Latinas y Que program at Girls Inc. of Alameda County

Through the Latinas y Que program at Girls Inc. of Alameda County, four daughters of immigrants learned that education can open doors and minds ' even within their own family.

The Perez Family of Alameda County is typical of a new generation of Americans balancing old cultures with new, while seeking to put down roots in ways that will allow them to thrive and to excel in their adopted country.

Zulma Perez was the first member of her family to go to Girls Inc. ' a privilege she gained only after her father, Elias, was persuaded by a Girls Inc. counselor that Zulma's after-school experience would be a positive one.

'He's very old school,' says Zulma about her father, a native of Oaxaca, Mexico. 'And he was always very strict. My sisters and I had to come straight home from school every day, and we weren't allowed to have jobs or drive a car. It could be very frustrating.'

Things changed when Zulma introduced her parents to Marta Reynoso, coordinator of the Latinas y Que program at Girls Inc. of Alameda County. She assured Elias that Zulma would benefit from the weekly leadership development program designed specifically for girls from San Leandro's large population of Mexican and Central American immigrants. He relented, and Zulma began to attend when she was 13.

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'Latinas y Que is one of the reasons I decided to apply to Berkeley, even though science was always a tough subject for me.'
-- Zulma Perez

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Zulma took full advantage of every opportunity at Girls Inc., including the Eureka! Teen Achievement Program, where she gained confidence in math, science, technology and sports, and programs on violence prevention, fitness, and community leadership. But it was Latinas y Que that had the greatest impact.

'Latinas y Que was a place where I could connect with other Latinas my age and look ahead to my future,' she remembers. 'It was a place where we could be proud of our culture, and where we could set goals for college, careers, and roles we could play in our communities. Latinas y Que is one of the reasons I decided to apply to Berkeley, even though science was always a tough subject for me. Like everything at Girls Inc., it helped me realize that hard things aren't bad things, and that it pays to set ambitious goals.'

Zulma's experience at Girls Inc. encouraged her sister, Yaniris, to follow her two years later. It also began to create changes in their family.

'I was growing at Girls Inc., and being exposed to different ways than my parents were used to. I'd talk with my friends and my counselors about domestic violence, discrimination, equal opportunity and other issues, and then come home and tell these things to my sisters and family. My mother was especially influenced by what I was learning. To her, it was natural to let my father make all of the decisions. But slowly, she began to assert herself, to stand on her own two feet. It was a good thing for both of them.'

Zulma's parents joined a Girls Inc. program called Padres Unidos, a support and advocacy group for Latino parents of students at San Leandro High School. The group helped them become informed about issues related to their community and facilitated information sessions that encouraged them to serve as strong advocates for their children's educational advancement.

After five years at Girls Inc. of Alameda County, Zulma's leadership at Girls Inc. and her successes as a high school student won her a $10,000 Girls Inc. scholarship, which she used to enter Berkeley, where she earned a degree in environmental molecular biology. She is now in the process of applying to medical school.

Yaniris's hard work and commitment won her a Girls Inc. National Scholarship of her own. Their twin sisters Angelica and Beatrice, both 16, won scholarships from Girls Inc. of Alameda County to attend an all-girls high school in San Leandro. The cycle of learning a positive growth continues.

'You could say we're a Girls Inc. family,' says Zulma. 'I look forward to sending my own daughters there one day.'

Learn More!
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The Latina Initiative: Resources for Girls
The Latina Initiative: Resources for Adults

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