Latinitas Magazine Launches National Writing Contest for LatinaTeens
Top Winners Published in Teen Latinitas First Print Issue
Posted on October 29, 2007
Austin, Texas – Following a reverse trend in publishing, the first digital magazines made for and by Latina youth, Latinitas and Teen Latinitas magazines (www.latinitasmagazine.org) are augmenting its successful online publications with the print launch Teen Latinitas for in early 2008.
To gather “voces authenticas” (authentic voices) from all over the United States, the magazine is launching the Latinitas Magazine National Writing Contest seeking feedback from Latina youth ages 14 to 21 on “What it is to be Latina,” awarding winners by publishing their articles in the premiere and consequent issues of the publication.
Media tends to either neglect or misrepresent Latina identity, crystallizing her monolithically in over-sexualized images or excessive portrayals of servitude. ABC’s “Ugly Betty” aside, much of mainstream media depicts Latinas as uneducated gangster “cholas” or maids. According to media watchdog Children Now, negative media portrayals of youth have been associated with damaging consequences on body image and self-esteem among children and teens particularly among girls who often find themselves marginalized from media.
Contest Criteria: Contestants should be females of Hispanic descent between the ages of 14 and 21. Submissions should be at least 800-1000 words in first person or Associated Press style on the following subjects: What is it like to be a Hispanic/Latina female in your hometown? What does it mean to be a Hispanic/Latina female to you? As a Hispanic/Latina female are you doing something in your community to make a difference, if so what?
“Latinas come from the barrios and the burbs. We are hoping to hear from Hispanic young women who represent the large diaspora that is being Latina,” explains Alicia Rascon, Latinitas co-founder. “I was born in Mexico , but you have other Latinas in the United States who may have never seen their family’s country of origin – yet they practice the culture and traditions of that place. Latinitas are a diverse group and we want to hear their voices. Those are the stories we are excited to read.”
The U.S. Census reports that by 2025, one in every five teens will be Latino. Clearly, what goes on among Latina teens not only affects the Latino community, but also has an extraordinary impact on the nation, as a whole.
Latinitas invites Latina teens to submit their work online or download our registration form to submit via email to latinitasawards@yahoo.com and by mail to PO Box 4284, Austin, TX 78765. The selected submissions will be featured on the website and in a print publication.
Entries must be submitted by January 1, 2008.
LOCAL GIRLS STAR IN REALITY SHOW & CREATE OWN MEDIA
Posted on July 10, 2007
This summer from July 16-August 10th, local girls have an opportunity to get a taste of what their life could be like as a reality show star, a news anchor, a photographer, a radio dj, a movie director, a magazine writer, a poet, a graphic designer and more in Latinitas’ inaugural Media Divas Summer Camp hosted at the newly built Mexican American Cultural Center. Through this intense 2-week-long day camp program, girls in grades 4-8th can find their creative expression outlet by producing original media arts projects.
Each day, girls will create at least two original media arts projects. Together with a host of inspiring guest speakers who are accomplished professional media-makers, Latinitas gives Austin girls a series of multimedia arts and life-skills workshops where they will discover practical and creative solutions to the most important of everyday challenges. Throughout the camp, girls will have an opportunity to star in and produce their own reality show about their camp experience.
“We want to offer mentors and hands-on experiences for young girls so they can develop a vision of what their career could be like,” said Alicia Rascon, Latinitas Co-Founder and Camp Coordinator . “There are not enough Latina voice in media today. It is important for news organizations to better reach, reflect and serve the growing Hispanic population in our country. We are showing young Latinas that they can be the voice of their community. One of the main purposes of the camp is to demystify what a career in media is all about and to encourage the next generation of media makers. We hope to open the minds of our campers and show them opportunities they just haven’t been exposed to before.”
Camp Latinitas is led by a team of women educators, role models and mentors experienced in guiding girls in hands-on lessons, interactive presentations, team challenges, and fun games that address girl issues and encourage self-esteem, expression, confidence and empowerment. Through media enrichment lessons, girls will explore themes such as cultural pride, conflict resolution, body image, self-esteem, career opportunities, wellness, eating disorders, media awareness, peer pressure, bullying, resiliency to at-risk behaviors and girl empowerment.
