Friday, December 9, 2011
Cosmopolitan Magazine Announces Strategy to Reach Hispanic Market
Includes Stand-Alone Edition to Launch May 2012
NEW YORK, NY, Dec 09, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Cosmopolitan, the best-selling young women's magazine in the U.S., announced today that the title is creating a strategy to help advertisers reach the growing Hispanic market.
"Today, Cosmo reaches nearly one in four Hispanic women in the U.S. over the age of 18 and is the number one monthly magazine in English that reaches Latinas," said Donna Kalajian Lagani, SVP, publishing director and chief revenue officer of Cosmopolitan. "Advertisers are focusing sharply on the Hispanic market, but the untold story is that the new generation of Latina is consuming her media in English, and is looking for content that is just for her. We feel that Cosmo is uniquely positioned to help advertisers reach this audience."
The magazine is creating a Cosmo-branded editorial package aimed at the English-speaking Hispanic audience that will include a twice-yearly stand-alone print and digital edition called Cosmopolitan Latina to launch in May 2012, as well as bonus content in targeted copies of the monthly edition of Cosmo.
Michelle Herrera Mulligan has been tapped as editor of the stand-alone edition. Most recently the managing editor of LasFabulosas.com, Herrera Mulligan is a journalist with 10 years of experience capturing the surging Latina voice in the U.S.
"I'm thrilled to be part of this project," said Herrera Mulligan. "By speaking our bicultural language, Cosmo shows that it's in touch with the exploding Latino demographic. And who better to celebrate the indomitable Latina spirit than the Fun, Fearless, Female?"
"Launching new businesses that address the ever-changing needs of consumers is something that we do especially well," said David Carey, president of Hearst Magazines. "Cosmopolitan is taking a smart step into the future by focusing on a growing segment of the population that is eager for media that speaks to them."
To kick off the initiative, Cosmopolitan is partnering with Aegis Media's Carat to share key findings from a groundbreaking new research study, CCS Latino, with the media community. "The research clearly shows that there is a sizable segment of the female Hispanic population that feels strongly about both their Latina and American sides," said Laura Hernandez, SVP, multicultural, Carat. "She is making strong, independent brand choices, and traditional Latino channels are not meeting her media needs. As we continue seeing the evolution to 'Total Market,' this is the kind of untapped opportunity for the media community that Cosmo is taking a pioneering role in."
The study includes insights into behavior, affinity and purchasing patterns, and will be unveiled at a breakfast at the Hearst Tower today.
About Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan ( www.cosmopolitan.com ) is the best-selling young women's magazine in the U.S., a bible for fun, fearless females that reaches more than 18 million readers a month. Cosmopolitan delivers the latest news on men and love, fashion and beauty, women's health and self-improvement, and entertainment. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with Cosmopolitan.com, reaching 4 million unique users a month. Cosmopolitan is also available on apps for the iPhone and iPad, and via Cosmo Radio, the only magazine-branded radio channel of its kind, available on Sirius XM Channel 109. In addition to the U.S. flagship, Cosmopolitan publishes 64 print magazine editions around the world. Cosmopolitan is published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation ( www.hearst.com ), one of the nation's largest diversified communications companies. With its acquisition of Lagardere SCA's 100 titles in 14 countries outside of France, Hearst Magazines now publishes more than 300 editions around the world, including 20 U.S. titles. Hearst Magazines the largest publisher of monthly magazines in the U.S. (ABC 2011) and reaches 87 million adults (Spring 2011 MRI).
About Carat USA Carat USA, an Aegis Media Group company, is a global independent media communications network, with over 100 offices in over 80 countries. Carat provides a full range of services, including media and market research; communications planning; media planning and buying; multicultural communications; corporate trade; branded entertainment; direct and digital marketing; experiential and sponsorship services; and marketing analytics and consulting.
About the Study & Methodology The Carat Hispanic Consumer Connection Study, referred to as CCS Latino, is a proprietary study to measure Hispanic's lifestyles, attitudes, passions, media use including digital, social and mobile as well as overall advertising receptivity. It originated with a custom survey questionnaire administered to a total of 2,019 Hispanic adults ages 18 and older, with 1,519 administered online to a random set of respondents and 500 collected via a telephone re-contact methodology. The telephone re-contact sample was randomly selected among prior respondents to the Experian Simmons NCS/NHCS survey and included Spanish dominant Hispanics and English dominant/bilingual Hispanics. Responses were then modeled against Simmons NCS/NHCS survey of nearly 7,000 consumers.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
An online place for Latina moms
CafeMom Announces Founding Corporate Sponsors for Mamas Latinas, Its New Bilingual Online Destination for Hispanic Moms
Top Hispanic Industry Veterans Hired for Key Leadership Positions
NEW YORK,NY -- CafeMom has announced the launch partners for Mamas Latinas (www.mamaslatinas.com), its web destination catering to Hispanic moms which will launch in January, 2012. Moms can now pre-register at mamaslatinas.com and view a series of "Soy Mama Latina" videos featuring Latina moms sharing their unique stories and perspectives on raising their children in the U.S.
Founding partners include Chevrolet, General Mills, Kmart, and Sears. To support the new website, CafeMom also announced several key hires for the Mamas Latinas executive team.
"We are thrilled to be launching Mamas Latinas in collaboration with these great brands that have been consistently committed to reaching and connecting with Hispanic consumers," said CafeMom CEO, Michael Sanchez. "With the support of these companies, we look forward to creating a groundbreaking destination that will add value to the lives of millions of Hispanic moms."
