Empowering and Uniting Latina Women with Deyanira Martinez - Journalist, Speaker, Author, Ep #125

I met Deyanira a few weeks ago at a conference she held in my town of Austin, TX. I was so intrigued by her passion and mission that I knew I wanted her on the show. She is a powerhouse Latina who is empowering other Latina women to tell their stories and elevate their lives.

Deyanira Martinez is a bilingual freelance writer and journalist who writes about prominent personalities, women’s empowerment, and social issues in the bicultural community of New York. She is a TV host, producer, and blogger who conducts the weekly TV segment Conversando Con Deya. Her professional career includes 18 years in advertising at The New York Times. She is also co-chair of the newspaper’s Latino network.

 Deyanira has appeared in Univision's Despierta América and her articles have been published by USA Networks, Latin TRENDS, El Especial, and MY Lifestyle magazine. She regularly serves as emcee and moderator of corporate events, galas, radio host and art expos.

Deyanira has received many awards for her work on TV and has become an authority in the community for her professionalism and work ethics. Deyanira Martinez holds a degree in journalism from Universidad Central del Este and a degree in business administration from Queens College, City University of New York.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • How “Mujeres que se atreven y superan límites” got started (2:18)

  • Why breaking the stereotype of the “quiet pretty” Latina is so important (7:27)

  • The importance of teaching your children Spanish (13:45)

  • Why education does not have to be Ivy League to be important (18:16)

  • How showing up authentically as a Latina gives hope to others (26:56)

How Deyanira started her movement during the pandemic

Deyanira and her friend Alba Letycia were collaborating on ideas to get professional visibility. Deyanira had the idea to gather the amazing women they knew and showcase their stories by writing a book about their journeys and successes. They had no idea that it would be such a blessing to everyone involved. It became a conference, a catalyst, and something that allowed Latinas to discover their power. She just released a second volume of the book because Latinas need to know that they are not alone in their unique journeys to success.

Why the idea of a “pretty, quiet” Latina needs to go

The stereotype that a professional Latina woman in the U.S. is beautiful, quiet, and doesn’t make trouble or noise is a long-standing issue that Deyanira is familiar with. She remembers getting that message as she was trying to succeed in the workplace. But as there are over 60 million Latinos in the U.S. currently, there’s no reason to be quiet and minimize your value in the economy and the workplace. To get promoted, to get better opportunities, and to build your own path to success, you need to be seen, you need to be heard, and you need to be valued. That means that you need to learn English and understand the culture of the place you live in. Being bilingual, well-educated, and showing confidence is a huge path towards improving the opportunities for the Latin community in the U.S.

The value of going outside your comfort zone to grow

When I invited Deyanira to the podcast, she would have loved to have this conversation in Spanish. But we both know how important it is to educate, empower, and inspire others who are watching us to do things outside their comfort zones. That’s a big reason why I host this show in English. Deyanira and I have seen the value of investing in our education, both formal college and other kinds of training. It is essential to acclimate to the place and customs you live in, while keeping your own culture alive as well. This is also so important to teach your children and lead the way for them to understand the value of accessing education, growth, and the best resources.

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