National Latina Business Women Association L.A. Latinas In Biz Blog

3 Secrets to Achieving Success as a Supervisor

Elizabeth A. Garcia — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:29:13 GMT

Are you a Supervisor hoping to build stronger relationships with your teammembers? Do you have high expectations but are wondering why your team isn't meeting those expectations? Are you in a Supervisory position and find yourself in any of the following scenarios:

Not staying consistent in what you are saying and what you are doing
Your expectations are not translating to your team's outcomes
Have trouble "letting go" of tasks that can be done by others

In this workshop MyCoachLiz will share with you:

Secrets and strategies to getting your team to work effectively
Practical tools for improving your reationship with your team members
The #1 secret to feeling successful as a supervisor

This workshop will be frank, real and true to your experiences as a Supervisor. Looking forward to working with you!

*THIS WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO ALL WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

For any questions feel free to contact MyCoachLiz (Garcia) directly at liz@mycoachliz.com or at 323.527.7228.

To find more information on MyCoachLiz visit:

www.mycoachliz.com

www.facebook.com/mycoachliz

www.youtube.com/mycoachlizla

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in the Greater Los Angeles Area

Julie Delgadillo — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:07:35 GMT

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in the Greater Los Angeles Area

Applications for the September 2012 class are due by July 23, 2012.

Applications are also accepted on a rolling basis for future classes

About the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program

From September 2012 through December 2012, participants attend a highly practical 11-session business management education program that meets from 8:30am to 5:30pm on Fridays at Los Angeles Community College. Participants also commit 6-8 hours per week for out-of-class activities geared towards their business. The benefits of the program include:

Practical Business Education: Learn practical and immediately applicable skills to grow your business
Business Support Services: Receive one-on-one business advising to help develop a strategic and tailored plan for growth
Potential Capital to Expand: Opportunity and tools to position your business to access capital
Network of Support: Access to a team of entrepreneurs (nationally and locally) with similar experiences and challenges
Alumni Services: Opportunities to participate in business services and networking events after completing the program

Target Applicant: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is designed for business owners with limited resources who have a business poised for growth. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to growing their business and creating jobs within their community.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

Applicant must be an owner or co-owner of a business
Business in operation for at least two years
Business revenues between $150,000 and $4.0 million in the most recent fiscal year
Business with a minimum of four employees

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Learn More - Attend an Information Session at:

Pacific Coast Regional

Small Business Development Center

3255 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1501

Los Angeles, CA 90010

May 31, 2012

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

RSVP for an Information Session at

petersse@lacitycollege.edu or (323) 953-4000 ext. 2576.

Walk-ins welcome!

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Los Angeles City College staff is readily available to assist you through the

application process.

Contact the Los Angeles City College 10,000 Small Businesses team today:

Phone: (323) 953-4000 x2576

Email: LACC10ksb@lacitycollege.edu

Website: LACC10KSB.com

Financially Fit Foundation Workshop

Julie Delgadillo — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:52:21 GMT

Financially Fit Foundation Workshop

Olivia Galicia Glauber, founder of Financially Fit Foundation, is conducting a workshop this Saturday April 28th at her home in Pasadena. This non profit organization is to teach and inform people on how to manage finances, get financially fit and achieve financial freedom. She does this through "sales free" workshops. These workshops are basically free. She does ask for a suggested donation of $10. - $25 made payable to Financially Fit Foundation.

Olivia has a Bachelor's in Business Administration / Accounting with a minor in Economics. She also passed the CPA exam. She has been financially fit and has achieved financial freedom many years ago. She wants to show people how she did it.

At this workshop Olivia will show you a couple of ways to keep track of your expenses; how to effectively manage and organize your mail / bills / documents and how long to keep them. She will also show you how easy it is to be ready to file and plan your income tax returns and to be ready to create your annual budget.

Workshop is from 9:30 - Noon. We start with breakfast, meet and greet and workshop from 10-12.

If you want to make smart financial decisons, these workshops will give you the information you need to do that.

To sign up for this workshop contact Olivia Rios:

email: orios@glaubermg.com

phone: 310-403-3688

4 Principles of Leadership Workshop - Sunday, April 29th at 10 a.m.

Elizabeth A. Garcia — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:33:15 GMT

4 PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN WITH MYCOACHLIZ

You know you have strong leadership potential! You are moving in a positive direction! Now you just need those 4 Principles of Leadership to ensure you are feeling and looking confident and effective in your work as a leader. In this workshop we will:

EXPLORE THE 4 PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP

• Show Up to Blow Up: You decide your fate

• Stay in Integrity: You know what's right, follow it!

