Latina Conference Draws Many, Inspires All

September 10, 2003

By Ursula Castrillon, staff writer

	Latina Girl Scouts get acquainted at the Third Annual Latina Conference in Illinois.
	Herencia Mexicana flew in from Mexico especially to perform at the Girl Scout Latina Conference.
	Girl Scouts, volunteers, and family members dance to the rhythms of Celia Cruz as part of the Music and Dance tour.
	National Board Girl Scout member Dr. Norma Barquet speaks to young Latinas about success.
	Back of the Yards folklore dance group performs traditional Latin American dances.

The Third Annual Latina Conference in Oakbrook, Illinois, drew Girl Scouts from as far away as California and Mexico. Sponsored by McDonald's, AeroMexico, Unilever, and others, the event drew hundreds of girls and adults ready to enjoy the sites of Chicago while exploring what it means to grow up Latina in the U.S.

At the conference kick-off, prominent Latinas from government and the corporate world shared their personal success stories with the enthused Girl Scouts, who were accompanied by their mothers, aunts, cousins, and friends.

Event Kick-Off Proves Festive

Festivities at the opening included entertainment by Herencia Mexicana. The popular Mexican group, made up of the sons and daughters of Mexican legendary musicians like Lola Beltran and Pedro Infante, inspired cheers. As performers belted out traditional songs, Girl Scouts and their families swayed and clapped to the pulsating music.

Girls gathered around Cynthia B. Thompson, Chair of Girl Scouts of the USA's National Board of Directors, before her keynote speech. Thompson gave each girl a National President patch before speaking to the crowd about the importance of embracing diversity. The Latina Conference, Thompson said, is "a major contribution to the Girl Scout Movement."

Education Takes Center Stage

Syddia Lee-Chee, Marketing Director of The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans played a prominent role in the conference. She spoke about how parents can support their kids through years of schooling and invited girls to ask questions. Lee-Chee gave candid responses to questions about her teen years and growing up in Panama.

Girls Focus on the Future

While exploring topics like forming healthy relationships and detecting abusive ones, finding success, attaining one's cultural identity, and learning how to take steps now to reach a goal later, young Girl Scouts focused throughout the conference on one thing—themselves, and how these issues affect their lives. In sessions like uniquely ME!, they learned how to strengthen their self-esteem and make positive decisions.

Family members, community leaders, and Girl Scout volunteers participated in workshops like "Today's Teen: Growing up Female and Latina". They learned about pressures facing Latinas as they move forward into adulthood—and ways to help.

Girl Scouts new to the Chicago area explored the city. Some chose sports activities like wall climbing; others viewed art murals on a walking tour and visited the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum. On the Music and Dance tour, Girl Scouts played instruments at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and learned Latin music moves at a music studio.

Prominent Latinas Inspire Girls Scouts

Girl Scouts met prominent Latinas, including Clarisol Duque from Senator Richard Durbin's office (D-IL) and Leticia Herrera from the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Girl Scout National Board members Patricia Diaz Dennis and Dr. Norma Barquet were also on hand, urging girls to dream big.

Dr. Barquet summed it up by saying, "Being Latinas gives us roots, but being Girl Scouts gives us wings! And, from what I can see, your wings are taking you in some exciting new directions."

A musical finale closed the third annual Latina Conference. As soon as a Chicago folklore dance group called Back of the Yards began, the crowd jumped to their feet and clapped along to the traditional music and colorful dances.

The Latina Conference is steadily growing and hundreds more are expected next year. For more information on the Latina Conference, read the news release.