Connie Gomez
Texas | Nonprofit Committee Coordinator
I am a Mexican-American born and raised in Texas. My parents are both immigrants and came to this country in the 80’s. As a whole, we have had many set-backs and downfalls. My father was a contract worker and painted houses most of his life, and now owns his own business, doing all types of home rebuilding and remodeling. My mother was a house keeper since I was a baby. Throughout the years she has taken English classes, attempted to take a GED class, and even took a computer class. She has worked on and off, taking some breaks here and there, where she was highly involved with our schools. My mother helped my sister run for school queen in elementary school here in Houston and she won of course, because my mom doesn’t play! My mother always says, if you’re gonna do something you do it right!
My dad and her instilled an education in us, ever since we were young. They wanted something better for us, the American Dream was possible for them, through us. Both my sister and I went on to college and obtained our degrees. I have a degree in psychology with a minor in health, which I have used to work in various fields, including non-profit, government and medical. However, my true passion has come from my hobby: writing, blogging, and like now, sharing my story, attempting to inspire young women who feel it’s hopeless. My accomplishments have been that despite our poor/middle class upbringing, we managed to pull through and obtain our goals.
What have been your struggles as a Latina?
I honestly have had many personal struggles that I feel many women, across all cultures, have experienced. But, over the years I have learned that I haven’t allowed these struggles to stop me. I don’t make as much as my white male counterparts in the workforce; I have been a department Assistant Supervisor, I have had promotions within my jobs and I work hard daily. I do see that I’m not treated the same as most, and to many, I will always be an “assistant” versus a boss. But I work hard to prove them otherwise.
What does Latina Made mean to you?
It’s synonymous to being SELF made. As a Latina, I have overcome and attempted to make my own path! I hope to continue to pave the way for my children, I want to be their example of persistence and resistance!
What made you who you are today?
…the struggles, the mistakes, all the times I have fallen flat on my face and have had to pick myself up and start over! It’s hard. You can get words and advice from others for days, but it’s not until you’ve lived through it that you realize how true and how real others’ words are!
What advice would you give to young Latinas in our community?
Don’t give up. Work hard! Keep going. It’s so cliche and redundant, but it’s true. No matter what happens, keep moving forward. We’ve come such a long way and the struggle is far from over, so we must push through!
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