Durante los casi tres años desde que comenzó Holdin’ Out for a Hero, mi primer blog ha sido como leña para el fuego para yo atreverme a retarme a mi misma. En muchas ocasiones, también me ha inspirado a retar a los que formulan las políticas en Washington, D.C., y hacerles preguntas relevantes como “¿qué exactamente hace la camarilla política de espina bífida?”
Jamás en mis sueños más salvajes me pude haber imaginado que, en menos de dos años después de que les escribí a los treinta y seis miembros de la camarilla, yo tendría la oportunidad de hacer estas preguntas– no en Capitol Hill, pero en la Casa Blanca.
Hace como tres semanas, al principio de mis vacaciones en familia en varios países (¡publicaré más sobre eso muy pronto!), recibí un correo electrónico de Latinos in Social Media invitándome a que solicitara para el primer Top Blogueras Retreat (retiro para blogueras influenciales) en Washington, D.C.– ¡con la promesa de que, si me escogieran, yo asistiría a una reunión informativa de política en la casa más famosa en el país!
- Johnson & Johnson
- Procter and Gamble
- Mary Kay
- Southwest Airlines
- Univision
- Comcast
- McDonald’s
- Fleishman Hillard
- Babble.com
- Macy’s
- Porter Novelli
- Consumer Reports
In the nearly three years since Holdin’ Out for a Hero was born, my firstborn blog has been fuel for me to step up and challenge myself. Many times it has fueled me, in turn, to challenge our policy makers in Washington, D.C., and ask them burning questions, such as what exactly is the Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus doing? Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that, less than two years after I wrote all thirty-six caucus members, I would have the opportunity to pose these questions– not on Capitol Hill, but at the White House.
About three weeks ago, at the very beginning of my multi-country vacation abroad (more about that coming very soon!), I received an E-mail from Latinos in Social Media inviting me to apply to attend the very first LATISM Top Blogueras Retreat in Washington, D.C.– with the promise that, if selected, I would be able to attend a policy briefing at the most famous house in the country! It was such an honor to be selected by LATISM to be among 70 blogueras from all over the nation. If I am to be honest with you all, since this E-mail reached me while I was on vacation, and the event was literally a day after my jet-lagged return, I did not think I would be able to make it. While I thoroughly enjoyed my adventures in Italy, Morocco and Spain, in the back of my mind was the stress that I needed to figure out how to get there. I need not have worried! Where there’s a will, there’s a way. 🙂
Before we could even dream of being invited to La Casa Blanca, a lot of hard work and coordination had to take place. The team that made this unprecedented event possible included LATISM founder Ana Roca-Castro, LATISM Vice Chair of Marketing Elianne Ramos, LATISM board member and Director of Federal Government Relations at McDonald’s Corporation Sylvia Aguilera, Latina Bloggers Connect founder Ana Flores, Todobebé Founder/CEO Jeannette Kaplun, Las Blogueras founder Yoly Mason, Jennifer Lubriani of FHI 360and so many others I know I’ll fail to mention. Less than two years ago, I remember all too well my increasing frustration as each day passed and I didn’t get a reply from any caucus members. What amazed and inspired me is that all of us who were selected for this truly humbling honor arrived at the Executive Office Building with a common purpose– to hold our government accountable. So, on Sunday most of us arrived, and we were immediately welcomed that evening at a reception in the lobby/lounge of the Hotel Helix.
During the retreat we were well-fed, nurtured, and loved on by the LATISM ladies crew! It must be said– LATISM always goes above and beyond anyone’s expectations.
This all could not have been done without the support of the event’s sponsors:
- Johnson & Johnson
- Procter and Gamble
- Mary Kay
- Southwest Airlines
- Univision
- Comcast
- McDonald’s
- Fleishman Hillard
- Babble.com
- Macy’s
- Porter Novelli
- Consumer Reports
On Monday, after a morning of some serious workshopping and inspiration, we headed off to 16oo Pennsylvania Avenue to make history for Latinas everywhere! There, in the Executive Office Building, we were briefed by top officials in the areas of education, health, and jobs.
Throughout the briefing, many blogueras were allowed to pose questions or concerns at the podium. It was incredible and awe-inspiring to see and hear Latinas from all over the nation (and also representing a vast array of Latin American countries) voicing their ideas and opinions in the nation’s capital. Indeed, the most emotional moment for me was when I stood up before these White House officials with my fellow blogueras (and hermanas!) Eliana Tardío of ElianaTardio.com and Lisa Quiñones Fontánez of AutismWonderland.com. Together, we addressed our concerns in the areas of education for children with special needs, and I voiced my disappointment at the lack of response from the Congressional Caucus on Spina Bifida. (While this was the legislative branch’s, and not the executive branch’s fault, my several letters to the President and the First Lady have also gone unanswered. Besides, why would I pass up the invaluable opportunity to make my voice heard!?)
What this event taught me, above all, is that, while is it useful to have goals, you can’t really set an expiration date on a dream. For me, the dream that was fulfilled on May 21st has been several years in the making– even long before Holdin’ Out for a Hero was even an idea that popped into my head. So many of the people at this event that week believed in me and knew I would get to the White House someday– long before I fully understood the power I harness as a Latina blogger. I’ve often quoted the saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” LATISM and the hermanas I’ve met along the way have all been such an integral part of my “upbringing” as a blogger and social media enthusiast, but also as an activist. So, thanks all, for being part of my village– and for allowing me to be a part of yours.
You can see more photos of this historic event at my Flickr album. Also, don’t forget to check out this wonderful recap published on the White House blog– I’m quoted!! Ladies, please feel free to share your recap posts using the linky widget below! I look forward to many great reads. 😉
Love,
Laurita ♥