• Fall. Stand up. Fall. Stand up taller: The journey is all in the outlook

• Help - Give it and Get it: Generously give of yourself, and ask for it when it is your turn

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU IF:

• You are ready to move into a new level of leadership

• You are ready to become the bold, effective leader you know you can be while maintaining the feminine beauty you hold

• You are looking to strengthen your network of support

• You know that great leadership isn't about a title but about attitude

THIS WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO WOMEN IN ALL LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP

RSVP via email to liz@mycoachliz.com.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

10 am – 12 pm

Salesian Family Youth Center

2228 E. 4^th St.

Los Angeles, CA 90022

You can find more info about MyCoachLiz at www.mycoachliz.com or www.facebook.com/mycoachliz.

After Emerging Latinas.

Sylvia Morris — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:20:01 GMT

I wanted to share that I am extremely thankful for the Emerging Latinas program. I got so much out of being a part of it. More than anything, I was extremely inspired. As a result of the program I launched and 8 Week Course " No Strings Attached' on distorted body image. I am a former figure competitor who struggled with an eating disorder for almost 13 years. My dream has always been to overcome and give hope to someone else. Distorted body image is a LIVING hell. I want to encourage you to spread the word. "No Strings Attached" is currently on week 7!! Its FREE of Charge and will begin again Shortly!!

Looking for Bilingual Volunteers in Los Angeles to work in the field of Restorative Justice

Mariela Villar — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:44:27 GMT

Dear Prospective Volunteers:

No matter who the person, there is a common thread running through each of us; that is the desire to utilize peacemaking tools and conflict resolution techniques to resolve issues and promote the peacemaking process in our communities.

Centinela Youth Services (CYS) would like to offer you the opportunity to become a volunteer mediator for our unique mediation programs. Since 1992, Victim/Offender Restitution Services (VORS) has been holding meetings between juvenile offenders and their victims. For the youth, it is a chance to put their crime in the past and make amends with their victim. For the victim, it is the opportunity to finally receive compensation for losses and to be a part of a process, which is not usually possible through the courts and probation. Youth offenders are 80% less likely to be re-arrested and 98% of participants would recommend the program to a person in a similar situation.

Our Families Able to Resolve Situations (FARS) program brings parent and child together using mediation designed to strengthen and preserve the family unit. The program targets families in extreme crisis with youth between the ages of 10-17 years old, which have exhibited behaviors such as truancy, poor grades in school, and possible drug use. If you decide to take part in our fabulous program you will receive supplemental training in child development, adolescent issues and family dynamics. Referring agencies report that 75% of the referrals to the FARS program have a successful result.

In order to better serve the community, we desperately need volunteers specially bilingual to help with both programs. Making a commitment to become a community volunteer with CYS affirms the principal of reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace in the community, so if you believe you have the skills to become a peacemaker for families in crisis and juvenile offenders, please get involved. Please feel welcome to contact our office for more questions at 310 970 7702.

Warm Regards,

Mariela Villar

Program Coordinator

Centinela Youth Services

Ph: 310 970 7785 Fax: 310 675 2300

Website: www.cys-la.org

Inspiring short film project.

Maria Valdez — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:09:43 GMT

Check out the video on the project:

http://www.indiegogo.com/Diaphanous?a=287942

Inspiring short film project.

Maria Valdez — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:08:53 GMT

Hello lovely ladies,

I am an independent film producer working a short film about bullying.

Diaphanous (working title) is an inspiring short film about a 12 year old boy who is deemed as "different" by the children at his school. A talented artist, he is relentlessly bullied by his classmates. As a last resort he turns to the internet for help.

With your support and generous donations you can help turn this "goal" into an important film. Bullying is on the increase, especially through social media sites. Hopefully this film will help educate parents and teach their children that bullying is not acceptable.

We are a powerful and dynamic group of women and we are already attracting some of the best up-and-coming talent in the industry to work with us. You can be an early supporter in not only what is going to be a powerful film, but also an inspiring production process.

