About
Our Mission
Hispanas Unidas empowers Hispanic women through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Rooted in the wisdom and courage of our ancestors, we celebrate our linguistic and cultural heritage while advancing equity and opportunity. Since 1984, we have championed the collective power of Latina voices, supporting one another in personal growth and communal transformation.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every Latina stands in her power, guided by the wisdom of our ancestors, lifting each other as we rise, and transforming our communities with courage, corazón, and unity.
Our Values
Sisterhood
We nurture bonds of trust, respect, and solidarity across generations.
Cultural Pride
We honor our heritage, language, and traditions.
Leadership with Purpose
We act with courage, integrity, and a vision for justice.
Equity and Justice
We work to dismantle barriers and expand opportunity.
Community Empowerment
We believe in the collective power of Latinas to transform our communities.
Generational Connection
We learn from the past, embrace the present, and prepare future leaders.
Equity and Justice
We lead with heart, compassion, and authenticity.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At Hispanas Unidas, we celebrate and embrace Latinas of all ages, colors, ethnicities, educational backgrounds, languages, sexual orientations, and self-identifications—whether Hispana, Latina, Chicana, or any name that honors our heritage. We are committed to creating inclusive spaces where every voice is valued and empowered to lead, grow, and transform our communities.
Meet Our Board
María Antonietta Berriozábal
Chair Emeritus
María Antonietta Berriozábal, the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, has dedicated over 60 years to public service and grassroots activism in San Antonio. In 1981, she made history as the first Latina elected to the San Antonio City Council and later became the first Latina to run for mayor of a major U.S. city. Her memoir, Maria, Daughter of Immigrants, chronicles her personal and political journey and reflects her lifelong commitment to justice, cultural pride, and community empowerment.
Rosie Castro
Maria del Rosario "Rosie" Castro is a revered civil rights activist, educator, and poet from San Antonio, Texas, whose decades-long commitment to justice has shaped the landscape of Latino political empowerment. A founding force in organizations like the Mexican American Youth Organization and Raza Unida Party, she has championed grassroots activism and public service while inspiring a new generation of leaders, including her sons, Julian and Joaquin Castro. Rosie continues to advocate for equity through her involvement in local and national organizations, leaving an enduring legacy of civic engagement and cultural pride.
Monica D. Cruz, Ph.D.
Monica D. Cruz is an applied demographer and public affairs professional with over 20
years of experience in demographic research, civic engagement, and social policy. She currently serves as the State Data Center Lead at the Texas Demographic Center and provides data analysis and legislative outreach on demographic and socioeconomic trends across the state. She is currently serving on the national steering committee of the U.S. Census Bureau’s State Data Center network.
Dr. Cruz's career spans leadership roles in higher education, state and local
government, and nonprofit organizations, with a strong focus on public service and
community health. At the University of the Incarnate Word, she led the Ettling Center for
Civic Leadership, connecting students with over 20 community partners and launching
initiatives in health and community engagement. Her earlier work includes directing workforce development programs for the City of San Antonio and coordinating policy research for the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
An experienced educator, Dr. Cruz has taught public administration, political science,
and research methods at St. Mary’s University and the University of the Incarnate Word. Her research interests include housing, economic development, poverty, and employment. She is an active civic leader on several advisory committees supporting housing initiatives and census data use.
Susana Lopez-Krulevitch
Susana Lopez-Krulevitch recently returned to her hometown of San Antonio
after 21 years in Northern California, where she developed award-winning
programs for underserved students and remained deeply committed to
community empowerment. A former attorney and the first executive director of
Hispanas Unidas in the 1990’s, she has served on numerous local boards and
was recognized as one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. She is excited to continue the work she began before leaving—advocating for social justice, educational equity, and community engagement in San Antonio.
Dr. Valerie A. Martínez
Dr. Valerie A. Martínez specializes in 20th Century Mexican American history, U.S. Military and Labor History, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Her National Endowment for the Humanities-funded project, Embajadoras: Latina Servicewomen and Hemispheric Politics during World War II, reconceptualizes traditional notions of diplomacy and international actors by investigating how the recruitment and service of Latina women in the Benito Juárez Squadron during World War II embodied the Pan-American ideal of an imagined hemispheric system of unity and reciprocity in the Americas. Her transnational research in both Mexico and the US has been
funded by several entities. She is also the co-recipient of an NEH grant to create an oral history project dedicated to women veterans, a core member of the Ethnic Studies Network of Texas, and the chair of the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies Tejas-Foco pre-K – 12
Committee. Dr. Martínez is currently an Associate Professor of History and the First-Second Year Experience Coordinator at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.