Founding partners will be fundamentally integrated into the site experience, adding value to moms' lives through the development of active communities, compelling content, and great deals. Word of mouth initiatives and private insights platforms add to the level of custom programs, unprecedented in Hispanic marketing.
"Both Kmart and Sears recognize how critical Hispanic moms are to the success of our businesses," said Andrew Stein, VP of Marketing Planning for Sears and Kmart. "By 2014, one in four moms online will be Hispanic - as an influential and underserved group of consumers we want to make sure we fill their specialized needs. We are delighted to partner with CafeMom and Mamas Latinas to deliver this compelling platform for this important consumer."
Leading the effort is Mamas Latinas Co-founder and EVP Lucia Ballas-Traynor, a 25-year Hispanic media veteran who has been at the helm of leading brands such as Univision's Galavision, MTV Tr3s and most recently People en Espanol, the top selling Hispanic magazine in the U.S. Three well-known industry leaders will join Ballas-Traynor on the executive team. -- Johanna Torres -- Editor-in-Chief -- is a leading multi-media editor, journalist and producer with deep experience in the U.S. Hispanic media market. Torres has served as Editor-in-Chief for national publications like Ser Padres and Lamaze, and as Founding Editor of Meredith's Siempre Mujer magazine, one of the top three leading Hispanic magazines in the U.S. Torres also founded Mi Blogazine, a lifestyle blog for Latinas. She also serves as Lifestyle Expert and Blogger for outlets such as AOL Latino, and regularly appears as a guest on CNN en Espanol's NotiMujer, Univision, Telemundo, and Yahoo's De Moda.
-- Stacey C. Rivera -- Managing Editor -- joins the team from Latina Media Ventures, where she worked as Digital Content Director, responsible for the day-to-day management of Latina.com, the website owned by Latina magazine, the leading English-language lifestyle magazine for Hispanic women. Rivera's work with top Latino celebrities to create original video and social media content lead to significant increases in traffic to Latina.com. During her career, Rivera has served as managing editor at Hallmark Magazine, Stuff magazine, and Hamptons Country.
-- Andrea Slodowicz -- VP, Marketing -- is a Hispanic industry leader in consumer communication and innovation. As VP Director of Strategy and Content Development for Starcom MediaVest Group Multicultural, Slodowicz was responsible for the development of award-winning, ownable ideas and custom implementation for top 500 advertisers, such as Kraft, Post, Avon, Comcast, Heineken, and Wendy's. During her 10 year tenure with the agency, she also directed strategic media planning across Tapestry and MV42's for an esteemed client roster. Slodowicz has been recognized for her innovative multicultural marketing with numerous prestigious awards including AdAgeMagazine's "25 Twenty Somethings" and Media Magazine's "The New Media DNA".
"I am delighted to lead a team of such seasoned and talented Hispanic market veterans," says Ballas-Traynor. "They all have a deep understanding of Hispanic moms as well as what kind of conversations, content and offerings that engage and moves them. Most importantly, they are all as passionate as I am about the opportunity to create a rich destination where Hispanic moms can connect over their common culture, heritage, and life experiences."
About Mamas Latinas: Launching in January 2012, Mamas Latinas is poised to become the leading and most trusted bilingual online destination dedicated to connecting, informing, entertaining and empowering Latina moms by super-serving their culturally unique interests and needs. At the core of Mamas Latinas will be a dynamic community offering, engaging and targeted editorial content, and entertaining diversions like games.
About CafeMom: Launched in late 2006, CafeMom is the number one site on the internet for moms and the premier strategic marketing partner to brands that want to reach moms in a rapidly changing digital environment. CafeMom reaches more than 9MM unique visitors per month on CafeMom.com and 23MM+ unique visitors per month on CafeMom Plus (comScore, Sept. 2011), a boutique network of sites that reach moms and parents. CafeMom is also the leader in developing custom programs for top brands that want to connect with and understand moms online. In May 2011, CafeMom extended its offering beyond community and content and into commerce by launching Mom.com, a local daily deals site targeted to moms and their families. CafeMom lead investors are Highland Capital Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The company was founded by Andrew Shue and Michael Sanchez.
SOURCE: CafeMom
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Latina appointed to Education Board
Lockheed Martin Vice President Maria E. Ruess Confirmed to Barry Goldwater Foundation Board of Trustees
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Maria E. Ruess, a Lockheed Martin vice president of business development, will serve on the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation Board of Trustees. She was nominated by President Barack Obama in May and recently confirmed by the Senate.
Since joining Lockheed Martin in 1999, Ruess has held various positions of increasing responsibility in business development, program management, engineering and finance. In May, Ruess was named vice president for international business development and strategy within the Mission Systems & Sensors business, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was formed by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater. The organization encourages outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering and awards scholarships to undergraduate sophomores and juniors from the U.S.
Ruess has more than 20 years of experience supporting professional development with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). A former teacher at Saint Bernard's High School in Los Angeles and a Hands on Science Outreach volunteer at her local school, Ruess continues to mentor students through organizations such as the Hispanic College Fund and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and is a board member of Great Minds in STEM(TM). She is also an active leader in many Lockheed Martin organizations including the Women's Success Forum, the Executive Diversity Council and the Hispanic Mentoring and Leadership Association, as well as the chair of the Hispanic Leadership council.
Ruess was honored as one of the Most Influential Hispanics in Technology and Business from Career Communications Group, Inc. at a ceremony this summer. In 2009, she received the Pioneer Award from Great Minds in STEM, a non-profit organization that focuses on STEM educational awareness programs for students from kindergarten to careers.
