Thank You Sonia!

It is an exciting time to be a Woman, Latina, Mother and Entrepreneur.  With the nomination and confirmation of our first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, new pathways and now highways are being paved for the next generation.  There is still prejudice and injustice, but today we have access to more powerful tools to combat them.  Our solutions are only limited by our imaginations.

The Internet, and specifically social media sites and tools, are defining the new economy and our future success.  We can lead the call, as we are a growing economic superpower.  Research from the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia shows, “In sheer dollar power, Hispanics’ economic clout will rise from $212 billion in 1990, to $490 billion in 2000, to $951 billion in 2008, and to almost $1.4 trillion in 2013.”  The Multicultural Economy 2008.

Teaching our communities the power of the Internet to promote their businesses, and non-profit organizations while creating powerful intellectual networks with colleagues, investors, and constituents is vitally important.  Our economic independence and prosperity depends on it.

We have all witnessed the power of the Internet during the last presidential campaign and in bringing awareness to important environmental and charitable causes.  As an educational tool it is limitless.  With adult monitoring and supervision, we can help our children navigate responsibly, share ideas and engage with their peers in a productive way.  Social media used maturely, is a great tool to challenge negative stereotypes and perceptions by showcasing our intellect, personality, and spirit.

Whether you agree or disagree with Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, you cannot deny its significance to America’s history and its positive impact to the greater American Latino community.

Cited: The Multicultural Economy 2008, http://www.terry.uga.edu/selig/docs/buying_power_2008.pdf