1.- You may know me as Maria Valenzuela, Health & Wellness Program Director at Esperança, a global health organization. But what you don’t know is that the journey to get me there has been very challenging.This is my story,
My mother and I moved to the United States in 1980, and in 1988 I entered the foster care system. During my stay in foster care, I was placed at a nonprofit organization during a summer youth employment program. During my time at the agency, I was responsible for clerical work and greeting anyone that walked through the doors for services. One hot summer day a mother with three young children walked in. She was distressed, and the children were hot, hungry, and irritable. She didn’t speak English and no one else at the agency spoke Spanish. I asked if I could help her in our native language. She smiled at me and looked relieved that I would be able to communicate with her. That moment was when I fell in love with the purpose of nonprofit work. In 2000, I walked in through the Esperança doors to fulfill a two-year grant contract to provide preventative health education services to one community – all in Spanish, all with our culture in mind. Twenty-two years later, one community has grown to various communities across the state of Arizona (with future to expand into our neighboring states) and a team of one has grown to a team of seven along with a network of passionate volunteers. I truly believe I am fulfilling my life’s mission by providing services that my family never had to the next generation of immigrant, growing healthy and diverse communities.
2.- Who has Influenced your life the most?
I don’t believe that there has been just one person that has influenced me the most. I truly believe that every person that has crossed my path has played an important part in the development of the person I’ve grown to be personally and professionally. However, what I can say is that I have learned and been inspired by women who have had shared experiences and are willing to share their knowledge and time to mentor me and reach out to help me grow.
3.- What are your proudest achievements?
My proudest achievement is becoming the person I have am today. I was a child who grew up with so many odds against me; foster care recipient, being a ward of the state until I graduated from high school, becoming a teenage mother, and navigating the immigration system as a high schooler and young adult. With tenacity, determination, and most of all seeing people who look like me afraid to speak out against the injustices they experience, I was encouraged to be their voice. I had the opportunity to speak at a congressional hearing on these injustices and was able to bring my daughters with me. That was a very proud moment for me; to represent underserved communities and women of color in front of the women I love most.
4.- Who Inspires you?
There are so many that inspire me, it’s difficult to just pick one person. I’m inspired by women whom I can identify with who have shared life experience and have beat the odds. My daughters inspire me to be a better mother and person to them and for the world we live in.
5.- What advice would you give someone pursuing a career in what you do?
Do what you love, love what you do, and the rest will follow. Whatever you do, do not lose sight of the bigger picture despite the challenges that come your way. Challenges and difficult situations will come our way – that’s a part of life – but we will get through it and come out stronger. It’s easier said than done, but with trust in yourself and a strong support system you can make it through anything.
6.- What makes an inspiring woman?
I believe what makes a woman inspiring is her authenticity in her values and how shows up for herself, her community, and her family and for those who are underrepresented for the ones who haven’t found their voice or space. An inspiring woman is one who demonstrates her acts of service and doesn’t boast about it. An inspiring woman is one who leads next to others, one who is willing to do everything correct but when things go wrong, isn’t afraid to recognize it and be vulnerable to learn and keep leading. An inspiring woman is one who doesn’t need patience to do what she loves but does it with PASSION.
7.- Tell us five things no one knows about you
- I attended 17 schools before graduating from high school
- I am one of 9 children
- I know how to drive a standard (stick shift) car
- I make too many craft items for gifts then hesitate to give away because I’m afraid people won’t like them
- I look forward to owning a convertible sports car as I’m getting older!
Inspírame Mujer is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know.
