As anyone who has ever succeeded at achieving their goal will tell you, it’s often as important whom you know as it is what you know. Betty Alonso likely had that thought in mind when she created ConnectFamilias (CF) in Miami-Dade County over six years ago.
“We are the largest and growing minority group in the U.S. and, as such, have a responsibility to challenge the status quo. Education, parent engagement, economic parity and employment have to be highlighted as priorities for Hispanics in our community.”
“As I see others look up to me, I remain true to the qualities instilled in me by my Hispanic role models, hoping to be as inspiring and effective in developing tomorrow’s leaders as they have been.”
“In Mexico I developed a 10-year educational development program where I learned first-hand about the many challenges in implementing a results oriented project. It allowed me to see how given the right tools, proper food and nutrition, warm clothes – and a little hope and encouragement – that even the poorest child facing the greatest odds can flourish, exceeding his or her own expectations and transforming a community's quality of life and more importantly, quality of spirit.”
“The core of who we are is our genetic mark, one that gives us not only the opportunity but the responsibility to be part of the transformation that our world needs today.”
“In a society where there are so many conflicting messages to Hispanic women and the definition of success, we need to emphasize it starts from the heart and at home.”
“I believe Hispanic women face a challenging responsibility in today’s society, not only as role models for our own children and families, but as conduit of values and traditions to be passed onto our younger generations at the same time that we change the perception of gender roles in the Latino family.”
“As a growing minority, Hispanic women have led the way in business and have proven to be strong role models for other women as well as the next generation.”
“I believe the most important role of a Hispanic woman leader in today’s society is to serve as a role model, mentor and educator for the next generation of women leaders.”