You can help by going to the link below, watching the video and donating to our project or by sharing it on your Facebook Page. Thank you.

http://www.indiegogo.com/Diaphanous?a=287942

Maria Valdez

VaLor Media Producions

818-415-5007

SBA Office of Advocacy

Sandra Arreola — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:50:43 GMT

During the last week in June 2011, the Office of Advocacy hosted a series of roundtable discussions in each of the ten SBA regions. The events, convened by Advocacy’s Regional Advocates, brought together women from all walks of life to discuss the status of women-owned businesses, the challenges and successes. The roundtables were held in the states of Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Iowa, Colorado, California, and Washington. Regional Roundtables Focused on Women-owned Businesses

The years from 1997 to 2007 were a dynamic period in the U.S. economy. The strong growth early in this period was negatively affected by the recession of 2000-2001; strong economic growth resumed in 2002-2007. The data for this period reflect an economy moving out of a recession and ending on a high note in 2007, before the next recession. How did women and other small business owners fare during this 10-year period between 1997 and 2007? Developments in Women-owned Business, 1997-2007

National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter (NLBWA-LA) Annual Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive.

Germaine Peña — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:54:49 GMT

National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter (NLBWA-LA) Annual Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive.

To Benefit Plaza de La Raza Culture Center for the Arts & Education

Los Angeles, Calif. -- The National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter (NLBWA-LA) hosted their “Annual Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive” Friday, December 09, 2011 from 6pm-10pm.

The annual holiday event took place at the City Club on Bunker Hill, located at 333 S. Grand Ave. 54th Floor in Downtown Los Angeles.

The NLBWA Annual Holiday Celebration toy drive highlights its benefits towards Plaza de La Raza Culture Center for the Arts & Education. As an attendee all guests were required to donate a toy gift valued at $10.00 or more.

Community Business leaders, business owners, NLBWA members and invited organizations and guest all gathered together for the holiday celebration and enjoyed festive holiday appetizers, food and spirits with the accompany of live music by Plaza’s Youth Mariachi Ensemble helping kick off the holiday season.

“We had a wonderful time Friday; our family was impressed with the children’s performance. The event was a success.” stated Frank William, from Capital Direct Funding and participating Host & Sponsor for the event.

“The NLBWA –LA never ceases to amaze me on the effort to make quality events that demonstrate what the NLBWA is all about….We are proud to support the NLBWA-LA.”

NLBWA-LA’s mission is to encourage Latinas to develop their business and professional skills and to meet their career goals through education, business referrals and networking.

“We are extremely pleased with this year’s participation in our Annual Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive. It is with the help of our NLBWA-LA members, sponsors and supporters that we are able to give back to our Los Angeles community.” stated Rose Elena Sauceda, Board Member of NLBWA- LA. Sponsors for this year’s event and a special thank you for their support are: Oppenheimer, Padilla Group, Capital Direct Funding and Comerica Bank.

Those interested in professional growth, relationship building and expanding their opportunities are encouraged to participate and join the NLBWA-Los Angeles Chapter. For more information about NLBWA-LA contact NLBWA-LA at (213) 559-0665, or visit www.nlbwa-la.org. Questions and information can be directed via email at info@nlbwa-la.org.

About NLBWA-LA
National Latina Women Business Association, Los Angeles Chapter (NLBWA-LA), a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan organization was established in July of 2003 to meet the needs of the growing ranks of Latina Entrepreneurs, Executives and Professionals from the greater Los Angeles area. The mission of the NLBWA-LA is to encourage Latinas to develop their business and professional skills and to meet their career goals through education, business referrals and networking. Its vision is to create nationwide representation, visibility and business opportunities for Latinas in the business world and at the executive level. For more information about NLBWA-LA visit www.nlbwa-la.org.

"The Help" Special screening/reception

Veronica Corona — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:17:58 GMT

I would like to THANK Disney and Arenas Entertainment for an Amazing experience of a special screening/reception of “The Help” at the LA LIVE movies theatres.

Talk about VIP treatment, amazing event! I invited my first customer , her and I are in a book club and we had read the book several months ago, so what a special treat for us to meet the author of the book Kathyrn Stockett and the director of the movie Tate Taylor. We ate, had free popcorn, watched the movie and received as a gift a copy of the newly released DVD of “The Help” and did I mention that all this was FREE. GREAT Movie, if you haven’t seen it, go buy the DVD.

Oh and of course we will be sharing/showing off to our fellow book club members about our experience.

One of the great advantages of being a member of NLBWA-Los Angeles is to have the opportunity to be invited to events like this and what a fabulous added bonus to be able to entertain my customer! THANK YOU/GRACIAS. NLBWA, DISNEY and ARENAS ENERTAINMENT!

Risk and Insurance Management

Amalia Sanchez — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:27:13 GMT

Saludos to all the Latina Business Owners!

