“Gamma” Gold Chain Necklace: Divine Creations Clothing Company
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COVER MODEL: JOI LATSON GAMMA CHAPTER
04 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Learn more about our Digital Marketing and Publication Specialist at HQ 05 MEET THE EDITORIAL BOARD Get to know the creative team behind La Mensajera 06 TOP 5 TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF CONVENTION Quick tips for a fun and productive visit to the motherland 07 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Discover new ways for you and your entity to support the the AHA 08 SXSTER SPOTLIGHTS Eight sxsters on how their identities have impacted them as Womxn of Distinction 12 CREATIVE SUBMISSIONS Poetry 14 WOMXN WHO: LEAD Q&A with sxsters running for political office throughout the nation 22 IN THE NEXT ISSUE What’s to come in La Mensajera
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Letter from the Editor & Meet the editorial board Hey Gammas, It is with great honor that we present the revival of La Mensajera. I feel honored to have been given the ability to bring back a magazine near and dear to the hearts of many sisters. As I began my role as the new Digital Marketing and Publication Specialist with the headquarters staff this past September, La Mensajera was one of the first things added to my list. I was a bit wary and nervous as I assumed that I would have to follow the exact layout or rules of the previous issues. After learning that the newsletter hadn’t been published in 5 years, I realized that, with the help of the Editorial Board, we would be able to shape the La Mensajera to fit with the current vision of Sigma Lambda Gamma. After reviewing the past issues of La Mensajera, we, as a board, knew we wanted to create this publication as a voice for the membership. La Mensajera is for the sisterhood, so why not ensure that the platform was filled with what they wanted to read? With that in mind, we created a survey and sent it out to you, the membership, to learn what sisters are facing every day. What issues, accomplishments, stories, and visions could we share to show everyone what being a Gamma truly is? Due to the overwhelming amount of responses and ideas sisters were proud to share with us, we were eager to share the information with the rest of membership. Within the issue you’ll find tips and tricks for the upcoming convention and sister spotlights from different regions. We also touched base with sisters who are leading the world of politics. While we were not able to include all ideas and submissions in this issue, we hope to include them in the future. The editorial board and I are strong believers in keeping La Mensajera alive and reaching all corners of membership. In order to sustain this tradition, we will continue to need your help. Please support us in bringing La Mensajera to life by submitting ideas or any creative pieces to lamensajera@sigmalambdagamma.com We are excited about the future of La Mensajera and hope you are, too!
Alexandra Limon Alexandra Limon
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Ariel Gonzalez, Omicron Gamma Managing Editor Ariel Gonzalez joined the Omicron Gamma Chapter during her sophomore year and later graduated from Marquette University in 2015. While earning her MS in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she continued to serve as the Chapter Advisor. Currently, she is finishing her MA in Writing and Publishing at DePaul University. Ariel was eager to join the editorial board to celebrate SLG’s achievements as a national organization and to help facilitate an honest conversation that leads to positive changes in the future. Megan Sotelo, Rho Beta Copy Editor Megan Sotelo is a 2015 graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas, where she joined the Rho Beta Chapter of SLG 3 years prior. She is currently an Alumni Counselor for a school district in Dallas, where she works with freshman college students to help them navigate through their first year. Megan is excited to help bring La Mensajera back as it combines two of her favorite things: SLG and writing. It is her hope La Mensajera will spotlight the unique voices of our membership.
Rachel Ramirez, Gamma Layout Editor Rachel Ramirez joined our sxsterhood in the spring of 2015 at Iowa State University, where she currently serves as the Entity Advisor. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, she has been building her skills as a freelancer and pursing her wide range of interests before settling into a career. Since learning about La Mensajera at her first informational as a college freshman, working on the publication has been one of her many goals as a Gamma, and she is excited to finally get to fulfill it.
Christy Tracie, Tau Epsilon Contributing Writer Christy Tracie has been actively involved in our sxsterhood since she joined in 2014. She is currently the Entity Advisor for the Tau Epsilon chapter and the Vice President of Finance and Fundraising for the Southeast Louisiana Alumnae Association of SLG. Since graduating from UL Lafayette with her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a concentration in Business, Christy has been serving as the Media Education Coordinator for her local non-profit public access tv station. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, traveling, practicing aerial sports, and organizing volunteer events within her community. Angelys Torres, Delta Zeta Contributing Writer Angelys Torres is a founder of the Delta Zeta Chapter at Valparaiso University. In 2018 she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and Humanities. Angelys is currently a law student at Drexel University. As a Puerto-Rican Chicago native, she has plans of returning to the city to start her career. Last summer Angelys interned with LatinoJustice Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund in Orlando, FL. There she found a special interest for civil rights impact litigation. In the future, she hopes to be involved with civil rights policy reform.
