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Latinita point of view

Wanna know what the young and Latina are thinking? Check out the digital Latinitas Magazine Web site at www.latinitasmagazine.org The Net ’zine was founded 5 years ago in Austin, Texas to empower young Latinas and shatter negative media stereotypes, says Alicia Rascon, Latinitas co-founder. The publication just ended its search for stories from Latinitas 14–24 with the theme, “What it is to be Latina.” The stories will be published on the Web site.

“Latinas come from the barrios and the burbs. We are hoping to hear from Hispanic young women who represent the multiple facets of what it means to be a young Latina in this country,” explains Rascon.

Founders Rascon, of El Paso, Texas and Laura Donnelly, of New York City, started Latinitas as a non-profit bilingual magazine with girl empowerment outreach programs as a project assignment in a class at the University of Texas at Austin in 2002, with one writer, one translator and no Web skills. Now reaching over 30,000 readers per month, Latinitas is growing and has initiated multiple programs for girls to submit writing, poetry and art throughout the year. Sections like “Real Life” and “Mi Barrio,” encourage girls to share stories that reflect Latina life all over the country, while others such as “Latinitas Superstar” and “Role Model” spotlight real girls and women achieving success.