For those that I have yet to personally meet, my name is Amalia Sanchez. I am a Risk Analyst for The Getty Museum. I am also working in provided Risk Management services on a consulting basis. If you are interested in learning more about insurance, coverage, liability, exposures, risk and claim management for your business, feel free to contact me directly (818 203 1637).

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Amalia

NLBWA-LA partnership with the Womens Institute of Negotiation for "One-Day Intensive Latina Negotiaition Seminar".

Germaine Peña — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:06:35 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 09,2011

The Women's Institute of Negotiation in partnership with The National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter Present "ONE-DAY LATINA NEGOTIATION SEMINAR" - a one-day intensive Latina leadership and training - sponsored by Bank of the West.

Los Angeles, Calif., November 9, 2011-The Women's Institute of Negotiation and The National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter (NLBWA-LA) have joined forces with Bank of the West in a strategic partnership to help promote and develop Latinas in the skills and strategies of effective negotiating. “Having experienced a 3-day negotiation seminar with Dr. Yasmin myself, I am excited to offer this program to our members. The Latina Negotiation Boot Camp is a great compliment to our series of business development workshops and will provide further development for our graduates." stated Ana Perez, President of NLBWA-LA. The NLBWA-LA in association with The Women's Institute of Negotiation will provide a one-day intensive leadership and negotiation training which goes beyond exploration of potential barriers that may hold Latinas back and teaches Latinas how to re-frame their interactions and accurately evaluate their opportunities. Latinas learn how to ask for what they want in a manner congruent with their values, taking into account the social forces that may impact their working relationships.

The Women’s Institute of Negotiation, developed by Dr. Yasmin Davidds, is the only institute of its kind, customizing leadership and negotiation programs exclusively for women--from fortune 100 companies, to universities to non-profit organizations.“Quality negotiation training is expensive” states Dr. Yasmin Davidds, "and has historically been categorized as a C-level suite investment. Our corporate sponsors, such as Bank of the West, are making it possible for Latinas to participate in this program by subsidizing 80% of the cost making it affordable for Latina leaders.”
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The one-day intensive seminar concentrates on transforming negotiation behavior for Latinas by eliminating the limiting beliefs associated with negotiating and providing them with a systematic negotiation framework they can adapt to any situation. Patty Covarrubias, Regional Business Development Manager – Hispanic Market, VP for Bank of the West states, “at Bank of the West, among our most important stakeholders are the communities where our customers and employees live and work. We provide not only financial services that speed the flow of commerce and add convenience for individuals, but we also offer the extra help necessary to support Latina organizations and businesses such as The National Latina Business Women Association (Los Angeles Chapter) and the Women's Institute of Negotiation. As one of the fastest growing demographics, Latinas are a force to be reckoned with. I am proud to be associated with this partnership and help so many women achieve professional and personal goals.”

The Latina Negotiation Seminar will take place Friday, December 2nd 8:30 am – 6:00 pm in downtown Los Angeles. For further information or to register please visit www.nlbwa-la.org.

Bank Of The West
For over 135 years Bank of the West has been committed to serving local businesses.

Now we’ve made it even easier for your business to bank with us with limited-time special offers available from October 3 through November 18, 2011. For more information please visit www.bankofthewest.com

Women's Institute of Negotiation
The Women's Institute of Negotiation is the only professional development company in the US specializing in public and private negotiation training exclusively for women. Its curriculum developed by women empowerment and negotiation expert Dr. Yasmin Davidds-consists of 70% experiential hands-on training in real-world negotiations. The institute's mission is to empower women to ask for what they want and provide them with the tools, strategies and techniques to do so effectively. For more information, please visit www.womennegotiationinstitute.com

National Latina Business Women Association-Los Angeles Chapter
The Premier Latina Business Organization! Created and launched in July of 2003 to meet the needs of the growing ranks of Latina Entrepreneurs, Executives and Professionals from the Greater Los Angeles area. The organization's mission is to encourage Latinas to develop their business and professional skills and to meet their career goals through education, business referrals and networking. For more information, please visit www.nlbwa-la.org.

Emerging Latinas 2011 Program Invites New & Aspiring Latina Business Owners

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:06:21 GMT

National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter (NLBWA-LA) hosts its Emerging Latinas 2011 Program

NLBWA-LA to offer free scholarships for its program

ARE YOU COURSE READY?