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TOP 5 TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF CONVENTION By: Megan Sotelo
This year’s convention will be extra sentimental as we celebrate 30 years of Sigma Lambda Gamma in the city where it all began. Convention is a time for us to reflect on our sxsterhood, conduct business to improve our organization, and connect with members from across the nation. To make the most out of this year’s convention, we have put together a list of things you can do prior to your trip to the motherland. BRUSH UP ON CONVENTION PROCEDURES
Due to the business aspect of convention and the size of our membership, business meetings can run longer than expected. In order to minimize the number of questions, ensure your delegates review Robert’s Rules of Order, the Constitution and Policy Manual, NBOD candidates, and proposals prior to Convention. This will help meetings run smoothly and adjourn in a timely manner. Please refer to this link for a Robert’s Rules cheat sheet.The Constitution and Policy Manual can be found in the Resource Center on EmpowerNet. Make sure you are checking your national updates as we get closer to convention for more information. REVIEW CURRENT POLICIES AND DRAFT PROPOSALS
Review policies for any rules you believe are outdated. Some questions to ask yourself and your chapter are if the policies are inclusive of our diverse membership or if the policies allow our sorority to function efficiently. If not, how can the policy be revised to improve our membership? You can review past national updates for examples of previous proposals. Also, be informed of any proposals. Leading up to convention, you will be receiving more information on the proposals. By keeping our policies up-to-date and being an active participant in their approval, you will ensure our organization moves forward in supporting the best interests of our growing membership.
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NETWORKING CHALLENGE
One of the biggest strengths of our sxsterhood is the diversity of our membership and our nationwide status. Our entities are doing great things across the country, and convention is the best time to ask other sxsters for advice on how to handle internal issues, learn about programming other entities are doing, and meet sxsters with similar majors and career aspirations. Check out our networking challenge below for ways to get connected. •
Join two new GroupMes (regional, initiation semester, special interest, etc.) or invite new members.
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Follow three sxsters on LinkedIn. Try to find sxsters with similar majors or career interests.
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Take a photo with at least one founder, NBOD member, or Mary Peterson!
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Connect with at least one sxster from every region and get their contact information.
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Join the national Facebook group and the group for your region.
HOLD ELECTIONS AND HAVE YOUR CHAPTER RETREAT EARLY
While it can be tempting to push elections and chapter retreat to the summer, it is important that officers are properly trained and well-informed of the state of your entity. Aim to hold elections and chapter retreat prior to convention, so delegates are prepared to speak on behalf of your entity. If possible, try to send a new member with a more senior member who can answer questions and guide them. HAVE FUN!
Most importantly, convention is a time to celebrate the growth of our sxsterhood. Although convention is more business-focused than sxsterhood retreat, it is an opportunity to meet new people, explore a new city, and take lots of photos. Make sure to enjoy yourself and stay safe! We will see you in Iowa!
The American Heart Association is one of the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organizations committed to fighting heart disease and strokes. Sigma Lambda Gamma’s partnership with the AHA supports preventative education and makes resources accessible for womxn at risk of heart disease nationwide. We would like to share some ideas on how you and your entity can continue to support this heart-healthy partnership into the New Year 2020! CHECK OUT AHA’S HOLIDAY HEALTHY EATING GUIDE!
This nifty guide is packed with tips, advice, and recipes for making health-conscious food and fitness choices during the holiday season.
GIVE WITH AMAZONSMILE!
Did you know that when you order your holiday gifts (or any eligible online purchases!) through AmazonSmile, 0.5% of your purchase price will be donated to the charity of your choice? Here’s how you can share the gift of giving with the AHA: • • • •
Go to smile.amazon.com Login to your Amazon account Select our charitable partner: American Heart Association Start shopping!
Please note that you must always start at smile.amazon.com to support the American Heart Foundation.You can make it easier to return to this site by adding a bookmark to your toolbar! GET PLUGGED IN TO AHA’S ONLINE COMMUNITIES
Here, you can stay connected with upcoming national events like Wear Read Day and stay informed with the latest tips, info, and research on heart health.You can also tag and share your own fundraising successes and get fundraising inspiration from other support groups! You can also tag your AHA-related content with the EmPOWERED Hashtag, #EmPOWERChange across all platforms!
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JESSICA
TONI
ELIANA
NATALIE
SARAH
Sxster Spotlights DIANA
KATHLEEN
DEZERAE
By:Angelys Torres
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When asked about their most salient identities, sxsters from around the nation shared formative experiences that contributed to their growth as Womxn of Distinction. TONI GARCIA Southern Region FA’17 Active | Lambda Delta Chapter
JESSICA LISSETTE ZAMORA Western Region SPR’07 Alumna | Mu Gamma Chapter
“When I think of my identity, some words that come to mind are sxster (both from Sigma Lambda Gamma and my nuclear family), student, mentor, daughter, and lover. And I think the identifier that resonates with me most is lover—a lover of people. And trust me, I know it can be hard to love people sometimes, but I think the reason why I choose to be that lover, the thing that is central to my identity, is seeing how great of a love I have received from Christ and being able to give that love for others through Him. Although I feel very fortunate to be living this life, I have had some major struggles. In truth, everyone has suffered in some way. But the thing about that suffering is that through it, Christ has always been a constant for me.Whether or not I wanted anything to do with Him, He would be there. Above all else, I think having love to give, love to get, and making my life about serving the purpose of leaving people better than when I first met them and making them feel like a bigger being in this universe because I made it a point to show them the consideration to justify who they are, is what is most central to my identity.”