Ruess received her bachelor's degree in engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali, Colombia, and earned her master's of business administration from George Washington University.
Lockheed Martin invests heavily in STEM education programs. In 2010 alone, the Corporation spent more than $12 million on K-12 and higher education programs and scholarships. Lockheed Martin employees also volunteered nearly 200,000 hours in education-related activities. Overall, Lockheed Martin delivered standards-based, STEM-related curriculum to 3.5 million students through direct classroom engagement of its employees and strategic education partnerships with NASA, National Geographic, and the National Science Foundation.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.
For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/ms2
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Maria E. Ruess, a Lockheed Martin vice president of business development, will serve on the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation Board of Trustees. She was nominated by President Barack Obama in May and recently confirmed by the Senate.
Since joining Lockheed Martin in 1999, Ruess has held various positions of increasing responsibility in business development, program management, engineering and finance. In May, Ruess was named vice president for international business development and strategy within the Mission Systems & Sensors business, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was formed by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater. The organization encourages outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering and awards scholarships to undergraduate sophomores and juniors from the U.S.
Ruess has more than 20 years of experience supporting professional development with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). A former teacher at Saint Bernard's High School in Los Angeles and a Hands on Science Outreach volunteer at her local school, Ruess continues to mentor students through organizations such as the Hispanic College Fund and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and is a board member of Great Minds in STEM(TM). She is also an active leader in many Lockheed Martin organizations including the Women's Success Forum, the Executive Diversity Council and the Hispanic Mentoring and Leadership Association, as well as the chair of the Hispanic Leadership council.
Ruess was honored as one of the Most Influential Hispanics in Technology and Business from Career Communications Group, Inc. at a ceremony this summer. In 2009, she received the Pioneer Award from Great Minds in STEM, a non-profit organization that focuses on STEM educational awareness programs for students from kindergarten to careers.
Ruess received her bachelor's degree in engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali, Colombia, and earned her master's of business administration from George Washington University.
Lockheed Martin invests heavily in STEM education programs. In 2010 alone, the Corporation spent more than $12 million on K-12 and higher education programs and scholarships. Lockheed Martin employees also volunteered nearly 200,000 hours in education-related activities. Overall, Lockheed Martin delivered standards-based, STEM-related curriculum to 3.5 million students through direct classroom engagement of its employees and strategic education partnerships with NASA, National Geographic, and the National Science Foundation.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.
For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/ms2
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Latina serves as COO of the NTI Administration
With experience as an attorney and with the FCC, Anna Gomez is ideal for her position as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Anna Gomez is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and the Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
As Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, I serve essentially as the Chief Operating Officer of the agency. Though much of my time is spent on management, I also work on public policy, especially the challenges of expanding broadband Internet use in underserved communities and improving communications for the nation’s first responders. I am honored to play a role in addressing issues that are so vital to our nation’s safety and economic future.
My career path began early. I was born in the United States but spent most of my childhood in Bogota, Colombia, where my father’s family lives. I knew since childhood that I would one day become a lawyer because my mother always told me so. (I would like to think that she recognized in me a precocious talent for logic and deduction, but she was actually commenting on my willingness to argue a point!) I returned to the United States as a teen and did indeed go to law school. I am glad that I did because the law is a good foundation for a career in public service, though it is certainly not mandatory.
My first full-time job was in the litigation group of a law firm. I enjoyed it but wanted to practice communications law instead. While at the firm, I ran the D.C. Hispanic Bar Association’s mentoring program for Hispanic law students. It brought me to the attention of a partner at the firm, who soon went to work at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
I joined her at the FCC, where my communications policy work began.
I worked at the FCC for 12 years, serving in various management positions, including Senior Legal Advisor to former FCC Chairman William Kennard. In between positions at the FCC, I served as a staffer on Capitol Hill and at the National Economic Council. Before returning to government in 2009, I also worked several years in the telecommunications industry.
The communications policy field is interesting because it is dynamic and it affects so many aspects of daily life. When I started at the FCC, I handled issues involving payphones, new area codes, and toll-free numbers. Now I deal with broadband and Internet policy. In another decade, we may be grappling with a new set of challenges.
One challenge that I am determined we overcome is the Internet adoption gap, which persists along historic demographic lines. It has been roughly 15 years since the term “digital divide” gained national attention, but more than 28 percent of people in the United States still do not use the Internet. The situation is even worse for Latinos, who significantly lag the national broadband adoption rate. NTIA is active on various fronts to address this problem, and that is one of the most rewarding aspects of working here. The Obama Administration is committed to increasing broadband access and adoption in the U.S., which is a key ingredient for job creation and sustainable economic growth.
My career advice to young Hispanics is to pursue your passion and work hard. Volunteer for assignments, and perform them well. Join professional associations where you can help others. If you roll up your sleeves and do a good job with a positive attitude, you will be noticed.
Last, when facing an obstacle at work, I often think of advice that former Attorney General Janet Reno gave in remarks before the D.C. Hispanic Bar Association. She told us, “Don't lose your idealism.” That is especially good advice for anyone in public service. What we do can be challenging, and we must remind ourselves of why we are here. But no matter what path you choose, I hope it is one that has meaning for you.
Anna M. Gomez |
As Deputy Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, I serve essentially as the Chief Operating Officer of the agency. Though much of my time is spent on management, I also work on public policy, especially the challenges of expanding broadband Internet use in underserved communities and improving communications for the nation’s first responders. I am honored to play a role in addressing issues that are so vital to our nation’s safety and economic future.
