History
The Hispanic Association of Women has had a mission of empowering women and promoting higher education since our inception in 1983. The organization began after two women got together for some “Cafecito” and began discussing a need for an organization that promotes women in our community. Our organization is 100% volunteer membership and is open to anyone who is seeking a higher purpose and opportunities to serve. Our membership is comprised of women from all walks of life, backgrounds, and professions. Throughout the years, our organization has seen tremendous growth and has flourished in our impact in giving back to our local community. We have expanded our reach by partnering with many local agencies and organizations in our community, while maintaining our focus of empowering women through higher education. These partnerships focus on promoting opportunities for the development of leadership skills by providing networking, mentorships, and training. We are very passionate about giving back to this great city and those in our community and, as a collective membership, we are honored to volunteer hours and hours per year (2020 {covid year} being an unfortunate exception).
A few of the organizations with whom we have collaborated include: OL Slaton Middle School Mother-Daughter Program, AAUW, Texas Tech University Mentor Tech, Raiders Rojos, Office of the President Back to School Fiesta, Komen for the Cure, Girl Scouts Dia de Los Muertos, Ronald McDonald House, South Plains Food Bank, Lubbock Dream Center, Kingdom Come Ministries, Open Door, Sondras Song, One Voice Running to Rescue, Girls Scouts, Hub City Community Outreach, and Meals on Wheels, just to name a few. We have also participated in the Cinco de Mayo Parade, Juneteenth Parade, Running to Rescue Walk, Race for the Cure, and Dia de Los Muerto Run.
A few of the organizations with whom we have collaborated include: OL Slaton Middle School Mother-Daughter Program, AAUW, Texas Tech University Mentor Tech, Raiders Rojos, Office of the President Back to School Fiesta, Komen for the Cure, Girl Scouts Dia de Los Muertos, Ronald McDonald House, South Plains Food Bank, Lubbock Dream Center, Kingdom Come Ministries, Open Door, Sondras Song, One Voice Running to Rescue, Girls Scouts, Hub City Community Outreach, and Meals on Wheels, just to name a few. We have also participated in the Cinco de Mayo Parade, Juneteenth Parade, Running to Rescue Walk, Race for the Cure, and Dia de Los Muerto Run.
Purpose
The Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under the section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. The purpose of the Association is two-fold:
1. To organize and support Hispanic women so they may:
a. promote educational opportunities for all women;
b. endorse issues of concern to empower women and youth.
2. To establish a collective effort to resolve problems and counter barriers faced by Hispanics.
a. act affirmatively to achieve full and equal participation in the political, social and
economic life of this nation;
b. promote opportunities for the development of leadership skills by providing training and information;
c. form coalitions with other organizations who share the purposes of Hispanic Association of Women, Inc.; and
d. to promote the advancement of Hispanics.
1. To organize and support Hispanic women so they may:
a. promote educational opportunities for all women;
b. endorse issues of concern to empower women and youth.
2. To establish a collective effort to resolve problems and counter barriers faced by Hispanics.
a. act affirmatively to achieve full and equal participation in the political, social and
economic life of this nation;
b. promote opportunities for the development of leadership skills by providing training and information;
c. form coalitions with other organizations who share the purposes of Hispanic Association of Women, Inc.; and
d. to promote the advancement of Hispanics.
| Hispanic Association of Women Bylaws |
Founding Members
Esther Sepeda and Tavita Dorrow
- Esther was elected Interim President in 1981 and President in 1982 and 1983.
- She also coordinated our first Women's Conference held in mid-1982.
Past Board Members