“How many of you were language translators at the age of seven? I know this experience is far too common for most of us who are first generation in this country. My parents immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador. They settled down in what is now known as South Los Angeles (formerly known as South Central LA). Until the age of 7, Spanish was the only language I knew, but after a year of grade school I was a fluent English speaker. Well, at least in the eyes of my family. After kindergarten, I was my parents’ voice. My parents did not speak a lick of English and would entrust me to translate all their communication with English-language speakers. My neighborhood, unfortunately, had a high crime rate, and law enforcement was constantly knocking on people’s doors asking for information. Quite often, I found myself translating between my parents and police officers. There were times when my neighbors would request that I translate for them at the police station when they had questions, or their relatives happened to be in custody. These early encounters with the legal system inspired me to be a
voice in my community. I witnessed firsthand the hardships non-English speakers encountered due to the language barrier. I wanted to bridge the gap due to this language barrier. I was determined to pursue a legal career. After 4 years of college and 3.5 years of law school, I’m proud to be a licensed attorney. Now, not only am I able to translate for people in my community, but I can be a legal resource as well.” NATALIE AGUILAR GLATZ Central Region FA’10 Alumna | Upsilon Delta Chapter “As a child of immigrants, growing up meant having to mature far quicker than my friends. It meant accompanying my parents to doctor offices, banks, pharmacies, fast food drive-thrus, and stores to translate for them. It meant making important calls to mortgage lenders and credit card companies. It meant filling out important paperwork. Putting it simply, it meant being an intermediary for my parents and the English-speaking world. At the age of 8 years old, it was hard coming to terms with hard truths about what my family was going through. At that young age, I was aware. Aware of things that I shouldn’t have been. But that’s what brought me closer to my parents. It made me see how hard my parents had to work and how much they sacrificed for me—for us. I’m sure my parents wanted nothing more than to shield me from certain truths, but it was hard when I was all they had to depend on. Though the responsibility was a lot to cope with
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sometimes, I was thankful that I was able to provide my parents with a means of communicating in English. Fast forward 20 years, I am more grateful than ever for having had that responsibility. It’s allowed me to go through life being aware of the hardships in people’s lives and cognizant of the fact that having to rise to that challenge at an early age made me into the responsible, aware, and understanding person that I am today. It allowed me to be independent at a far earlier age than my peers. It prepared me for tough times. It’s shown me true resilience. For that, I’ll always be thankful.” ELIANA TORRES Southest Region SPR’08 Alumna | Rho Alpha Chapter “I was born in Colombia and immigrated to Miami, FL when I was 14 years old. I didn’t speak English at all. I knew a few sentences but didn’t understand it much. My dad was a lawyer in Colombia. When we moved here, he had to leave his career behind. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a lawyer too. It was difficult for me to accept that I would have twice as many challenges to become an attorney. I worked very hard to learn English. I even joined the debate team in high school to challenge myself and learn more (I was not good at all). A few years later, I was blessed with a scholarship to the University of Florida for college. As I prepared for law school, I was still translating words to English in my head. Because of that, the LSAT was traumatizing. My lack of fluency in English made me twice as anxious to take the
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test. Although I didn’t get a great score, I was accepted to FAMU College of Law. There I learned the value of a good support system. A few months before my second year of law school, I met the Dean of The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He encouraged me to take a chance and transfer. Without knowing anyone, I moved to Chicago two months later. It was challenging. I graduated from John Marshall and passed the Illinois bar exam on my first try. While waiting for bar results, I didn’t yet have a job, so I enrolled in the LLM Program at ChicagoKent College of Law and specialized in International Intellectual Property Law. I would eventually graduate with honors. Soon after, I passed the Florida bar exam and was blessed with an offer to work for the federal government as a trademark attorney. During my entire journey, I remained very physically active. I even started competing in bodybuilding and running trail/obstacle races. I love the challenge it brings. Challenging my body mirrors the challenges with my career. It’s been the journey that has shaped me not the achievements. I want to be a motivation and inspiration for anyone who is discouraged by their circumstances. Everything is possible with faith and determination. One of my favorite quotes by Joan of Arc reads, ‘I am not afraid. I was born to do this.’” SARAH MORAIRTY Western Region FA’16 Active | Epsilon Delta Chapter “Boozhoo! Sarah ndizhnikaas. N’doonjibaa Anishinaabe. (Hello! My name is Sarah.
