A Bridge Between Cultures: Women's History Month Edition

Message from Our CEO, Veronica Cool

Colegas,

March brings Women's History Month! As a Latina, mother, and business owner, I celebrate the essential contributions made by women in every facet of our lives, from the workplace, community, and in our homes.

This year's theme: "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced," is appropriate in light of the momentous election of the first woman Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, the record number of women serving in the 117th congress, and elected officials across local and regional governments. Exemplary of the role women take, as spokespeople and representatives not just for their families but their communities. I am filled with hope seeing this tremendous progress.

Girls and boys of today know that a woman, especially a woman of color, can hold one of the highest offices of the land. This is a fact, not a wish, and the ripple effect will be felt for generations to come; after all, you can't be what you can't see.

In addition to commemorating Women's History Month, 2021 is in full swing for the Cool team. We are excited to be working on some impactful outreach campaigns to dispel COVID vaccine myths, while hosting educational events to empower Hispanic entrepreneurs and homeownership. Thank you for your continued trust to not just engage but empower Hispanics to become your next customer, student, or employee. The future is bright!

Till next time,

Veronica Cool

CEO & Hispanic Strategist

Highlights & Announcements

Maryland Latinos Unidos Welcomes First Slate of Officers

On February 1, Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU) elected its first slate of officers. The organization was launched in October 2020 as a statewide network of organizations, businesses, and individuals who support Latino and immigrant communities. They are working within and with the Latino/Hispanic community in Maryland by supporting Latino-serving nonprofits, convening around public policy priorities, and working together for a common cause.

Congratulations to the elected officers:

Chair: Veronica Cool, CEO, Cool & Associates LLC
Vice-Chair: Luis Gutierrez, President & CEO at Dream Management, Inc.
Secretary: Joe Morales, Esq., Managing Attorney of The Morales Law Firm.
Treasurer: Alberto Grosmark

“As community leaders, we felt compelled to respond to this state of emergency, which is why we quickly stood up Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU). Our collective goal is to shine a bright light on community needs but also on the value of Latinos’ and immigrant contributions to Maryland. In so doing, we ensure that Latinos have the representation they require across the state to not only address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the community, but the historical gaps in the systems that are meant to support them for the well-being of not only Latinos but the entire state economically and socially.”

-Veronica Cool, Co-founder and newly elected Chair of MLU.

¡Viva Baltimore! Brings Latinos Closer to Their Dreams of Homeownership

We were honored to partner with Southeast CDC in hosting a FREE virtual event accompanied by a start-cast panel of homeownership experts to guide Latinos on how to purchase a home in Baltimore City.

View the recorded session here.

SRS & IKO Roofing: Contratistas Exitosos

Language matters as well as providing capacity-building resources. We are thrilled to have partnered with SRS and IKO Roofing to bring forth this Spanish webinar to showcase Luis Echeverria, a Latino contractor that has found success despite the pandemic! Catch the replay by following this link.

Celebrating Women's History Month

In order from left to right: Yolanda Maria Martinez, Philanthropist & Entrepreneur; Dr. Gabriela Lemus, Executive Director, MD Latinos Unidos; Dra. Claudia Campos, Latinas USA; Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk, State Delegate; Sally Bartas, Stanley Black Decker; Maria Pilar Rodriguez, Executive Director, MD Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Blanca Kling, RIP, Hispanic Liaison, Montgomery County Police; Catalina Rodriguez Lima, Director, Mayor’s Office Immigrant Affairs; Cesiah Fuentes, Executive Director, MD Latino Legislative Caucus; Monica Guerrero Vazquez, Executive Director, Centro SOL; Walkiria Pool, Executive Director, Centro de Apoyo Familiar; Angela Franco, President & CEO at DC Chamber of Commerce.

Facts & Important Dates

March 1 to 31: Women’s History Month

March 8: International Women’s Day

March 19: Father’s Day in Bolivia, Honduras, and Spain

March 22:- Emancipation Day (Puerto Rico)

March 31: César Chávez Holiday

March 28: Palm Sunday, beginning of Holy Week

Partners & Resources

We are pleased to share some useful resources and connect you to these partners in an effort to continue to bridge the gap in engaging and empowering our communities.

MD Latinos Unidos - A newly formed organization to serve and empower Hispanic grassroots organizations.

MLLC Latinx Youth Day - Cool proudly partnered with MLLC to educate and empower our emerging Latinos Leaders. Check out Veronica Cools' Financial Literacy presentation-in Spanglish too!

Yo Quiero Trabajo Facebook Group: Spanish resource for Spanish-speaking individuals focused on workforce opportunities and development.

ALPFA Commemorates Black History Month Through “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.” The month-long campaign showcased African-American talent throughout history and in our communities.

We are proud to serve as part of ALPFA and celebrate our Black Allies and Afro-Latino members year-round.

Check out the incredible talents highlighted!

MedStar Health is recruiting patients and requesting daily updates on symptoms and activities of COVID-19 via email.

The information will be used to learn how the virus behaves in our region, who has it, disease hot spots, who has received the vaccine, and determine whether prevention strategies are working, follow this link to participate:

MedStar Survey

Get Ready for Hispanic Heritage Month!