MANA (organization)
The Mexican American National Association (MANA) is an organization established in 1974 in Washington, DC, by Mexican American women to address the unique concerns of Latinas that were often overlooked by mainstream feminist and Hispanic groups. Originally focused on feminist issues, MANA has evolved to support women of diverse backgrounds, including those of Caribbean, Central American, South American, and Spanish descent, officially changing its name to MANA, A Latina Organization in 1994. The organization has four main goals: to empower Latinas as community leaders, foster vibrant Hispanic communities, advocate for equitable public policies, and sustain its organizational growth.
MANA emphasizes education through programs like AvanZamos, which provides leadership training, and HERMANITAS, a mentoring initiative aimed at encouraging young Latinas to pursue academic success and healthy lifestyles. The organization actively engages in advocacy, having testified before Congress on issues such as the Equal Rights Amendment and family leave. With local chapters throughout the United States and on college campuses, MANA welcomes not only Latinas but also allies committed to addressing issues like pay equity and childhood poverty. Through newsletters, updates, and conventions, MANA aims to keep its members informed and connected, empowering many Latinas to become leaders in their communities.
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MANA (organization)
The Mexican American National Association (MANA) was founded in 1974 in Washington, DC, by Mexican American women. It began as a feminist organization associated with the women’s movement of that era. Because other feminist groups were not addressing concerns of Mexican Americans, and because male-dominated Hispanic groups spoke for women in Congress, Mexican American women formed MANA. As membership in MANA grew and became more diversified, the group officially changed its name in 1994 to MANA, A Latina Organization and includes women of Mexican, Caribbean, Central American, South American, and Spanish decent. Dedicated to their cause, MANA members are expected to volunteer their services for ten to fifteen hours each month.
MANA has four national goals: to support and encourage Latinas to become community leaders, to create vibrant and dynamic Hispanic communities, to advocate for and change when necessary any public policies that promote equality and fairness for Latinas, and to grow and sustain the MANA organization. MANA has developed two primary programs that are aimed at achieving these goals. The AvanZamos Program is an adult leadership training program for Latinas, and the HERMANITAS Program is a national mentoring program for young adults. Education is a top priority for MANA, and it created HERMANITAS to encourage young Latinas to stay in school, pursue academic goals, and live healthy and safe lives. Hermanitas, which means "little sisters," helps junior high and high school Latinas with future career choices and guides them through the requirements needed for high school graduation and college.
MANA members have testified before Congress and have campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the family leave act, and against sterilization abuse.
MANA has local chapters through the United States and on some college campuses. Many of its members are not Latinas but are concerned with the needs and issues that pertain to Latinas. the group's concerns have grown to include pay equity, teen pregnancy, and children in poverty. Information is transmitted to members through a quarterly newsletter, issue updates, and conventions. Through the group’s efforts, many Latinas have broken through barriers to become leaders in their communities.
Bibliography
Bush, Mike. "UNM Grad Had Helping Hand from Hermanitas." Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Journal, 17 May 2015. Web. 3 June 2015.
MANA de Imperial Valley Awards More than $12,000 in Scholarships to Imperial Valley Students." Tribune Weekly Chronicle. I. V. Weekly-Chronicle, 15 June 2010. Web. 3 June 2015.
"Mexican American Women's National Association." Dictionary of American History. High Beam Research, n.d. Web. 5 June 2015.
Rosen, Ruth. The World Split Open: How the Modern Women's Movement Changed America. New York: Penguin, 2007. Print.
Sierra, José Luis. "Latino Publishers: Economy, Education Top Issues Now." New America Media. New America Media, 31 Oct. 2011. Web. 5 June 2015.