My career path began early. I was born in the United States but spent most of my childhood in Bogota, Colombia, where my father’s family lives. I knew since childhood that I would one day become a lawyer because my mother always told me so. (I would like to think that she recognized in me a precocious talent for logic and deduction, but she was actually commenting on my willingness to argue a point!) I returned to the United States as a teen and did indeed go to law school. I am glad that I did because the law is a good foundation for a career in public service, though it is certainly not mandatory.
My first full-time job was in the litigation group of a law firm. I enjoyed it but wanted to practice communications law instead. While at the firm, I ran the D.C. Hispanic Bar Association’s mentoring program for Hispanic law students. It brought me to the attention of a partner at the firm, who soon went to work at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
I joined her at the FCC, where my communications policy work began.
I worked at the FCC for 12 years, serving in various management positions, including Senior Legal Advisor to former FCC Chairman William Kennard. In between positions at the FCC, I served as a staffer on Capitol Hill and at the National Economic Council. Before returning to government in 2009, I also worked several years in the telecommunications industry.
The communications policy field is interesting because it is dynamic and it affects so many aspects of daily life. When I started at the FCC, I handled issues involving payphones, new area codes, and toll-free numbers. Now I deal with broadband and Internet policy. In another decade, we may be grappling with a new set of challenges.
One challenge that I am determined we overcome is the Internet adoption gap, which persists along historic demographic lines. It has been roughly 15 years since the term “digital divide” gained national attention, but more than 28 percent of people in the United States still do not use the Internet. The situation is even worse for Latinos, who significantly lag the national broadband adoption rate. NTIA is active on various fronts to address this problem, and that is one of the most rewarding aspects of working here. The Obama Administration is committed to increasing broadband access and adoption in the U.S., which is a key ingredient for job creation and sustainable economic growth.
My career advice to young Hispanics is to pursue your passion and work hard. Volunteer for assignments, and perform them well. Join professional associations where you can help others. If you roll up your sleeves and do a good job with a positive attitude, you will be noticed.
Last, when facing an obstacle at work, I often think of advice that former Attorney General Janet Reno gave in remarks before the D.C. Hispanic Bar Association. She told us, “Don't lose your idealism.” That is especially good advice for anyone in public service. What we do can be challenging, and we must remind ourselves of why we are here. But no matter what path you choose, I hope it is one that has meaning for you.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Macy's Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Macy's partners with Latina Magazine and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund for special events, incredible internships and model searches nationwide to celebrate Latino culture and accomplishments
NEW YORK, NY -- This fall, Macy's celebrates Latino-Americans with partners Latina magazine, the nation's leading beauty/fashion and lifestyle brand for acculturated Latinas, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. From special events nationwide to once-in-a-lifetime internship opportunities, Macy's joins Latinos across the country in celebration of Hispanic heritage, culture and achievement.
"Macy's is delighted to once again celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a host of in-store special events and partnerships," said Dineen Garcia, Macy's vice-president of Diversity Strategies. "In celebration of Latina magazine's 15th anniversary and in support of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Generation 1st Degree initiative, we hope to entertain, empower and build upon the legacy of success in the Latino community."
"For 15 years, our mission has been to promote the advancement of U.S.-born Hispanic women," says Galina Espinoza, co-president and editorial director of Latina Media Ventures. "And so we are thrilled to partner with Macy's on a program that provides such exciting opportunities for Latinas, particularly in the area of education."
Ahead of the in-store Hispanic Heritage Month events, Macy's, in conjunction with Latina magazine, will hold a special model search in 10 cities nationwide. For budding runway models, this will be a fantastic opportunity to be chosen to strut the catwalk in front of their peers and special guests wearing the latest in back-to-school and fall fashion attire. The 10 model searches will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17 from Noon -- 5 p.m. at Macy's Dadeland (Miami), Fashion Valley (San Diego), Houston Galleria at Hidalgo (Houston), Lenox Square (Atlanta), North Star (San Antonio), Queens Center (New York), State Street (Chicago), Valley Fair (San Francisco), West Covina (Los Angeles), and Wheaton (Baltimore/Washington, DC area). At each model casting 8-10 Hispanic models will be selected to participate in the store's upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month event in addition to receiving a $100 Macy's gift card. Of the models chosen in all 10 markets, four of them will be selected as the top models and will collect an additional Macy's gift card, worth up to $1000, to begin school in style.
In support of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's goal of dramatically increasing the number of Hispanic college graduates, Macy's is teaming up with the Fund to award one scholarship recipient with a nine-week paid summer internship within Macy's Marketing department in 2012. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund's national initiative, Generation 1st Degree, has an exemplary goal to ensure that every Latino household has at least one college degree by 2025. Macy's and the HSF will select the internship winner from those who apply nationwide and will also offer a $1000 Wardrobe Scholarship to kick-off the summer job with appropriate business attire.
"We are pleased with this effort to give Latinos the opportunity to pursue their dreams and succeed professionally," said Frank D. Alvarez, Hispanic Scholarship Fund president and CEO. "We appreciate Macy's commitment to improve the lives of future generations of Hispanic Americans."
Latina magazine will also offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one lucky student to win an all-expense paid trip to New York City to intern at the magazine for one week. During the exciting internship, the winner will learn the basics of magazine publishing, lunch with Latina magazine's editorial director and/or publisher and enjoy a $1000 shopping spree provided by Macy's with the publication's fashion and beauty editors.