I belong to the Anishinaabe community). I am also Irish, Russian, French Canadian, and English. I am the culmination of colonization and the melting pot of the Western world. My background is diverse and beautiful, and it is the foundation of who I am. Through my studies and experiences within my Indigenous community, I have come to understand that there are many major pressing issues in the world today.There are many whose voices have been silenced. My privilege of education has impacted the way I view the world and myself. My time in college, including my membership in the Sigma Lambda Gamma sxsterhood, has allowed me to build up from my foundation and create a bright future; a future that I hope to fill with hard work and meaningful impact. In total, I am proud of who I am, and I am excited about who I can and will become. I am strong. I am dedicated. I am driven. I am as fierce as a purple panther and as delicate and sweet as a pink rose. I am a Womxn of Distinction. I am a Gamma!” DIANA HERNÁNDEZ-GARCIA Central Region SPR’16 Active | Phi Chapter “‘¡Échale ganas!’ My mother, my father, my older brother, distant relatives, friendly strangers and mentors. I have always heard this phrase growing up. It is an encouraging phrase that roughly translates to “Give it your all.” So ¡Échale ganas! has become a phrase I tell myself when I need that extra push.
¡Échale ganas! because at the age of 19, my mother lost her mother to ovarian cancer. Being the third oldest child of seven, she was left to raise her four youngest siblings between the ages of 9 and 14. She gave up her dreams of becoming a schoolteacher to provide for them and made sure they received an education. One became a teacher. ¡Échale ganas! because at 16 years old my grandmother ran away with her older boyfriend and had her first kid. She married into an abusive and unfaithful relationship. Countless times she would run away and each time he would find her. His actions would eventually cause an untreated STI to become ovarian cancer. ¡Échale ganas! because when my indigenous great-grandmother was 13, she was sold to a man ten years older than her to be his wife. She had her first child at 14 years old. ¡Échale ganas, Diana! because I grew up in a small one-room house in Mexico City. ¡Échale ganas, Diana! because I am a PROUD immigrant. ¡Échale ganas, Diana! because I am the FIRST in my family to go to college, but I won’t be the LAST. So, on days when I am running on a couple hours of sleep, I have several todo lists, and papers staring me in the face I tell myself ‘¡Échale ganas, Diana!’ I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams.”
KATHLEEN DELACRUZ Plains Region FA’15 Alumna | Iota Chapter
DEZERAE HERNÁNDEZ Midwest Region SPR’19 Active | NIU Associate Chapter
“When given the topic of identity, the components of oneself varies from one person to the next. The people you are surrounded by on a daily basis, culture, family, and even personal interests are just a few examples that help shape a person’s identity. Some factors may also have more of an influence than others and some may not have any influence at all. For me, being Filipino is one of the main roles to my identity because I was raised in a household that exemplifies the core values of family, education, and sacrifice. My parents moved from the Philippines to the United States in hopes of a better life for not only themselves, but for the family that they were going to start. Many sacrifices were made in the process such as leaving pretty much everything they have ever known, including loved ones like their parents. Growing up in America, my parents always reiterated to never forget where we came from. From the food to responsibilities and how we act around one another, my parents always represented the Filipino culture in our home in any way possible, all of which has played a crucial role in my childhood and has helped me become the person I am today.”
“Throughout my life I have always been very close with my mom. She is my best friend and biggest support system. She has been with me through all of my ups and downs. She often uses the word ‘fuerte.’ In English, it translates to ‘strong.’ My abuelita always reminded my mom to be fuerte when she had feelings of frustration or just needed a little pickme-up. Now, my mom always shares that in my life. She is the strongest womxn I know, and I strive to embody her in every way, every day of my life. My mom, Elvia, is my WCE (womxn crush every day). She is the sweetest and most compassionate womxn I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Throughout my life I have always had a lot of anxiety and tend to go through patches of depression. My mom has always stood by me and helped me in whatever way she can. She has never made me feel lesser or judged. My mom has always acknowledged my feelings and made sure to stress the importance of speaking your truth and opinions, whatever those may be. I hope to be just as fuerte as her within my daily life.”
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“I am from the land of shaking shoulders/ Dances borrowed by Beyoncé/ I am from the land where the spices rule/ From pepper to berbere”
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“Painless Heartache” Amber Ramirez | Tau Epsilon
“Where I’m From” Naomi Samuel I am from the land of the kind— The ones with golden black faces The ones who walk up mountains barefoot Still without shoes as they win the races The smell of smoke and diesel Which people hate but I always like to say I am from the land with the growth so drastic You can smell it coming your way. I am from the land of shaking shoulders Dances borrowed by Beyoncé I am from the land where the spices rule From pepper to berbere I am from the land of a rising city But not so high it blocks the view Of the mountains in the distance Reminding the city of what it cut through I am from the land of natural clocks The morning one being the orthodox hymns Waking up the entire city With historic voices poking their limbs I am from the land where you cannot resist The urge for happiness to be redefined A land where time slows from the Gregorian manner And leaves you with a relaxed mind I am from the land of honey wine! That tastes richer than anyone could know Until they come to the land of Ethiopia A treasure of both yesterday and tomorrow
Fear stained pillow cases Lining the walls of my evergreen arteries On the planes of my heart-filled dreams. Tear drops falling upon the blades and wings Of its crow-like body. Whipping and weaving Past the clouds of memories of this life. While the passengers, like blood cells, Move past one another. My heart sings a song like no other. “Listen dear, Come on hear, Don’t run... One more step... Why are you so afraid, Have you forgotten your name, Sweet like candied yams on summer mornings and calm as the ocean waters?” A message lies beneath its sweet song And speaks out to me saying, “Fear no more child, For you were chosen for much more. Fear not life, Because it is filled with surprises Beyond your imagination. Remember who you are And the strength that carries through your veins. Remember your pain, For from it you will grow strong. Remember your mistakes, Remember forgiveness, And most of all, Remember you are destined for greatness. For you were not sent here to stop, You are only at the beginning. Keep going. Never stop. Remember. Let your heart ache and speak to you through its pain. Let it tell you of the love it has felt and the love yet to come. Do not let what happened to you Stop you from trying. You were chosen for more. Keep going.
