Post-event blog on our impact and community testimonials

Creating Confident Smiles and Stronger Futures for All. Joanna Roldan embodies quiet strength and determination. As a dental assistant student, she’s learning that oral health care is about more than perfect teeth—it’s about teamwork, empathy, and confronting internal bias. Her path reflects the resilience of a young woman of color who has learned to work twice as hard to reach her goals. Watch her story at our show on Sat. Nov. 8th at the MyArts Theater.

Francelia Lara's story is one of service, commitment, and community transformation. Through her workshops and mentorship, she helps women build confidence and capacity as educators and caregivers, ensuring that every child’s early experiences are filled with care, culture, and connection. Discover her lessons as a child care provider and what keeps her hope in the next generation.

With every project, Jo Fernandez helps individuals and families declutter their homes and their hearts, creating environments that support mental wellness and ease. For Jo, cleaning is not just a task — it’s an act of care, a ritual of restoration. Come on Sat. Nov 8th and learn from her story of reinvention and finding meaning in her life.

Today, as the leader of I Care LLC, Maria Elena provides compassionate respite care for adults with dignity and love. Her story embodies adaptability, purpose, and service — a testament to how one woman’s commitment to healing can cross borders and languages, bringing comfort con corazón to every community she touches.

Líder con corazón | Bold community leader and changemaker Jenise Judon is the founder of Never Say No Enterprises and a Director with Urban Triage, where she lives out her mission to empower lives, build community, and inspire change. A dynamic speaker and organizer, Jenise has become a respected voice in Madison’s social justice movement, known for her authenticity and fierce compassion. Her story — one of resilience, faith, and transformation — reminds others that healing

Where Self-Love Begins: Stephanie Habeck’s Chair as a Space for Transformation Stephanie Habeck is the owner and operator of Stephanie’s Chair, a salon where beauty meets belonging. With over 20 years of experience behind the chair, Stephanie has created more than a business — she’s built a refuge. Join her and others on Sat. Nov 8th at the MyArts Theater, at 4 PM.

Georgina Guerrero embodies the resilience of Latina motherhood and the entrepreneurial spirit of her community. A dedicated secretary, daycare teacher, and local businesswoman, Georgina balances many roles with grace and determination. Discover her story on Saturday, Nov 8 at 4 PM at the MyArts theater

Stephany Penate is a first-generation Latina whose journey to financial empowerment began with a simple question — Why didn’t anyone teach us this sooner? Growing up in a family living in “survival mode,” she learned early that knowledge is power, especially around money. Join us on Sat. Nov 8th at the MyArts Theater, Madison, WI, to hear from Stephany and her journey.

“Simplified Finances Where You Are - On All Levels" Every day, Aida helps business owners make sense of money and overcome the barriers of bookkeeping. Aida Leflore is an Afro-Cuban American accountant and entrepreneur, founder of Leflore Accounting Services LLC in Madison, Wisconsin. With over a decade of professional experience, she supports individuals, nonprofits, and businesses in achieving financial stability and peace of mind. Join her on Nov 8 at the MyArts Theater

Tennisha Loggins is the CEO of Loggins Family Business LLC in Beloit, Wisconsin — a venture rooted in love, legacy, and good food. She will also be a speaker at Yo Quiero Dinero! Our Stories Matter this year on Nov 8th at the MyArts theater. Her entrepreneurial path began with a simple but powerful gift from her mother: a food truck. That spark became Snacks & Stuff Truck & Catering, a business known for its sabor and heart.

We are a month out for our annual event, Yo Quiero Dinero, which is on Saturday, November 8, at the MyArts theater, starting at 4 PM.

Latina Pay Day is about raising awareness. The gender and racial wage gap is not only impacting families’ potential to pursue higher education, purchase property, or invest in savings. There are everyday necessities–groceries, rent, and school supplies–that Latina mothers, who earn 53% less than white fathers, have a more difficult time affording. 

We made a bold move to create this Mental Health Guide for Latino Families in Wisconsin, for our followers who are allies and for other Latinas y Latinos. There is so much fear in our community right now. Immigration raids, hateful rhetoric, and hostility are not abstract—they come from neighbors, co-workers, sometimes even people in our own families. You have every right to be angry. You have every right to be hurt.

Across the United States, Latino communities are living under a form of psychological warfare. Every day, we are inundated with images and stories of Brown people being stopped, questioned, and detained by ICE—often without regard to their citizenship or immigration status. We have witnessed U.S. citizens harassed, wrongfully detained, and placed under surveillance simply for being Latino.

Midwest Mujeres volunteer newsletter and blog writer, Satya Williams, sat down with storyteller and founder of Beyond Words Productions, Jamie Perez, to talk about resilience, storytelling, and her upcoming keynote at Yo Quiero Dinero 2025: Our Stories Have Value. In this candid interview, Jamie shares lessons from journalism, her journey of turning pain into purpose, and what attendees can expect from this powerful celebration of women of color over 45.

Get ready for Yo Quiero Dinero 2025: Our Stories Have Value on Nov. 8 at MyArts Theater in Madison! ✨ Join us for networking in the Starlight Lounge and a powerful main stage show featuring inspiring stories and a mystery keynote speaker reveal. Sponsored by leading community partners, this event is a celebration of resilience, storytelling, and Latina leadership.

Disability Justice Leadership Conversation led by Krystal Kavita Jagoo, MSW. This is part of our Midwest Mujeres Cyber Cafecito. Join us on September 23

Join Midwest Mujeres Thursday, August 28 at 6 PM CST on Zoom for our monthly Cyber Cafecito, featuring Chelsea De Jesus—founder of SoulyHer.

We’re honored to be joined by Stephany Peñate, our Guest Speaker from Old National Bank, who will lead us through a powerful session on Financial Wellness & Budgeting. Stephany brings not only financial expertise but also a deep understanding of the unique financial journeys of women—especially Latinas, Black women, and women over 50.