To mark Latina magazine's 15th anniversary, Macy's will host a series of special events in-store that will reinforce the transformative power of education. The celebratory cocktail events in 10 cities will be hosted at select locations by Latina editors Kate Sandoval and Verky Arcos, as well as contributors Lauren Consenza and Jackie Gomez. Each will feature Latina magazine's fashion and style expertise, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's innovative programs and of course, fun back-to-school and fall fashions as modeled by our Latina Model Search winners. In addition, Lancome will offer attendees quick touch-ups and tutorials on the latest makeup offerings.
About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. M -0.94% , delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks(R) and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R), as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers.
About Latina Media Ventures
Latina is the leading monthly lifestyle, entertainment, beauty and fashion magazine for acculturated Hispanic women. Along with its daily online destination Latina.com, Latina has a combined audience of 3 million. The magazine and website are the flagship properties of Latina Media Ventures LLC, a multimedia company that has been a voice of authority for this fast-growing audience for 15 years. Latina was named to Adweek's "Hot List" in 2000 & 2001 and named Best Magazine by Advertising Age in 2000.
About Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund believes that the country prospers when all Americans have access to the opportunities a college education can afford. As the nation's leading Hispanic higher education fund, HSF works to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree. HSF has awarded over $330 million in scholarships over the past 36 years and has supported a broad range of outreach and education programs to help students and their families navigate collegiate life, from gaining admission and securing financial aid to finding employment after graduation. HSF envisions a future where every Latino household will have at least one college graduate, creating an enduring impact on the college outlook of Latino families nationwide, and strengthening the American economy for generations to come. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: www.HSF.net .
SOURCE: Macy's, Inc.
NEW YORK, NY -- This fall, Macy's celebrates Latino-Americans with partners Latina magazine, the nation's leading beauty/fashion and lifestyle brand for acculturated Latinas, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. From special events nationwide to once-in-a-lifetime internship opportunities, Macy's joins Latinos across the country in celebration of Hispanic heritage, culture and achievement.
"Macy's is delighted to once again celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a host of in-store special events and partnerships," said Dineen Garcia, Macy's vice-president of Diversity Strategies. "In celebration of Latina magazine's 15th anniversary and in support of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Generation 1st Degree initiative, we hope to entertain, empower and build upon the legacy of success in the Latino community."
"For 15 years, our mission has been to promote the advancement of U.S.-born Hispanic women," says Galina Espinoza, co-president and editorial director of Latina Media Ventures. "And so we are thrilled to partner with Macy's on a program that provides such exciting opportunities for Latinas, particularly in the area of education."
Ahead of the in-store Hispanic Heritage Month events, Macy's, in conjunction with Latina magazine, will hold a special model search in 10 cities nationwide. For budding runway models, this will be a fantastic opportunity to be chosen to strut the catwalk in front of their peers and special guests wearing the latest in back-to-school and fall fashion attire. The 10 model searches will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17 from Noon -- 5 p.m. at Macy's Dadeland (Miami), Fashion Valley (San Diego), Houston Galleria at Hidalgo (Houston), Lenox Square (Atlanta), North Star (San Antonio), Queens Center (New York), State Street (Chicago), Valley Fair (San Francisco), West Covina (Los Angeles), and Wheaton (Baltimore/Washington, DC area). At each model casting 8-10 Hispanic models will be selected to participate in the store's upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month event in addition to receiving a $100 Macy's gift card. Of the models chosen in all 10 markets, four of them will be selected as the top models and will collect an additional Macy's gift card, worth up to $1000, to begin school in style.
In support of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's goal of dramatically increasing the number of Hispanic college graduates, Macy's is teaming up with the Fund to award one scholarship recipient with a nine-week paid summer internship within Macy's Marketing department in 2012. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund's national initiative, Generation 1st Degree, has an exemplary goal to ensure that every Latino household has at least one college degree by 2025. Macy's and the HSF will select the internship winner from those who apply nationwide and will also offer a $1000 Wardrobe Scholarship to kick-off the summer job with appropriate business attire.
"We are pleased with this effort to give Latinos the opportunity to pursue their dreams and succeed professionally," said Frank D. Alvarez, Hispanic Scholarship Fund president and CEO. "We appreciate Macy's commitment to improve the lives of future generations of Hispanic Americans."
Latina magazine will also offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one lucky student to win an all-expense paid trip to New York City to intern at the magazine for one week. During the exciting internship, the winner will learn the basics of magazine publishing, lunch with Latina magazine's editorial director and/or publisher and enjoy a $1000 shopping spree provided by Macy's with the publication's fashion and beauty editors.
To mark Latina magazine's 15th anniversary, Macy's will host a series of special events in-store that will reinforce the transformative power of education. The celebratory cocktail events in 10 cities will be hosted at select locations by Latina editors Kate Sandoval and Verky Arcos, as well as contributors Lauren Consenza and Jackie Gomez. Each will feature Latina magazine's fashion and style expertise, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's innovative programs and of course, fun back-to-school and fall fashions as modeled by our Latina Model Search winners. In addition, Lancome will offer attendees quick touch-ups and tutorials on the latest makeup offerings.
- Macy's Hispanic Heritage Month events will take place at:
- Macy's Wheaton (Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area) -- Sept. 24, 2 p.m.
- Macy's Lenox Square (Atlanta) -- Oct. 1, 2 p.m.
- Macy's Queens Center (New York) -- Oct. 1, 2 p.m.
- Macy's Fashion Valley (San Diego) -- Oct. 6, 6 p.m.
