Pino: Why Latinas are central to America’s success

As Latinas we have the great privilege of living in a country where freedom and opportunity make it achievable to thrive With that privilege comes a responsibility to carry forward our shared legacy and protect America s founding principles of freedom As we prepare to celebrate years of American independence in this truth feels even more urgent More than million Latinos now call the United States home By mid-century Latinos are projected to make up almost one-third of the U S workforce Latinas specifically are now the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States outpacing their non-Hispanic counterparts This rise makes celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month more than symbolic It is a reminder that the American promise of freedom dignity and opportunity must continue to be preserved and expanded so the next generation of Latinas can dream bigger build stronger and serve proudly Latinas have been present since the earliest chapters of our national story In the th century women across the Southwest sustained families and communities through immense change managing ranches farms and households and playing critical roles in maintaining locality life and cultural traditions as the United States expanded In modern times Latinas have broken fences in politics business guidance and the arts From the electoral contest of the first Latina in Congress to a historic seat on the Supreme Court or pioneering spaceflight Latinas have helped redefine what American leadership looks like Largest part contributions happen quietly every day in classrooms clinics small businesses and homes To keep advancing the American Dream we need policies that work for everyone For multiple families coaching is the bridge to opportunity This is why tuition choice is vital Surveys show Hispanic parents overwhelmingly encouragement it We must also defend Title IX and women s spaces protections that opened doors for generations of women including Latinas in sports and teaching Preserving fairness in women s sports and safeguarding privacy in women s facilities ensures that the next generation of Latina students can pursue their dreams safely on a level playing field Economic freedom matters too Latinas are natural entrepreneurs but we face obstacles when outdated policies restrict flexibility and advance in the workplace Protecting the right to independent work whether freelancing contracting or gig work empowers women to balance careers with family responsibilities Latinas often carry professional ambitions alongside caregiving responsibilities constituting of all care providers in the country and independent work allows them to pursue both Latinas are keenly aware of the urgent need for affordable accessible in-home care Yet outdated federal regulations specifically the Home Care Rule have made it more complex and expensive for seniors to get the care they need at home The Department of Labor proposed reforms to ease these burdens but more must be done to ensure families can care for aging parents with dignity These are not Latina issues They are American issues shared challenges that call for shared solutions When we defend parental choice fairness for women flexible work and affordable care we strengthen the foundations of freedom that benefit everyone As voters and civic leaders Latinas are a growing force They often guide household decisions shape district outcomes and their voices are increasingly decisive in elections Listening to Latinas is not about spotlighting one group it is about understanding America Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Latinas past and present but it must also remind us that this story is still unfolding The legacy of Latinas has never been about standing apart it has invariably been about standing together shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans because when Latinas succeed America succeeds Judy Pino is a representative for the Independent Women s Forum and The LIBRE Initiative InsideSources U S Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks as she attends an opening ceremony of the Yonkers Inhabitants School District's new Justice Sonia Sotomayor Society School last year in New York AP Photo Eduardo Munoz Alvarez