Speaker discusses roles of Latina women

Rosemont College President Ofelia Garcia discussed Latina women's role in education, and the challenges they face, during the keynote lecture for Latino Awareness Week. The speech, given Wednesday night in Houston Hall, was the highlight of a week of activities aimed at increasing awareness and education about Latinos. A key problem faced by Latina women, Garcia said, is the lack of Latina mentors in the academic arena. She said education is one of the few outlets where women can challenge the views, ideas, values and rhetoric of other people. Garcia said she sympathizes with Latina women and the many constraints that inhibit them in the educational world. She described her own education as untraditional, but said she treasures the many tools she gained from her experience. Her education gave her something that no one could ever take away from her, she said, and instilled in her the confidence she needed when challenged. As a result, she said, she encourages Latina women to make the most of their education and use their difference as a unique quality in enhancing the academic climate of the University. Christina Cordero, a Wharton junior and co-chairperson of this week's festivities, said Garcia exemplifies the week's focus on education. College sophomore Diana Flores said she attended the lecture because she was interested in learning about the contributions of Latina women. "Usually people focus on the problems of Latinas. This was an opportunity to see the good things," Flores said. "Garcia's visit touched on very important issues dealing with Latina woman in higher education, and spotlighted the third annual Latino awareness week," said Liz Melendez, president of Senoritas Latina Unidas Sorority, which co-sponsored the event.