On Sept. 8 and 9, LATINA Style hosted the second annual National LATINA Symposium, a unique event specially designed to bring together Hispanic women from all arenas—including business, politics, education, and the military—to ascertain, through round-table and panel discussions, the status of the Latina working woman in the United States.

The Symposium kicked off with an evening welcoming reception on Sept. 8 aboard the the Spirit of Washington cruise ship. The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of LATINA Style’s first credit card, created in a collaboration with U.S. Bank.

“The Power of Sharing: Corporate and Public Service” panel

USHCC’s CiCi Rojas, ECI Inc.’s Leticia Herrera, and DaimlerChrysler’s Michelle Cook

CitiGroup’s Jill Kelly, Rebecca Vargas, and Keith Wright

On Sept. 9, “The Power of Many” was the opening event, which paid tribute to three important sectors—national Hispanic organizations, the media, and Congress—that work together to advance the important issues concerning Latinas today.

After breakfast, attendees moved on to the first round of workshops, themed “The Power of Self-Sufficiency,” with the choice of attending either a financial or a health panel. In the “Latinas & Health” panel, panelists discussed how to strike a healthy balance between career, family, personal life and civic participation, with an emphasis on stress management and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Marisa Rivera Albert. NHLI

Conference participants at the White House reception

Marisa Rivera-Albert, Telemundo’s Julissa Marenco, and Congresswoman Napolitano

Edie Fraser, president and CEO of the Public Affairs Group Inc., moderated the “Power of Financial Freedom” panel, which aimed to empower attendees with the financial tools necessary for long-term financial security. “Sometimes we don’t understand how many free resources are at hand,” said Fraser. The second round of panels, under the theme “The Power of Sharing,” offered a choice between an entrepreneurs panel and a corporate and public service panel. “The Power of Sharing Success Stories,” was an inspirational discussion by several successful Latina entrepreneurs of how they turned their passion into dollars, overcoming obstacles along the way. “You are in the driver’s seat,” said Herrera. “Don’t ever give it up to anyone else.”

Luncheon keynote speaker Maria Marín

Department of Defense’s Clarence A. Johnson

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano

Clear Channel’s Helen Cavazos with Rick Bela

Wal-Mart’s Belinda Garza

Optimum Management Services Inc.’s Monica A. Pleiman