- Macy's North Star (San Antonio) -- Oct. 8, 2 p.m.
- Macy's West Covina (Los Angeles) -- Oct. 8, 2 p.m.
- Macy's Houston Galleria at Hidalgo (Houston) -- Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m.
- Macy's State Street (Chicago) -- Oct. 13, 5:30 p.m.
- Macy's Dadeland (Miami) -- Oct. 15, 2 p.m.
- Macy's Valley Fair (San Francisco) -- Oct. 15, 2 p.m.
About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. M -0.94% , delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks(R) and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R), as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers.
About Latina Media Ventures
Latina is the leading monthly lifestyle, entertainment, beauty and fashion magazine for acculturated Hispanic women. Along with its daily online destination Latina.com, Latina has a combined audience of 3 million. The magazine and website are the flagship properties of Latina Media Ventures LLC, a multimedia company that has been a voice of authority for this fast-growing audience for 15 years. Latina was named to Adweek's "Hot List" in 2000 & 2001 and named Best Magazine by Advertising Age in 2000.
About Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund believes that the country prospers when all Americans have access to the opportunities a college education can afford. As the nation's leading Hispanic higher education fund, HSF works to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree. HSF has awarded over $330 million in scholarships over the past 36 years and has supported a broad range of outreach and education programs to help students and their families navigate collegiate life, from gaining admission and securing financial aid to finding employment after graduation. HSF envisions a future where every Latino household will have at least one college graduate, creating an enduring impact on the college outlook of Latino families nationwide, and strengthening the American economy for generations to come. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: www.HSF.net .
SOURCE: Macy's, Inc.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Promotoras Influences Health Consciousness In Hispanic Communities
By Aziz Ali on August 30, 2011
35 Reactions and Comments
The Patient Navigator Research Program brings together healthcare workers to assist Hispanic families in dealing with various health issues, but focuses extensively on cancer patients. It is being funded by the National Cancer Institute and LIVESTRONG, Lance Armstrong’s Foundation. According to Hispanic Trending:
Bilingual, bicultural patient navigators are stationed at cancer centers in a handful of U.S. cities with large Latino populations. They’re helping Hispanics with cancer fill out important medical forms, make doctor’s appointments and arrange transportation for treatment.
Interestingly, these workers are not professionals. The Latino Leadership Council frames these individuals as trusted, well-connected community members and pins their creation on the fact that there is a lot of mistrust between the Latino community and health care and social service providers. Many times this stems from negative past experiences, a sense of discrimination or even concern over documentation status.
Promotoras (or Patient Navigators) help bridge the gap between organizations and agencies and the communities they service.
As the video shows, Promotoras are a unique form of influencers in the Hispanic community, seen as experts without the rigid formality that everyone encounters in the healthcare system. This is a great initiative that can be conceivably useful for other underprivileged, non-English minorities in America.
The Patient Navigator Research Program
via PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2011/08/promotoras-influences-health-consciousness-in-hispanic-communities.html#ixzz1Wcqi83fy
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Cervical Cancer for Latinas is twice as high
Cuidate. Armate. Educate. Latinas for Cervical Cancer Prevention Campaign is launched.
NEW YORK, NY -- According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 10,000 cases and 3,700 deaths from cervical cancer in the U.S. per year.
The incidence of cervical cancer for Latina women in the United States is almost twice as high as non-Latina white women. Latina women have the 2nd highest mortality rate from cervical cancer (after black women).
Cervical cancer is very preventable. 85% of women who die from cervical cancer never had a pap smear.
In June 2006, the FDA approved the first vaccine, Gardasil®, manufactured by Merck & Company, developed to prevent cervical cancer caused by four strains of HPV; two of which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer incidences and two strains which are responsible for 90% of genital warts caused by HPV.
Campaign Wrap-Up!
Many Latina Advocacy Networks of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and other affiliated organizations around the country have been hosting great events related to the Cuídate. Ármate. Edúcate. Latinas for Cervical Cancer Prevention Campaign. Read more.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. CUÍDATE
Take care of yourself and the women in your life. Make sure you get regular pap smears and screenings for sexually transmitted infections.
Help the women in your community access reproductive health care services. Create a resource guide to help women get pap smears and learn how to get the HPV vaccine.
2. ÁRMATE
Ensure that you and others in your community are armed with the important tools needed to prevent cervical cancer. Support initiatives on the local and state level that expand public funding for cervical cancer screenings and access to the HPV vaccine.
Use the Cuídate. Ármate. Edúcate. Postcard and spread the word about cervical cancer prevention. Send the postcard to your friends, family and local decision makers (teachers, neighbors, local officials, community leaders) and start the discussion about cervical cancer and HPV.
3. EDÚCATE
Educate yourself about cervical cancer and HPV, and share that information with the people in your life, family and community.
Host a cafecito and invite community members to talk about cervical cancer, HPV and the vaccine. See the Cafecito guide for more information and tips for your cafecito.
Resources: Human Papillomavirus, Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)
Latinas and Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet (Spanish)
NLIRH Statement on the HPV vaccine (Spanish)
NEW YORK, NY -- According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 10,000 cases and 3,700 deaths from cervical cancer in the U.S. per year.
The incidence of cervical cancer for Latina women in the United States is almost twice as high as non-Latina white women. Latina women have the 2nd highest mortality rate from cervical cancer (after black women).
Cervical cancer is very preventable. 85% of women who die from cervical cancer never had a pap smear.