Vanessa “Vane” Padrón
A proud first-generation Mexican American, Vane Padrón is deeply inspired by her heritage and her love for Mexico. She has traveled extensively throughout Mexico, across 34 U.S. states, and internationally, experiences that have shaped her passion for culture, community, and connection. In 2024, she helped organize the Hispanas Unidas 40th Anniversary Conference,
bringing together hundreds of women to celebrate leadership, mentorship, and empowerment.
Vane’s career centers on fostering meaningful relationships between institutions, students, and the broader community through thoughtful event planning and engagement. She believes in the
power of gathering people to share stories, celebrate heritage, and create lasting impact. Vane is currently the Assistant Director of Events and Special Projects for The University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries and Museums, where she leads donor and community engagement initiatives that strengthen the university’s connection to the people it serves.
Bernadette Peña
Bernadette Peña is an artist, cultural worker, and social entrepreneur from San Antonio, Texas, whose work blends visual storytelling with community empowerment. As the owner and Creative Director of Miella Media, she promotes cultural identity and literacy through initiatives like Nuestra Gente: A Tribute to Hispanic Innovators and Dreamers™, Brava: A Celebration of Women™, and Vivan Los Niños. A former banking executive and national event producer, Peña now leads creative collaborations with arts, youth, and civic organizations to support equitable
programming in underserved communities. She serves on several boards, including Mission TIRZ, Hispanas Unidas, and KLRN, and is a member of NALAC and the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas. Her work has been widely exhibited and honored, including recognition from the Hispanic Women’s Network and Latina Style. Peña’s installations—such as San Antonio Stories—reflect her commitment to celebrating diverse voices and encouraging all to embrace the story within.
Andrea Robinson
Andrea Robinson is an Afro-Latina polyglot and proud San Antonio native. She aspires to become a human rights attorney and servant leader. Andrea has participated in international mission trips, fed the homeless, and taught art to underserved children. At just 13 years old, she co-presented at the 2024 Hispanas Unidas Conference in the session, “Navigating Identity: The Mixed-
Race/Ethnicity Latina Experience.” A passionate reader and writer, Andrea is
driven by a deep commitment to justice, creativity, and community.
Carmen Velasquez
Carmen Velasquez-Avila has served the students, faculty, staff and community of Palo Alto College (PAC) for over twenty years. Since joining the college in 2002, she has served in multiple college-wide leadership positions, including Advising Team Lead, Director of Student Life and currently Director of Student Advocacy. In addition, she co-founded PAC LeadHERs, a program that aims to empower and inspire female students by connecting them with experienced mentors.
In her current position, she works alongside colleagues to provide wraparound
services to the PAC community that include food assistance, clothing, housing, mental
health counseling, financial and wellness resources. Under her leadership, the
advocacy center has provided over $11 million in financial resources and program
services. Her dedication to empowering students and advocating on their behalf has
earned her several college and district-wide recognitions.
Jane Velasquez
Jane Velasquez is a respected community leader and lifelong civil rights advocate whose journey began as a migrant worker and evolved into a distinguished career in public service and education. A dedicated voice for women’s empowerment and Hispanic unity, she helped organize the first
Hispanas Unidas Conference in 1984. Jane’s enduring commitment to civic engagement and political activism continues the legacy she built alongside her late husband, civil rights leader William Cardenas Velasquez.
Alejandra I. Villarreal
Alejandra I. Villarreal is a devoted public servant and attorney whose career has advanced equity and opportunity in San Antonio. A graduate of St. Mary’s University and Law School, she has held influential roles, including Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at the San Antonio Housing Authority and President of the St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association. Now retired, Alejandra continues to serve her community through Nico’s Dream, a nonprofit supporting pediatric cancer research, and has remained actively connected to Hispanas Unidas for over 40 years.