"Our work with girls have taught us over the years that when girls are given the chance to work on these types of projects and meet women role models in successful careers, they begin to see the possibilities in a very different light," added Laura Donnelly, Latinitas Co-Founder. “Our camp helps girls express themselves and sparks their inner passion for a future career they never imagined. If they can see their future, they can realize their future.”
Each camp session is two weeks long. This summer of sisterhood, creativity and fun takes place at the new Mexican American Cultural Center located at 600 River Street , Austin , TX 78701 . Camps run Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Session 1 runs July 16-July 27 and Session 2 takes place July 30-August 10. Latinitas is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Latina youth through media and technology. Latinitas publishes a bilingual webzine by and for Hispanic girls and hosts media enrichment programs to promote self-expression among girls. To register or for more information, contact MACC at 478.6222 or latinitascamp@ yahoo.com.
CHARITY PHOTO AUCTION BENEFITS NONPROFIT FOR LATINA GIRLS
Fotos de Mi Alma Calls for Photo Donations
Posted on April 30, 2007
Latinitas calls on photography hobbyists to professionals to donate “Latino-themed” photography for their Fotos De Mi Alma photo auction taking place on May 2nd from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Copa Bar and Grill on Congress Avenue. The event will feature a photography silent auction, live entertainment and raffle benefiting empowerment programs for Latina youth.
“Latino-themed photography includes any images from abstract to literal reflections of Latino life,” said event organizer and Latinitas volunteer Sarah Garza.
Latinitas (www.latinitasmagazine.org) is a bilingual non-profit publication with outreach programs dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Latina youth through media and technology. Donation deadline is April 27th. Latinitas encourages framed donations, but they are not necessary.
“This event engages the community’s creativity, as well as that of the youth who contribute photo pieces from our outreach programming.” said Garza.
Latinitas vision is that all young Latinas are strong and confident in their own image. Started over four years ago to counter the lack of representation and positive media portrayals of Latina youth in media, Latinitas has grown readership from thousands to ten-thousands per month in a short period.
Latinitas magazines are written by and for Latina youth through the vehicle of after-school programming on six A.I.S.D. school campuses. Students at Fulmore, Martin, Webb and Pearce Middle Schools and Blackshear Elementary engage in hands-on media activities that produce articles and other content for Latinitas magazines for girls ages 9 to 14. Latinitas program at Travis High School produces content for Teen Latinitas, Latinitas sister version for girls 14 and older.
In addition to the monthly publication of two bilingual magazines for Latina youth and after school programming, Latinitas provides free media workshops at the St. John’s branch of Austin’s Public Library monthly, makes community presentations, hosts summer camps, and provides a college intern program. For details, contact Laura Donnelly at (512) 809-4618 or laura@prbythebook.com.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR DÍA DE LAS MADRES ESSAY & ART CONTEST
Posted on March 05, 2007
Austin, TX – In honor of Mother's Day, Latinitas encourages girls to express their most sincere feelings about what their mother means to them. Latinitas, a non-profit online magazine dedicated to empowering Hispanic girls, is accepting essay and art submissions from girls in grades 4th-12th for their annual contest. By entering the Latinitas Día de las Madres (Mother’s Day) contest, local Hispanic girls can let their mom know just how important she is, get published in a nationally acclaimed website, and enter to win a prize.
The Día de las Madres essay & art contest is focused on inspiring Hispanic girls in middle and high school to write essays commending their mothers for their love and to create artwork capturing the inspiration their mothers give their families all year long. The top winners receive prizes and will be featured in LatinitasMagazine.com.
“We all have things we’ve always wanted to tell our mothers – or someone who has been “just like a mom” in our life– and this contest invites girls to share those feelings through writing and art,” said Laura Donnelly, co-founder of Latinitas.
“We created the Día de las Madres contest to give people a meaningful way to share their own words of admiration about their Mami,” added Alicia Rascon, founder of Latinitas.
Latinitas invites visitors to submit their work online, via email to latinitasawards@yahoo.com or by mail to PO Box 4284, Austin, TX 78765. Latinitas will be selecting one winner in each category. The selected submissions will be featured on the website and recognized in a Mother's Day reception. And, each of the winners will receive a prize to share with their mom.
Entries must be submitted by April 27, 2007. Winners will be announced online just in time for Mother’s Day.