In June 2006, the FDA approved the first vaccine, Gardasil®, manufactured by Merck & Company, developed to prevent cervical cancer caused by four strains of HPV; two of which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer incidences and two strains which are responsible for 90% of genital warts caused by HPV.
Campaign Wrap-Up!
Many Latina Advocacy Networks of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and other affiliated organizations around the country have been hosting great events related to the Cuídate. Ármate. Edúcate. Latinas for Cervical Cancer Prevention Campaign. Read more.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. CUÍDATE
Take care of yourself and the women in your life. Make sure you get regular pap smears and screenings for sexually transmitted infections.
Help the women in your community access reproductive health care services. Create a resource guide to help women get pap smears and learn how to get the HPV vaccine.
2. ÁRMATE
Ensure that you and others in your community are armed with the important tools needed to prevent cervical cancer. Support initiatives on the local and state level that expand public funding for cervical cancer screenings and access to the HPV vaccine.
Use the Cuídate. Ármate. Edúcate. Postcard and spread the word about cervical cancer prevention. Send the postcard to your friends, family and local decision makers (teachers, neighbors, local officials, community leaders) and start the discussion about cervical cancer and HPV.
3. EDÚCATE
Educate yourself about cervical cancer and HPV, and share that information with the people in your life, family and community.
Host a cafecito and invite community members to talk about cervical cancer, HPV and the vaccine. See the Cafecito guide for more information and tips for your cafecito.
Resources: Human Papillomavirus, Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)
Latinas and Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet (Spanish)
NLIRH Statement on the HPV vaccine (Spanish)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Latina picked as CEO for Girl Scouts
Ana Maria Chavez, a Mexican-American from Arizona, will be taking over the national Girl Scout's organization.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ana Marian Chavez |
Now, she will lead the nonprofit as it experiences an increase in participation by Hispanic girls in the U.S., even as its overall membership has decreased.
The New York-based Girl Scouts of the USA announced Wednesday it had selected Chavez as its new chief executive officer — the first Hispanic woman to serve in the position.
"We wanted to find someone who had a strong leadership story of her own whose journey in life could serve as a shining example for all of our girls," said Connie Lindsay, the national president of the organization and a member of the search committee.
Chavez, 43, has been the chief executive of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas since 2009. She will be taking over for CEO Kathy Cloninger, who is retiring after leading an overhaul of the leadership organization's programs and direction over the past eight years.
Chavez, born in Arizona, was raised in the small town of Eloy, about 50 miles northwest of Tucson, before the family moved to Phoenix. She said the experience of being a member of Girl Scout Troop 304 in Eloy was formative.
"One of my best friends came to school one day and said she was going to be a Girl Scout, and I decided that was for me, even though my family hadn't had a tradition of Girl Scouting," said Chavez, speaking by phone from San Antonio.
"The Girl Scout opportunity that went on from there really opened my eyes," she said.
Before working for the Girl Scouts, Chavez served as an urban affairs policy adviser to former Arizona governor and current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and for other state agencies involved in providing community services. She also worked for the federal government, including as chief of staff for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Government Contracting and Minority Enterprise Development.
The Girl Scouts is increasingly seeing its future in the growth of the Hispanic community.
The organization, founded in 1912, said it had noted a 55 percent increase in the number of Hispanic girls who have joined its ranks over the past 10 years. They now account for about 12 percent — or 272,000 girls — of the nearly 2.3 million girls who were Scouts in 2010.
In response to the growth of Hispanics among its membership, the Girl Scouts of the USA has redoubled its outreach to the community, including with bilingual public campaigns.
Overall, membership has declined by 14 percent since 2006, when there were 2.7 million Scouts, the organization said. It attributed the decline to the economy and a decrease in funding for large nonprofits.
Labels:
Ana Maria Chavez,
CEO of Girl Scouts,
Girl Scouts
Hispanic Nurse group awards $40k in scholarships
National Association of Hispanic Nurses Awards $40,000 in United Health Foundation Scholarships
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) awarded a total of $40,000 to eight NAHN student members enrolled in a baccalaureate or graduate nursing program at its recent 2011 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each student received a $5,000 Scholarship.
The United Health Foundation National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships, funded by a grant from United Health Foundation, aim to increase the number of qualified, bilingual/bicultural Hispanic/Latino student nurses. As the Hispanic population increases in the United States, the need for bilingual/bicultural Hispanic nurses rises. Of the more than 3 million registered nurses in the United States, only about 3.6 percent are Hispanic.
The following students were selected based on their outstanding academic achievements and commitment to the Hispanic community:
-- Maria Beltran, RN of New York;
-- Luz Marina Bradberry, BSN, RN of Arizona;
-- Lorraine Cuesta, MS, RN, ANP of Arizona;
-- Josephine Foley, BSN, RN, CCM, of Michigan;
-- Alessandra Gonzales of Texas;
-- Amy Hardy of Oregon;
-- Paulette Lizarraga of Arizona; and
-- David Sanchez, RN of California.
"We had a very strong group of students this year, four of whom are pursuing their Masters or Doctorate degrees in Nursing. These nurses will help expand the number of culturally competent Advance-Practice Nurses serving our diverse population," said NAHN President Angie Millan, RN, MSN, NP, CNS.
"With these scholarships, United Health Foundation is helping to address disparities in the nursing field to ensure that everyone, including diverse communities, has access to quality, culturally competent care. Partnering with a respected organization such as the National Association of Hispanic Nurses to create these scholarships is an effective way to help foster a more diverse health care workforce," said Kate Rubin, President, United Health Foundation.
