Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience

Objective #1: Produce a black and white photography book on Latinas in California, United States who are successfully impacting on the well being of the California Latino Communities. The book will celebrate the contributions of these woman. The bilingual text (English & Spanish) that accompanies each photograph will briefly explain the work and accomplishment of the women presented in the book. Their intelligence, thoughtfulness and their involvements to advance the Latinos communities, parallels their visions of a better world for all. A separate introduction in the book will cover the objective to provide a positive media image of Latinos. The book highlights how the Latinas presented in the book are a representation of the larger number of Latinas/Latinos who abound throughout the United States who with equal passion stand proud and are also impacting on the well being of Latino communities.

Objective #2: Produce a school version of the book that would help answer the call of school districts across the United States for positive materials on ethnic populations. Students, both Latinos and non Latinos would be exposed to the Latino cultures in a positive manner.

Objective #3: The book's first three years royalties will be used by the author to develop college scholarships for Latino students. California High Schools with high percentages of Latino students, in the cities of Oakland and Los Angeles, will receive grants to help support or develop a Student Folkloric Dance Program in the schools. The intent is to encourage cultural pride in the Latino student and develop self confidence that in turn fuels a quest for a college education.

Criteria used in the selection of book entries: The project's criteria for participant selection is as follows: A Latina, resident, at the time of selection, of California who through successful endeavors is impacting positively on the Latino communities in California. Areas of endeavors of the women participants include Education, Public Health, Law Advocacy, Art, Media, Culture, Politics, Medicine, Community Service, etc.

Book's Format: Book format will be approximately 10x14 inches, containing black and white photographs approximately 9x11 inches of 75 Latinas. The photographs are of Latinas from throughout California, United States. On the opposite side of each photograph, there will be a bilingual (Spanish/English) biography regarding the woman and her work - it will be her story written in the third person conveying conviction, joy, love and tenacity. This book will be the first of its kind.