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January 3, 2019. This day will forever mark a major and remarkable moment in the history of our nation’s leadership. Just this past year, a record-breaking 127 womxn, from varying ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, both newly elected and re-elected, were sworn into the 116th U.S. Congress. These numbers included: •
Texas’ first Latina Congresswomxn (Sylvia Garcia and Veronica Escobar)
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The first Native American womxn ever elected to Congress (Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids)
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The first Muslim womxn ever elected to Congress (Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib)
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The first Black Congresswomxn ever elected from Connecticut (Jahana Hayes) and Massachusetts (Ayanna Pressley)
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The first womxn Senators ever elected from Tennessee (Marsha Blackburn), Mississippi (Cindy Hyde-Smith), and Arizona (Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally)
It’s true that the number of womxn now serving our country at the federal level is at an all-time historic high of 24%. However, the push for equal and equitable representation of womxn in high political positions remains necessary. It is critical that we continue to venture into new roles and occupy new spaces to ensure the demographics of our government’s leadership authentically reflect the constituents it serves. In this segment, we are honored to highlight the stories of three exceptional Sigma Lambda Gamma members who are actively pursuing leadership positions at the federal level for the electoral year 2020! We are excited to present a small glimpse into their political journey thus far, sharing the compelling experiences that motivated and empowered them to become Womxn Who LEAD! By: Christy Tracie
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Pursuing U.S. House of Representatives
Sakinah Lehtola Florida District 24
took on really complex challenges that required some heavy critical thinking— challenges that had no easy black and white solutions. After I finished school in December 2016, I went to Washington D.C. to complete a political internship program. However, I knew before attending—I just knew—there was no way I was getting involved in U.S. politics. I saw things as constantly corrupt and unchanging. But that whole experience in D.C. changed my mind.
MU Chapter University of SOUTH FLORIDA SPRING 2014
CT: What was your experience like at the capital?
CT: Hi Sakinah, thank you for agreeing to this interview! Can you walk us through some of your moments, if any, as an undergraduate student that have propelled you toward the realm of politics? Have any of your experiences at USF influenced your decision to run? SL: Well starting off, this was absolutely not something I was expecting to do. Back in high school, I just knew from the start that I always wanted to help people. So, I convinced myself that I would become a pediatric oncologist or a surgeon or a lawyer or something. I was stepping into college as a first-gen student, so no one in my family could really give me any insight or direction. I actually started freshman year as an International Business major because I knew I wanted to work on a global scale. But then in my sophomore year, I hated all my classes and switched to Mass Communications— because I love to talk! But I quickly realized I didn’t want to become a news or weather media personality. It was then that I was introduced to the Political Science major through the general assumption that, if you want to eventually go to law school, it was the major for you. But I didn’t really know everything it would entail. I just knew that I began to really love the classes because we 16
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SL: Well, when I was in D.C., I began working with refugee resettlement cases right around the time when the current [45th] president was stepping into office and his new administration had implemented the travel ban. I remember that most of my clients were from Iraq and Afghanistan and were going to be severely affected by the ban. They were special immigrant visa holders, many of whom fought side-by-side with our own U.S. military in their countries. In my mind, they were held to the same stature as U.S.-born military veterans! These were people who had supported the U.S. under the promise that they would now be able to enter our country with their families for refuge, people who were no longer safe in their home countries. They had been working so hard to get their clearances, but now their lives were in extreme jeopardy because they were no longer allowed into the U.S. under this new discriminatory policy. The scary reality was these people were going to die. They were being left to die.
