How I found My Joy, Again!
This issue took a moment to publish. The disconnect
PUBISHERR'S NOTES
Business Development Events
stemmed from contemplating what the right time was to publish, and if it was safe enough? Then I told myself, “Linda.. it’s time to glue, stomp, and tattoo”, SO HERE WE GO!
This issue commemorates our fifth year of celebrating and empowering women and working towards closing the gap of resources for both women and minority owned businesses.
In 2016, I was determined to find a space for women and businesses to have a voice. From creating awareness and visibility to educating our women businesses through the lens of equity and empowerment.
2018, was the year I turned my hobby into a business with projections to go fully non-profit in mid 2020 to roll out business services in an incubator space thus combining efforts to support with the State of Illinois to open a Women & Minority Business Center.
In 2019,
Northwestern University, Hagerty Consulting, and Heart Automotive sponsored the 'Empowering Women’s Conference' in support of the Illinois office of the SBA, women owned businesses and experts in our community.
Then COVID hit… the reality of opening
EWM Business Center became more and more unlikely to happen.
After becoming the second Hispanic member of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. I have realized you can only get out from any organization what you put in it.
What never crossed my professional scope, was
how my privilege as a white passing Latina would allow me to gain resources until I’m the minority in the room. During my membership I learned about the impact of nepotism, racism, and found myself in rooms where I was the only minority woman. I began to ask myself deeper questions; “why did God allow me to move to Evanston? Why do I care so damn much about a community I had no residual ties to, and finally.. if this is my reality, how can I be of service?
18 | EVANSTONWOMAN.COM
Shira Piven, (Actress), Linda Del Bosque, (Publisher) Brianna Riza (Linda's Daughter)
