top of page

Welcome to the Midwest Mujeres Blogs and Resources page.
To access the Spanish version, please toggle the translation tab to Spanish. This tab can be found at the top of the website on desktop and mobile.
Bienvenido a la página de blogs y recursos de Midwest Mujeres.
Para acceder a la versión en español, cambie la pestaña de traducción a español. Esta pestaña se puede encontrar arriba.


See you today! Event details & livestream for Voices & Dreams Live | ¡Nos vemos hoy! 💚
We are excited to see you on Sunday, Nov 1!
¡Hoy celebramos juntas! A bilingual community celebration of courage, culture, and connection.
Thank you for registering to join us today for this special afternoon. Below are the practical details you need to arrive in person, access the event schedule, or tune in to the live broadcast.
Araceli Esparza
6 days ago2 min read


Mai Dia Vang: Creating Her Own Path, Honoring Her Roots
For Mai Dia Vang, a sunset photograph captures the freedom of embracing her creativity. Today, she connects teaching, art, and Hmong heritage to her vision for the business.

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 184 min read


Christina Pardo: Looking Up a Future That Feels Like Home
Meet Christina Pardo, founder of Only Meals by X in Madison, bringing restaurant experience, Colombian family traditions, and Latin-inspired meals to her business.
From her abuela’s kitchen in Chicago to restaurant leadership in Madison, Christina Pardo is turning years of hospitality experience into Only Meals by X. Join her on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3 Pm at Goodman Community Center

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 154 min read


Missy Mpati Husband: Bringing South African Flavor and Hospitality to Madison
Meet Missy Mpati Husband, a Madison chef, Kulture Kitchen founder, and real estate agent who shares South African flavors, hospitality, and an entrepreneurial vision.
With more than a decade of culinary experience, Missy Mpati Husband is growing Kulture Kitchen through South African flavors, creative dining experiences, and welcoming hospitality. Witness her story on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Goodman Community Center from 3-7 PM

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 94 min read


Diana Pacheco Sanchez: Building a Legacy Through Faith
fter a serious accident left her unable to walk or work, Diana Pacheco Sanchez discovered that she had not lost her knowledge, faith or ability to build something new. Join her and our other storytellers on Sunday, Nov 1 at the Goodman Community Center at 3 PM

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 93 min read


Liliana Espejel: Who Are You When the Life That Defined You Changes?
When the career and life that defined her changed, Liliana Espejel began asking a deeper question: Who am I becoming? Her journey connects engineering, immigration, theater, and conscious reinvention. Join her and the women of Midwest on Sunday, Nov 1 at the Goodman Community Center for our annual storytelling event.

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 94 min read


Milsa Nagaraj, Choosing a Future of Her Own
Meet Milsa Nagaraj, Choosing a Future of Her Own. She is a Mexican immigrant and emergent nonprofit leader in Madison whose journey connects education, family, and the courage to ask for support. After years of balancing work and motherhood, Milsa Nagaraj invested in her education. Today, she brings that experience to serving her Madison community. Join us Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Goodman Community Center to hear her story and others. At 3 PM, we will have a community altar, an

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 33 min read


Jackie Holland: A Quiet and Present Latina Leader in the Human Resources Field
Meet Jackie Holland, a bilingual HR leader redefining strength through quiet leadership, self-trust, and the courage to be heard. Meet her and the 2026 Midwest Mujeres' Voices & Dreams Academy cohort on Sunday, November 1 at 3 PM at the Goodman Community Center. Jackie Holland has built a career helping others navigate difficult conversations. Now she is learning that her own quiet voice carries power.

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 33 min read


Monica Weitzel Creating Connection Through Community
Monica Weitzel's professional journey is connected by one purpose: helping people feel welcomed, valued, and part of something meaningful. Join her on Sunday, Nov 1, at the Goodman Community Center at 3 PM for the community altar and at 5 PM for our storytelling show and dinner.

