness has to be reinforced on a daily basis.

As a result of yesterday's post Latina Teen Pregnancy Rate Deserves Recognition as National Crisis, college student and professional rapper ManAce shared with Latina Lista a music video titled "Hard Times" that he created this past semester.

"The song is about hard times in life in general but the story is specifically about a teenage girl who makes the mistake of young pregnancy and her parents dealing with it," said ManAce.

Latina Lista applauds ManAce for tackling a hard topic with such a socially conscious video and rap song.

Filed 8 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Long before mainstream media first took note of the curvaceous booty of Jennifer Lopez, Latinas everywhere have had to wrestle with clothes that just don't do the figures of Latinas justice.

A common Latina complaint is that most jeans fit mannequin booties better than Latina bodies. Yet, a new blue jean line is intent on changing how Latinas feel about their jeans.

The only way to get clothes that actually curve and bend with Latina figure lines is if a Latina is designing them. Well, a new blue jean line called Fiorana has exactly that — a Latina designer.

Based now in Fort Worth, Texas, after moving from Medellin, Colombia, the Fiorana line of jeans is designed by Colombian native Juliana Ramirez.

With product copy that reads: "elongates the leg, lifts the tush and slenderizes hips and thighs," it's obvious from the start that these jeans speak to Latinas' unique body needs. Especially good news is that it's stretch denim!

However Ramirez and her partner Mike Braden don't want non-Latinas to think the jeans aren't for them.

"Our collection is not about the "rear", it's about the fit and attitude," Ramirez says. "Every confident woman looks great in our jeans."

Prices range from the low $80s to mid $90s. There's also capri pants and a denim mini skirt in the collection.

For now, the clothes can only be bought online at the bilingual Fiorana store site but the young entrepreneurs are working hard to spread the news that Latinas want clothes that fit right, especially Fiorana jeans.

Filed 7 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

An interesting story from Texas' Rio Grande Valley surfaced today. It seems that in 1931 there was an ordinance created in Edcouch, Texas that divided the city into two sides: the American side and the Spanish side.

Border town, Edcouch, Texas' water tower at sunset.
(Source: kenanderson.net)

For anyone of Mexican or Spanish descent who wanted to work as a domestic servant, the ordinance was written to clarify who could cross into the American side from the Spanish side — keep in mind that the Spanish side was still within US boundaries and where Mexican-Americans lived.

The ordinance said: It shall be a misdemeanor for any such person (of Mexican or Spanish descent) to occupy any building on the American side either as a business or a dwelling except as a servant or a maid in the home and any person violating this would be fined no less than $1 and no more than $100.

Longtime residents of Edcouch attest to growing up in a segregated town until 1968 when the town's high school students marched out of school to protest discrimination. From that time on, things changed in the border town — except that people forgot about the ordinance, until on Cinco de Mayo.

Finally, 77 years after it was first put on the books in Edcouch, the ordinance dividing the town was repealed. Though it was more of a symbolic gesture than anything, the repeal was significant because it put an official end to such racial practices.

To James Loewen, Edcouch fits into what he terms "Sundown Towns," towns that divided, and some which still divide, their residents along racial differences.

According to Loewen, university scholar and author of Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, these towns still exist.

These are towns or suburbs where people of color are made to feel unwelcome, and even experience racist violence in the form of property vandalism or worse.

Whereas before, this "domestic racism" has been able to thrive below the radar and in very subtle ways, the candidacy of Barack Obama in this election is forcing the race issue in bedroom communities across the nation that have never had to deal with it before.

Loewen is continuing his research into Sundown Towns and is appealing for help in his research and a start to holding towns accountable for their racist agendas through legal actions.

Sundown Towns, like the Edcouch ordinance, deserve to be relics of the past — not of the present.

Filed 6 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

From March 19, 2003 through April 5, 2008, there were a total of 429 Latino soldiers, across all military branches, killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom — overall, 4,005 soldiers were killed during this time frame.

From March 19, 2003 through April 5, 2008, there were 1,924 Latino soldiers who returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom, across all military branches, wounded in action — overall, 29,676 soldiers returned from war wounded in action during this time frame.

As we know, "wounded in action" doesn't mean that their injuries can be healed with a band-aid and they are sent on their ways. Too, too often these soldiers have lost a limb or endured some other injury that not only is life-changing for them but impacts their families as well.

The smallest and most vulnerable victims of these situations are always the children. It is estimated that there are as many as 700,000 children under the age of five who has a parent in the military.

The children are the ones who miss their parents, don't quite know how to deal with a parent who returns not looking the same as he/she left and wrestles with the fear that their parent will have to go away again.

Rosita and Elmo help children of military parents make sense of what is happening to their families.
(Source: Sesame Workshop)

Trying to reassure these children is a monumental task for anyone. So, to help military families make the family transitions easier on the children, Sesame Street has released the second installment of a bilingual outreach project especially for military families called Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes.

The main focus of the outreach project is a series of videos showing the lovable and familiar Sesame Street character Elmo and his friend Rosita, among others, dealing with the changes in their families due to a parent being in the military.

One of six videos created to help children in military families cope with family transitions.
(Source: Sesame Workshop)

Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes seeks to:

Reduce the level of anxiety children may experience during homecomings after multiple deployments.
Help parents with ways to cope with multiple deployments.
Help young children gain an age-appropriate understanding of a parent.s injury by including them and the entire family in the rehabilitation process.
Reassure children that they are loved and secure and that together with their families, they can learn new ways of being there for one another and having hope for the future.

The Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes program is available in a kit with DVDs, print materials and special American Greetings postcards featuring Sesame Street characters for children and parents to stay connected while separated.

In fact, "Sesame Workshop will produce and distribute 500,000 kits at no cost to individual families, schools, child care programs, family support programs, hospitals and rehabilitation centers and other organizations serving the needs of military families. Special emphasis will be made to reach families of the Reserves and National Guard."

However, the whole program is available online in both English and Spanish — even the streaming videos of Elmo and his family and friends and downloadable songs.

It is a great way to get started on trying to make sense of a traumatic situation for children who may feel a little better in knowing that if Elmo and his friends can be OK then they will be too.

Filed 5 de Mayo, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)