‘Mi Mamá es una BRAVA Tribute’

Honoring the Legacy of Hispanic-Latina Immigrant Mothers and Their Impact on Raising Successful, Caring Hispanic American Professionals

The emotional connection when sharing stories about our “mamás bravas” is profound, no matter with whom or when. This legacy project was inspired by the loss of my own ‘mamá brava’ and serves as a tribute to the countless immigrant mamás Latinas who have inspired and nurtured a generation of successful and ‘valiente’ Hispanic American professionals. Their life of work ethic, compromise, educational attainment, and entrepreneurial spirit, all while navigating an unknown system and raising a family, illustrates why ‘Mi mamá es una BRAVA.’

These first-person narratives, accompanied by a vintage photo, celebrate the enduring legacy of Hispanic-Latina immigrant mothers, who, through Herculean resilience, unwavering courage, commitment to education, relentless work ethic, and the power of hope and love, have raised incredibly successful Hispanic individuals.

In full disclosure, all the stories featured are inspired by friends whose own mamás were an integral part of my upbringing, to industry professionals who met with me in conference hallways and cried together while reminiscing about our mamás, to colleagues who ‘finally found the appropriate platform’ to share their mamá brava’s story.

For example, Frank Carbajal, Founder and President of Es Tiempo, LLC, shared a touching tribute to his mother’s journey from Mexico to the fields and canneries of California. He says, “My mom arrived from Mexico to work the fields to the canneries of the Imperial Valley, Salinas & the Silicon Valley. On weekends as a kid, she taught me about the entrepreneurial spirit of selling nopales to a Mexican supermarket known as Tropicana on King & Story in East San Jose, California. Feliz Día de Las Madres. Feliz Día de Las Madres. Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day, across Mexico & Latin America, we celebrate you!”

Similarly, Ileana Musa, Head of International Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, reflects on her mother’s mantra, “El No ya lo Tienes,” emphasizing the importance of education and hard work instilled by her mother, Elsa, who fled Cuba for a better life. Elsa’s family shares, “In 1970 she was the only one from her family who was able to leave Cuba with her three young children, all under the age of five; she was not able to return until the 1990s. Throughout that time she worked multiple jobs to support her children while instilling in them a strong work ethic and passion for education. All three children completed a college education and Elsa herself returned to school at almost 70 to complete her degree. Part of her mantra “El No Ya Lo Tienes” inspired her to always ask and take risks that supported her vision for a better life. Similar to the many people who supported Elsa throughout her life, her family is grateful to have the opportunity to pay it forward by supporting students in honor of Elsa’s legacy. The family is excited to see the impact this scholarship will have on the students and their future. They hope that Elsa’s story will inspire them to stay the course, reach new heights and continue to pay it forward.”

Dr. Stephanie Palacios, Leadership Development Consultant & Mindset Coach, shares her admiration for her mother, Norma Luz, who left Colombia for the US, mastering English and inspiring young minds as a teacher. Norma Luz’s family reminisces, “Norma Luz, mi mamá brava, embarked on a journey of courage and love when she left her cherished family and home in Bogota, Colombia to build a new life in the US. Her bold decision was led by adventure and love for the man she would marry. She mastered English as her third fluent language and her nurturing spirit, unwavering support and enthusiasm for learning inspired her 20+yr career as a kindergarten and Spanish teacher, where she helped shape the minds of young children. Forty years later, my parents remain strong, happy and in love! My mom instilled in me a sense of adventure, love for languages, belief in romance and love, and a refusal to allow anything (or anyone) get in the way of the life we dream of living. Norma Luz has a magnetic presence and easily makes friends everywhere she goes! She carries herself with the feminine grace born from another era and a sense of confidence that I have always admired. Her laughter is contagious and plentiful, and her culinary genius is unparalleled. I visit her as often as I possibly can and treasure our time together, because I know how lucky I am to have her as my mom. She is my best friend, my mentor, my guiding light, my inspiration, and my motivation. She is mi mamá brava!”

Throughout the years, I’ve learned how deeply rooted our love for our ‘mamás bravas’ only grows as we age. Words aren’t enough to express their impact on our lives.

“Mi mamá es una BRAVA, hoy y siempre.”

About Author

Gabriela Alcantara-Diaz – Founder and President / Semilla Multicultural, Inc.