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 33 min read


Olivia Buenrostro Soto Helping Families Build a New Beginning
From public education to financial advising and maternal support, Olivia Buenrostro Soto has built a career helping families make informed decisions and begin again. Join her and the women of Midwest Mujeres on Sunday, Nov 1 at the Goodman Community Center at 3 PM

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 33 min read


Luz Padilla, I Still Have Time
After nearly 10 years in the same job, Luz Padilla returned to school and began building a new career in real estate. At 42, she is proving that it is never too late to begin again. Join her and the women of Midwest Mujeres on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3 PM at the Goodman Community Center. These women have powerful stories to share with our community. American Dream through the eyes of women of the Americas.

Midwest Mujeres
Oct 33 min read


Putting a Face to Rosa Cares LLC
Meet Rosa Edwards, a 2026 Voices & Dreams Academy participant 2026 VOICES AND DREAMS ACADEMY PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT "At least now 13 places know your name.” Rosa Edwards has always known that she loves caring for people. She didn't always know how to turn that calling into a visible, sustainable business. As Founder and Care Coordinator of Rosa Cares LLC, Rosa provides compassionate in-home care for seniors and adults with disabilities. She built the company around dignity, pe
Araceli Esparza
Oct 33 min read


Meet the Women of the 2026 Voices & Dreams Academy
This Latino Heritage Month, Midwest Mujeres celebrates 15 women whose stories bring leadership, culture, creativity, and new beginnings to life.
What does the American Dream look like through the eyes of women from the Americas—and the communities they now call home?
For the women of the 2026 Voices & Dreams Academy, that question holds many answers: building a business, returning to education, creating stability for family, finding community, or giving yourself permission

Midwest Mujeres
Sep 304 min read


Cyber Cafecito: Celebrate over the Lunch hour Latino Heritage Month
Meet the women at this exclusive preview event! Help us help them--get some practice speaking to a virtual audience!
Araceli Esparza
Sep 232 min read


Many Voices Came Together at Our Voices & Dreams Academy Kickoff
More than 50 people joined us for the Voices & Dreams Academy kickoff, and the room was filled with energy, courage, and connection.Women, coaches, alumni, professional speakers, and community members came together to learn about the Academy and build meaningful relationships. Our open mic was one of the evening's most powerful moments, with stories shared by women from Janesville, Milwaukee, and Madison. Each story reminded us why spaces like Voices & Dreams matter.

Midwest Mujeres
Aug 142 min read


The American Dream Through the Eyes of Women from the Americas
For some women, the dream is surviving discrimination and refusing to let it define them. For others, it is creating opportunities for the next generation that they never had themselves. Join Voices & Dreams Academy and create your story and impact your community.

Midwest Mujeres
Jun 263 min read


The Role of the Family in the Face of Alzheimer's and Other Dementias
We would like to invite you to a very important workshop for our families:
Alzheimer and Other Dementias: The Role of Family. This workshop will be in Spanish. A bilingual buddy system will be available.
Thursday, May 28, at 5 PM at the Midwest Mujeres offices.
This Spanish-language space was created for families, caregivers, and individuals who want to learn more about the signs of Alzheimer’s, caregiving strategies, and the resources available for our community.

Midwest Mujeres
May 141 min read


Mentorship for Midwest Women: Empowering Women Through Midwest Mujeres
The Midwest Mujeres Collective is a shining example of how mentorship can be structured to maximize impact. This organization is dedicated to Latina and other Black and Brown women entrepreneurs, providing a space where mentorship is accessible, culturally relevant, and empowering.
Araceli Esparza
Apr 65 min read


🌸 “Meet Stephanie & Georgina: Why our stories (and your support) matter.”🌸
As Midwest Mujeres closes our first year as an official nonprofit, we’re reflecting on the women who shaped this journey — women like Stephanie Habeck and Georgina Guerrero Hernandez, whose stories remind us why this work exists. Stephanie, a cosmetologist and owner of Stephanie’s Chair, joined Yo Quiero Dinero while navigating the everyday realities of rent, bills, and survival. She came for business support, but what she found was community — a place where her voice was val
Araceli Esparza
Dec 9, 20254 min read


Community Testimonials
Post-event blog on our impact and community testimonials
Araceli Esparza
Nov 16, 20252 min read
bottom of page