Beyond this detriment, the current administration had also cut our program’s funding and slashed the maximum number of refugees we could intake during that year. These changes all had long-term effects. We were losing employees with decades and decades of experience in this field. It was during this time that I really got my desire to run for a Congressional seat. I still didn’t really understand the extent of what it would mean to run. But that was the moment for the first time I began to see up close and personal how these policies were affecting innocent people’s everyday lives. CT: Now that you’ve propelled onto the candidate field in your district, what would you say is your ultimate goal from this experience? I’m sure winning would be the most ideal! But beyond securing the seat, how would you define success within your political journey? SL: Well, my campaign slogan is “For a movement, not a moment.” That’s because for me, while winning is of course important, it’s not just about winning this election. It’s about what happens after November when the election is over. The pattern that we usually see, especially during the year of a presidential election, is that people get really engaged at first. That’s because the president is running at the forefront. But after that election, people go back to sleep and stop paying attention. In my district specifically, we have a very low level of engagement. We need really progressive policy changes in this country, but that’s not going to happen if our fate lies solely in the hands of the politicians already fighting. The only way we will get the real change we want to see is if we motivate the masses to participate in our processes. We have to recognize that in the masses is where our power lies. There is no one politician or one activist that can “save us.” The power lies within the general population. Things can get better but it’s going to take all of our energy to do that. So, success in this campaign to me is really about creating a movement that lives on long after the election, no matter
who wins the election. My biggest goal is to truly create an everlasting impact on the communities I serve. CT: You mentioned getting the masses to participate. Can you define that a bit perhaps for the SLG members who feel motivated to get involved but are unsure what other options they actually have beyond voting or running for Congress? SL: Absolutely.Voting is your civic duty as a citizen. But that isn’t the only way to get plugged in and involved.You don’t have to necessarily run for a big office. You can get involved in nonprofit work. You can become an advocate for the issues you care about. You can lobby legislators on the issues that matter. You can volunteer with campaign teams for the candidates you’re supporting. You don’t have to fight for every cause. But ask yourself, which issues really matter to you? For some womxn, it’s healthcare. For other womxn, it’s the environment. Make it personal to you.
“There is no one politician or one activist that can ‘save us.’ The power lies within the general population.”
CT: Thanks for that clarity. So now, what would you say has been your biggest challenge thus far since you announced your political campaign? Have there been any particular barriers that you are concerned about?
corporations or big PACS [Political Action Committees]. I’m reaching out to everyday people. And it’s already difficult for everyday people who may be barely getting by. Asking them to give what may be their last $20 for the month to support a political campaign is definitely a challenge. I also think it’s difficult because there’s a lot of misunderstanding about why we need campaign money in the first place. Campaigns are really expensive to run. Another big challenge for me is that I’m running against an incumbent who is not an unpopular candidate. Often people feel that if you are set to run against an incumbent, you are likely to lose 95% of the time. Some people have even asked me, “Why didn’t you just wait for her to retire?” However, I genuinely believe it is time for a new voice, new energy, and new ideas to be represented. So now I’m just working really hard to figure out how to portray that message in the best light. CT: Where do expect this entire journey to lead you, let’s say 5 years from now? SL: Hmm, well of course, hopefully in the U.S. House! [she laughs] But aside from that, humanitarian work is really where my heart lies. So, in whatever capacity that may be. In 5 years, I see myself working in human rights and humanitarian crisis both in the U.S. and abroad. And I see myself starting my own non-profit geared toward bridging the poverty and equality gap in my community. I just know that what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life ultimately is helping people. www.sakinahforcongress.com /sakinahforcongress /sakinahforcongress /sakinahlehtola
SL: Well, fundraising is really hard. It’s hard because I’m not looking to big LA MENSAJERA
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Pursuing Georgia Senate
MATIELYN JONES District 45
CT: Matielyn, thank you so much for offering to share your story with our sxsterhood. Reflecting back to the moment you made your decision to run for Georgia Senate, what were some of your initial thoughts or feelings, maybe even actions, that transpired at that time and prompted your decision to run? Has politics been a field in which you’ve always held an interest?
PI BETA CHAPTER GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SUMMER 2002
MJ: I have always been interested in the process of how things work and in decision-making. For me, politics is not something I was chasing. It is something that has always been chasing me. I realized very early on that the people who actually make the rules for all of us are extremely influential and powerful. It’s important that these leaders have a heart for the people they serve. Although I moved to this district a couple months ago, I always knew that I was going to run for office. I feel that the timing is right now because I have the support of my family here in Georgia. Our country needs new leadership, not to mention this particular seat in the Georgia Senate has been held by the same person for 16 years! I think we need a new vision. We need a progressive vision. So, I decided to run for this seat. It was important for me to be an option on our ballot because I don’t see any options on our ballot who best represent me. CT: It’s great to hear that this has been a goal of yours for some time.You are obviously very passionate about it! Was Political Science your field of study?