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:48:13 GMT

Course Ready & Avid players: ‘Course ready’ and avid players range from those who maintain handicaps to those who never keep score. Regardless of skill, course ready players can answer yes to the following.
I practice proper golf etiquette and follow golf cart driving instructions
I maintain a proper pace of play - always
I am familiar with my club distances and when to use them
I am able to advance the ball through consistent contact or play my own way to keep up with the group.
I arrive 30 minutes before my tee time and play with a positive attitude!

ARE YOU COURSE READY?

We invite you to join us for lunch tomorrow Saturday, October 1st at Flemings LA Live to Talk Golf terminology and learn how being on the green can benefit your business.

For more info and to register online go to http://www.nlbwa-la.org/events?eventId=371050&EventViewMode=EventDetails

CAN MINORITIES AND LATINOS AFFORD IT?

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:58:42 GMT

In this recent article, an attempt to breaking stereotypes of the poor-undocumented and unacculturated immigrant. As stated in the article "over 5 million Latino household that make over $110,000 per year. Studies prove African Americans and Latinos spend 47 percent of their income on luxury products. Also, studies prove that adults between the ages of 34-55 spend 67 percent of their tax returns on luxury products. Many people could not afford vacations because of the crisis in America. On the contrary, minorities are somehow able to afford luxury products." Read the full article here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lili-gil/breaking-stereotypes-the-_b_985275.html

What do you think? Share your comments.

NLBWA-LA PARTNERSHIP WITH WNI

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:38:26 GMT

"PREMIER ORGANIZATIONS UNITE TO MAKE A ONE- OF-A- KIND PARTNERSHIP"

The Women Negotiation Institute and The National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter Join Strategic Forces to Develop Latina Entrepreneurs in the Skills and Strategies of Effective Negotiating

Los Angeles, Calif., July 06, 2011 undefined The Women Negotiation Institute and The National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter (NLBWA-LA) have joined forces in a strategic partnership to help promote and develop Latina entrepreneurs in the skills and strategies of effective negotiating. "We are very excited about this new partnership which will increase the wealth of resources for our members. This is a great complement to our existing programs that are all focused on achieving our mission of supporting Latina professionals in helping them achieve all their career and professional goals," stated Ana Perez, President of NLBWA-LA. The NLBWA-LA in association with The Women Negotiation Institute will provide Latina entrepreneurs the tools, strategies and techniques to grow their bottom line by developing versatile negotiating styles that will allow them to nurture business relationships while maximizing value. On July 22, 2011, The Women Negotiation Institute will launch its 3-day Essential Negotiations Training for Women titled "How to Negotiate In A Man's World Without Compromising Your Values" at the University of Southern California with subsequent sessions at UCLA in August and UC Irvine in September. Through the use of videotaped simulations, role-playing exercises, debriefings, individualized coaching and case study discussions, women will learn the systematic process of creating value in collaborative negotiations as well as the strategies needed to counteract the tactics used in competitive negotiations.

Dr. Yasmin Davidds, founder and president of the Women Negotiation Institute, states, "The program concentrates on transforming negotiation behavior for women. It is designed to help women change their limiting beliefs about negotiating, develop their understanding of the negotiation process and provide them with the skills, strategies and techniques to negotiate with confidence." As a Latina Entrepreneur herself, Yasmin Davidds understands the complexities involved in being an entrepreneur, "We are very excited of our partnership with the National Latina Business Women Association-Los Angeles Chapter," Yasmin expresses, "and admire their dedication to the business development of Latina entrepreneurs. Latina-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of small businesses in the US, generating over 44.4 billion in sales nationwide. Latina entrepreneurs are a powerful social and economic force. Yet, in order for Latina Entrepreneurs to rise to the next level, they must understand the etiquette and systematic process to negotiations that is well known to experienced negotiators; many of whom they will be doing business with in the future and can determine the success or failure of a business deal." Yasmin contends learning to negotiate effectively is not a skill one can learn from a book, it needs to be practiced continuously.

That is why The Women Negotiation Institute decided to allocate 70% of its training curriculum to experientially based learning in which women are video-taped role-playing real world negotiations applying the strategies, techniques and tactics they learned. For more information or to register for The Women Negotiation Institute upcoming training seminars please visit www.womennegotiationinstitute.com

National Latina Business Women Association-Los Angeles Chapter
The Premier Latina Business Organization! Created and launched in July of 2003 to meet the needs of the growing ranks of Latina Entrepreneurs, Executives and Professionals from the Greater Los Angeles area. The organization's mission is to encourage Latinas to develop their business and professional skills and to meet their career goals through education, business referrals and networking.