LOCAL RESTAURANT SUPPORTS YOUNGER HERMANITAS
Posted on February 13, 2007
Austin, TX-Café Mangú Caribbean Bistro will host a benefit dinner on February 18, 2007 to raise funds and awareness for Latinitas, an Austin-based nonprofit organization and magazine focused on empowering young Latinas through media and technology. The event will take place starting at 6 p.m. and 10% of the proceeds from the evening festivities will support media enrichment programs for local girls. The benefit will feature delicious authentic
Caribbean fare that blends the best of Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican and Island cuisine. Admission to the event is free and the public is invited to delight in the excellent food, large portions, friendly staff, tempting bar and authentic atmosphere.
"Latinitas is dedicated to guiding Latina youth to become successful with the help of good mentors and media and technology tools,” said Laura Donnelly, Co-founder of Latinitas. “We are honored by this special partnership, which allows community supporters to promote Latina girl power while enjoying savory Caribbean flavors.”
During the event, Latinitas volunteers will be available to answer questions about the organization, and donations of school supplies will be accepted on behalf of Latinitas. The funds raised from the benefit will provide scholarships for young Latinas to participate in Latinitas’ media after-school programs for free.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate this very unique organization that has played a critical role in the lives of thousands of Central Texas Latinitas over the last five years,” said Federico Subervi, Chair of the Latinitas’ Board Directors. ”As a proud supporter, I urge our Latino community to support local girls with the warmth of a great meal among friends at Café Mangú."
ABOUT CAFÉ MANGÚ
Café Mangú is Austin’s premiere Caribbean Latin food restaurant. Founded in 2005 by Alex Fernandez and Rafael Montes de Oca, Café Mangú serves the best Austin has to offer in Dominican, Puerto Rican and Cuban food.
LATINITAS & THE AUSTIN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM TEAM UP TO SHOWCASE PHOTOGRAPHY BY YOUTH ARTISTS
Posted on February 01, 2007
Austin, TX - This January and February, Latinitas will partner with the Austin Children’s Museum to celebrate Hispanic culture in a special “A Través De Su Mirada / Through Her Eyes” exhibition. The exhibit is designed to showcase the artwork of Austin residents ages 11 to 18 from Latinitas after-school clubs, a local youth program that uses media education to empower Latina youth. “A Través De Su Mirada” presents a vibrant, expressive and fascinating portrait of the Latina community in Austin as depicted by youth photographers from Blackshear Elementary, Martin Middle, Fulmore Middle, Pearce Middle, Webb Middle, and Travis High Schools.
“The goal of the exhibit is to provide a forum for self-expression and give youth a voice,” says Laura Donnelly, Latinitas co-founder and after-school program coordinator. “Another aim of the exhibit is to encourage viewers to look for commonalities between the experiences shown in the photographs and their own lives in an effort to develop cultural awareness and understanding.”
Last fall, the students were given digital photography equipment and instruction on how to use cameras to document their personal impressions of Latina life in Austin. The youth met once a week to master multi-media expression through writing, graphic design, photography, web design, radio production, and filmmaking skills. After two months of picture taking, meetings and vibrant discussions, the resulting photos strikingly depict the people, places and events that make up their neighborhoods.
“The girls took hundreds of photos and helped us narrow down the selection to create an image-rich mosaic that will leave an imprint on the minds and heart of viewers,” says Alicia Rascon, co-founder of Latinitas and a staff member at the Austin Children's Museum. “Through the camera lens, the young photographers captured the Latino essence and revealed their unique perspectives and dreams.”
The exhibit will be featured in the Community Gallery from January 16th through February 26th. The Museum is hosting an opening celebration at the Museum on Wednesday, February 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. when special activities and live entertainment have been scheduled throughout the evening as tribute to Latino culture. Several youth artists will be available to discuss their work. The exhibit is open to the public and covered by Museum admission fees.
ABOUT THE AUSTIN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: The mission of Austin Children's Museum is to inspire young children and the adults in their lives to experience the joy of learning through the power of constructive play. Located at the Dell Discovery Center downtown at the corner of 2nd Street and Colorado, the Austin Children's Museum is one of the city’s popular cultural attractions with 200,000 visitors annually. The Austin Children's Museum is a non-profit 501c3 organization. For more information visit www.austinkids.org.