MJ: Yes! My undergraduate degree is in Political Science and my master’s degree is in Social Foundations of Education, which falls under Education Policy. CT: Can you share with us some of your experiences from the earlier years of our sxsterhood circa 2002? And would you say your experience as a Gamma has prepared you for the political seat you are seeking? MJ: Being in SLG has profoundly impacted my life. My journey in SLG started as a colony member at Georgia State University. I have fond memories of District Retreats and National Convention, working to expand our membership, and then petitioning for chapter status. From there, I was elected and served as Southeast District Governor [currently called Regional Director], National VP of Program Development, and
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National President, the first Black womxn to serve in the role. Serving in SLG leadership provided an opportunity to influence and write policy, travel, meet sisters from all over the country, work in collaboration with dynamic womxn toward a common goal, gain a better understanding of the processes, challenges and opportunities within our organization, set and manage the scope of our organizational priorities, and advocate from a seat at the table as we worked toward making SLG the best it can be. These leadership roles have prepared me well for public service in the state legislature, so yes, my SLG experiences are invaluable. Overall, I have enjoyed my journey. I saw SLG as an opportunity for me to do something different and to be different, especially because we were a much smaller organization at the time and there were so many opportunities to serve! I always felt like my sxsterhood was accessible. Some of the womxn I know from SLG are people I will forever love and adore because of who they are and who they were to me at that point in my 20’s. CT: Is there any advice you want to share with SLG members who are currently feeling unengaged with our upcoming 2020 elections process? MJ: My advice would be that you have to get involved in the process beyond voting on Election Day. That day and those results are actually the end of a long process that starts over again the day right after election. The process never stops. The work never stops. We have to continue to check in and hold your elected officials accountable if they begin leading or making policies in ways that are self-serving or for personal gain. At the end of the day, we could compare this to a ball game: You can either point from the sidelines or you can play on the field. Every day you are making a decision whether you’re going to be yelling from the bleachers or whether you’re going to get in the game. There is a place for everyone who wants to be a part of this
process, and I encourage you to get in the game! Part of the reason why our current politicians are so out of touch is because they don’t identify with the majority of the country who are, in fact, middle-class working people. This is my first time running in a such a big race (this seat represents 192,000 people). Honestly, running for office can be scary, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable for me at times. At the same time, the division and the turmoil I see are unacceptable. We have to elect people with a heart for people, so I’m running, and I’m running to win! While it is your personal decision whether you participate beyond voting, just know that we will ultimately end up with whatever we tolerate.
and there. However, I don’t think I stopped enough along the way to really appreciate and embrace being in the moment of it all. I would tell my “neo” self to chill out a little bit—not to be so hard on myself, enjoy life. Accomplishments aren’t everything. As a womxn of faith, I had to learn that God really doesn’t care about your resume. Who you are and how you treat people are really important— those matter a lot. Moments matter. And becoming a mom really required me to slow down in a way that I may not have otherwise. Being a mom helped me realize that the term “success” could take on many different forms, and it’s perfectly okay to define that for yourself. www.matielynjones.com /MatielynJones /matielynjones
“Honestly, running for office can be scary, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable for me at times. At the same time, the division and the turmoil I see are unacceptable.” CT: It is my hope that sharing your stories will encourage more womxn to keep pushing to bring about positive change to our leadership. What advice would “today” Matielyn wish she could give to her neo self? To “Neo” Matielyn”? MJ: I would tell her to stop and smell the roses. Reflecting back on my life in my 20’s, I recall achieving many things meant so much to me then. I could make a huge list of accomplishments that I’m proud of, but today it all feels like a blur.Truly. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed being involved, and I have wonderful memories here LA MENSAJERA
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Pursuing U.S. House of Representatives
Jessica Cisneros Texas District 28
Xi Chapter University of texas at austin SPRING 2013
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CT: Hi Jessica! What has been your motivation for stepping into this race for the U.S. House? How did we get here?
out of Washington. And these policies weren’t being created with people like me and my family and my community in mind.
JC: Well, when people usually ask me what I was considering when I decided to run, I tend to give them a very long answer simply because there are so many factors that influenced me! From a very young age, I’ve always wanted to be an advocate because of the things I witnessed and experienced. I started to see how my area, where I was raised right on the border, was being neglected and mistreated. My district had very rampant rates of poverty and there was little to no access to healthcare here. Getting healthcare actually meant going to Mexico to get medications or to get medical procedures performed. People in my district had to work two or three jobs just to keep food on their table. And obviously the country’s immigration laws affected us heavily here in Texas, perhaps more than any other part of the country. I began to see that these inequalities were derived from the laws and policies
Prior to running, I had actually begun working as an immigration attorney. I was just inspired by how so many people in my area seemed to have an immigration story of their own. I felt like my advocacy was always going to be within the courtroom. However, in the past few years under the current presidential administration, my work as an attorney became incredibly heartbreaking. I saw one too many families whom I worked with being torn apart by a very unjust immigration system. It was very frustrating because I kept running into roadblocks. I would present the best cases possible to represent these families. However, the judges would just tell me as much as they want to help, the laws aren’t in place to help. The policy isn’t there. The funding isn’t there. My personal frustration was that I wasn’t having the impact that I desired.