WOMEN NEGOTIATION INSTITUTE
The Women Negotiation Institute is the only professional development company in the US specializing in public and private negotiation training exclusively for women. It�s curriculum-developed by women empowerment and negotiation expert Dr. Yasmin Davidds undefined consists of 70% experiential hands-on training in real-world negotiations. The institute's mission is to empower women to ask for what they want and provide them with the tools, strategies and techniques to do so effectively.

Drive!

Gabrielle Klein-Mejia — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:17:35 GMT

Did you honk your horn in support of Saudi women's right to drive this month? Their cause has really captured my imagination. I once drove 1,000 miles with my baby daughter, my cat, and as much as I could stuff into the car's remaining space to start a new life for us in a town where I knew absolutely no one. There was a real sense of power in knowing that everything we had--my work, our home, our social life--was something I made happen on my own.

Most of us have never experienced such obvious restrictions on our ability to control our lives. This freedom we have is long-fought and recently won, and you know the saying: "With great power comes great responsibility." How are you exercising your power? Where are you holding back? Sure, disparities and double standards still exist, but the only real obstacles we have are the ones we place before ourselves.

I've placed my fair share of road blocks. There's the fear that there's always someone better than me, the fear of rejection, the struggle to balance my various priorities, the negative inner monologue. There are paths that I have not yet blazed. But how would I explain that to a Saudi woman? How could I say, "I can't," to a woman whose government keeps her from driving, voting, or working without a man's permission?

Imagine what you would do if nothing held you back--no fears, no obligations, no social mores--and then take your first step towards that goal. When you get to a road block, take it down. Let's enjoy our power, relish it, flex our muscles, and encourage other women to do the same. Let's get in our cars and drive.

Santa Cecilia Orchestra Presents Mexico Sinf�nico Final Concert of the 2010-2011 Season

Fri, 13 May 2011 20:32:14 GMT

Santa Cecilia Orchestra's Final Concert of the 2010-2011 Season: http://events.linkedin.com/Santa-Cecilia-Orchestra-Presents-M�xico/pub/644754

Santa Cecilia Orchestra will once again celebrate the glory of M�xico by hosting "M�xico Sinf�nico!" that will take place at Thorne Hall at Occidental College, Los Angeles on Sunday May 22 at 4:00 p.m. As the final concert celebration of its 18th season.

Tickets priced at $26, $20 and $7 (youth, 17 and under) are available: http://scorchestra.org/201011orderform.html#May2011

Santa Cecilia Orchestra--the only orchestra in the nation with a specific mission to take classical music to the Latino community! This 100-piece symphony orchestra event will showcase the music of great Mexican composers and with great pride, will pay special tribute to Daniel Cat�n, one of Mexico's greatest composers.

Check out Sonia and her award-winning orchestra, in this month's Latina Style Magazine, by visiting: http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?i=67556

We lost Elizabeth Taylor today. What do you think of when you hear her name?

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:54:49 GMT

Maybe her passionate performances in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe. Or her spellbinding beauty. Perhaps even her many marriages or her curious friendship with Michael Jackson. But I'd like to take inspiration from her example and remember her now as a driven, generous, and take-charge woman.

Taylor found success in films through her looks, but she was not satisfied to be recognized for something so superficial and fleeting. She wanted to earn her accolades through her own efforts and skills. I was struck by this quote: "If you were considered pretty, you might as well have been a waitress trying to act--you were treated with no respect at all." I myself have brushed off compliments for accomplishments which I felt came too easily or by chance. Taylor forged her own path--and, for a time, was paid more than any actress before her.

Although Taylor clearly enjoyed the finer things in life that came with her success, she also showed a desire to care for others. And if caring for others meant forming a research foundation, testifying before Congress, and establishing a philanthropical foundation, then that's just what she did. I love the humility and simplicity of her rationale: “I remember complaining, ‘Why isn’t anybody doing anything? Why isn’t anyone raising money? And it struck me like lightning: ‘Wait a second, I’m not doing anything.’” Honestly--how many problems do I complain about every day? And how many do I actually try to solve?

Elizabeth Taylor listened to her own voice, even when it led her into controversy. What is your voice telling you today? Is there a challenge you need to reach for, even if it means giving up some easy rewards? Have you been waiting for others to solve a problem instead of tackling it yourself? Have you shied away from what you know is right just to avoid controversy? If we listen to our own voices, what's to keep us from becoming a living legend, just like Liz? Although, sometimes, I'd settle for being Liz just long enough to look stunning in a flowy, white dress while making out with Paul Newman...