Latina Struggles—Professional & Personal Experiences with Dr. Maria Chávez
Seattle Branch AAUW July 4, 2023
Dr. Maria Chávez was an excellent speaker and gave a passionate and informative talk on issues that Latinas face both professionally and personally. The white power structure often assumes that Latinas are the servants or the help - even when they have PhDs and are important parts of the faculty or business concern.
Besides the disrespect the white power structure bestows, there is a system in Latino/Latina families that tends to favor the males, pampering them and giving them privileges, while the females are kept busy working at home and not encouraged to get a good education and perform well in school. This is another big hurdle for Latinas who want to be successful. This much more personal and in some ways harder to overcome.
Beyond these two powerful obstacles, there is also the matter of citizenship. Dr. Chávez was born a US citizen. She married young and moved in with her husband’s family who were not citizens. When her husband was abusive, she was able to get a restraining order and find a local safe space. Another female from her husband’s family could not get a restraining order as a non-citizen and had to flee across state line to find a safe place for herself. Dr. Chavez was able to continue her education and get a good job, while the other woman, though hard working and persevering, could not get an education or qualify for a good job.
Dr. Chávez is a Professor of Political Science at Pacific Lutheran University specializing in American government, public policy, and race and politics. As a first-generation college graduate herself, her work centers on the progress and barriers of Latinas/Latinos in the United States.
She was awarded the American Political Science Association’s Best Book in Latino Politics twice — first for Everyday Injustice (2011), and most recently for Latino Professionals in America (2019). Learn more about Dr. Chávez on her website.
NBC News on Latinas in Higher Education. Shortly after our May meeting, Dr. Maria Chávez was interviewed by NBC News for an article on culture wars and Latino professors.
In addition to this great program, we also held our Annual Meeting and elected Gay Armsted as our president for two more years. She is currently our co-president. Pamela Bradburn will be our new Programs Chair and June Arnold will be our new Secretary. Thanks to all who attended. Beyond the interesting program, we enjoyed visiting and sharing ideas with each other.