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This was happening at the same time that an organization, Justice for Democrats, was working with members of my community here to find a challenger for our current congressman whose values haven’t always aligned with the interests of our community, which we hold dearly. There hasn’t been a primary challenger in over a decade, so he has continued to get elected year after year. It was around then that I was approached by my local community asking me to run, an effort led by my former high school teacher. And I decided to do it. Because I knew that we deserved so much better in this district. And I felt like, if all these people are believing in me, then I owe it to them to believe in myself too. CT: During that time when your supporters did reach out to you, what would you say were your biggest doubts about going for it? JC: There was definitely a ton of doubt! It’s that imposter syndrome. I believe it’s something that affects us as womxn and especially womxn of color. Society tell us that these spaces aren’t created for us and that we’re not capable or we haven’t done enough to deserve it. My family is of deep Christian faith and I made sure to speak with them before making any decisions. Because running for Congress doesn’t just affect you—it affects all the loved ones around you. So, I did take a few days to really think about it because I know what’s on the line. I just wanted to make sure I would be confident that I was the right person to step up. But at the same time, I had so many people who were believing in me. And I needed to change my thinking because I owed it to them. CT: Let’s talk a bit about your SLG experience. Do you feel that your time as an undergrad member has prepared you for this journey toward Congress? JC: Oh, definitely! SLG was a beautiful experience for me when I was an undergrad. It made my life way better because I did truly find a home away from home at the University of Texas. It was
my first time ever living away from Laredo. Being able to find my sxsterhood and share so many experiences with womxn who were going through similar things was amazing. Being in SLG also helped me hone my leadership skills serving as the President of our chapter. Overall, it was a great opportunity for me to advocate for womxn’s empowerment, which I hold near and dear to my heart. Even as I’m running now, it’s been incredible to see the response of womxn who are inspired by the fact that I may be the first womxn elected in South Texas for a Congressional seat! I’ve also been able to count on the support of SLG members to assist in whatever way they can, even those outside of my district. It just reminds me that I did the right thing when I pledged SLG.
“...I was approached by my local community asking me to run... And I decided to do it. Because I knew that we deserved so much better in this district.”
that was really cool! It’s been really touching to see these womxn doing it because they care about me and they believe in the bond of sxsterhood that we have. CT: Considering your far, what would you say you know now today you wish you knew back announcement day?
journey this is something that perhaps then on your
JC: Hmm, I think it goes back to those few days where I had to take time to determine if I would be the right person or not. Not that I regret that time at all, because it was so instrumental in making sure I was stepping into this on solid ground. But it’s been incredibly inspiring to see people’s reception to the whole campaign. Had I known all that, it would have cast away all doubt at the beginning! But again, it was part of the process. This campaign has garnished so much attention both locally and nationally. It’s really validating. CT: If you could tell your younger “neo self” one piece of advice, what would you like to tell her? JC: Well, I would tell her to keep doing what she’s doing. Because every single thing, whether good or bad, is all happening for a reason. I would tell her to keep pushing to affect more powerful change. That’s what I would tell her. www.jessicacisnerosforcongress.com /JCisnerosTX /jcisnerostx /jcisnerostx
CT: Oh, yes! I’ve definitely seen firsthand that support highlighted across many SLG members’ social media pages! We’re all hoping for your success. JC: Yes, it’s been really cool to see SLG members stepping up and helping in whatever way they can. Whether it’s just womxn posting and sharing an event, organizing with their friends, or fundraising within their own networks. One member even made a shirt for me, LA MENSAJERA
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In the Next Issue As we collected suggestions for topics and issues that our membership wanted to see discussed and represented in La Mensajera, we agreed that we needed to showcase places where our sxsterhood and sorority as a national organization have room to grow. While creating this newsletter, HQ was collecting responses for the Cultural Shift Team’s survey. For this reason, we collectively agreed to hold off on the sensitive topics of racism and lack of inclusivity until we have the survey results to help guide us in best addressing these issues. We will be discussing dismantling anti-Blackness in our next issue. We will be giving sxsters a voice to express their feelings and discussing what needs to change to create empowerment for all womxn. We want you to tell your stories rather than speaking for you. If you’d like to be involved in these articles, and we hope you do, please email us at lamensajera@sigmalambdagamma.com. We would also like to be transparent in sharing how we decided on the topics and articles included in this issue. Below are the survey results we gathered.
Which of the Following Would You Like to See Featured the Most in La Mensajera? 30.2%
65.1%
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Current highlights, achievements, and challenges that are relevant today Goals/visions for the sorority and insight into SLG’s future Reflections on past milestones and achievements
The Type of Content/Stories I Find Most Interesting to Read Are... [Select Your Top 3]
22.2% 85.7%
28.6%
30.2%
33.3%
69.8% 41.3%
39.7%
Current events, opinion pieces, working in policy, recruitment, health and wellness, anonymous advice column
74.6%
47.6%
68.3% 47.6%
Diverse cultural perspectives and experiences 85.7% Motivational stories 69.8% Community philanthropy/partnership building 85.7% Womxn in sorority leadership positions 69.8% Travels abroad 85.7% Insights from newly formed entities 69.8% Academic excellence 85.7% Other 1.6%
Which of the Following Would You Like to See Featured the Most in La Mensajera? Public service 74.6% Education & leadership 68.3% Business & entrepreneurship 47.6% Arts, media & entertainment 47.6% STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) 39.7% Other 1.6% Mental health/self-Care, personal, acceptance in post-graduate programs, lifestyle, social sciences, health and wellness, financial wellness, criminal Justice
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