About the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) is actively involved in issues affecting Hispanic nurses and the health of Hispanic communities on local, state, regional and national levels. The organization is committed to work toward providing equal access to education, professional and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses and to improving the health and nursing care for Hispanic consumers.
United Health Foundation Guided by a passion to help people live healthier lives, United Health Foundation provides helpful information to support decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. The Foundation also supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and partners with others to improve the well-being of communities. Since established by UnitedHealth Group in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation, the Foundation has committed more than $187 million to improve health and health care. For more information, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org .
SOURCE: National Association of Hispanic Nurses
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) awarded a total of $40,000 to eight NAHN student members enrolled in a baccalaureate or graduate nursing program at its recent 2011 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each student received a $5,000 Scholarship.
The United Health Foundation National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships, funded by a grant from United Health Foundation, aim to increase the number of qualified, bilingual/bicultural Hispanic/Latino student nurses. As the Hispanic population increases in the United States, the need for bilingual/bicultural Hispanic nurses rises. Of the more than 3 million registered nurses in the United States, only about 3.6 percent are Hispanic.
The following students were selected based on their outstanding academic achievements and commitment to the Hispanic community:
-- Maria Beltran, RN of New York;
-- Luz Marina Bradberry, BSN, RN of Arizona;
-- Lorraine Cuesta, MS, RN, ANP of Arizona;
-- Josephine Foley, BSN, RN, CCM, of Michigan;
-- Alessandra Gonzales of Texas;
-- Amy Hardy of Oregon;
-- Paulette Lizarraga of Arizona; and
-- David Sanchez, RN of California.
"We had a very strong group of students this year, four of whom are pursuing their Masters or Doctorate degrees in Nursing. These nurses will help expand the number of culturally competent Advance-Practice Nurses serving our diverse population," said NAHN President Angie Millan, RN, MSN, NP, CNS.
"With these scholarships, United Health Foundation is helping to address disparities in the nursing field to ensure that everyone, including diverse communities, has access to quality, culturally competent care. Partnering with a respected organization such as the National Association of Hispanic Nurses to create these scholarships is an effective way to help foster a more diverse health care workforce," said Kate Rubin, President, United Health Foundation.
About the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) is actively involved in issues affecting Hispanic nurses and the health of Hispanic communities on local, state, regional and national levels. The organization is committed to work toward providing equal access to education, professional and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses and to improving the health and nursing care for Hispanic consumers.
United Health Foundation Guided by a passion to help people live healthier lives, United Health Foundation provides helpful information to support decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. The Foundation also supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and partners with others to improve the well-being of communities. Since established by UnitedHealth Group in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation, the Foundation has committed more than $187 million to improve health and health care. For more information, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org .
SOURCE: National Association of Hispanic Nurses
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Latina boxer sets sight on Olympic gold
Marina Ramirez is a young woman with a vision…an Olympic vision.
By Adrian Perez
SACRAMENTO, CA -- With lightening speed, Marina pounds the punching bag as if to knock it from its hook at the Prime Time Boxing gym in Sacramento, California. Anyone standing close by can feel the power punches in the stomach that the number 2 nationally Ranked boxer lands on the bag. Stepping back, she pauses, looks at us, and flashes the smile of a pretty and shy girl.
Marina Ramirez is a young woman with a vision…an Olympic vision. At five-foot even and edging 112 pounds, her 4-hour daily training and hard-body tells you she means business. Her goal? To make the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Boxing Team. So what motivates the 21-year old to become a boxer?
“I really like it,” says Marina while beaming a smile. “It’s what I want to do and I’m good at it.”
And, she’s convincingly believable in the ring.
Born in the small community of Parma, Idaho, about 30 minutes outside of Boise, Marina grew up as an outdoor girl, riding horses (even a bull) and an athlete (running cross-country and playing basketball.) But, it was getting bullied that drove her to learn how to box.
“I learned to box to stop the bullying and found that I liked the sport,” she says. “I also beat up a couple of boys.”
Interestingly, the soft-spoken Latina does not pass as the image of a boxer, especially that created by other women boxers like Laila Ali, who has been inspiration for Marina.
“I work for the HardRock Café in Las Vegas,” says Marina. “I need to provide for myself, and that’s where I live. But, I’m a very nice person when I’m not in the ring.”
In fact, if anyone met Marina in the street, they would see her as a pretty and feminine young girl, unsuspecting of her real skills and power-punching abilities.
“I took karate, but I really like boxing,” she remarks.
Helping Marina in her corner is Cary Williams-Nunez, who is one of only three women in the nation trained to coach Olympic level boxing for women and owner of the Prime Time Boxing gym in Sacramento.
“There are only three weight classes for the women in the Olympics, 112 pounds, 134 pounds, and 164 pounds,” says Cary. “She’s fast and very determined and she’s our secret little weapon when we go to the Golden Gloves in Florida.”
Women’s boxing was added to the 2012 London Olympics by the International Olympics Committee, giving legitimacy to the sport, which has had limited exposure having been limited only to the professional ranks.
“I have dedicated my life to boxing,” says Marina. “I used to drive 30 miles from where I lived (in Idaho) to a boxing gym when I first started.”
Marina won her first amateur fight, which gave her additional motivation to continue and has since collected 30 fights, raising the eyebrow of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Boxing team coaches.
“My parents and my friends support me, and that’s very important to me,” says Marina, also sharing that she owns a horse back in Parma where her parents live as well.
Upon turning 18, she moved to Las Vegas, seeking better training and an opportunity to be more competitive. It was here where Cary saw Marina at an amateur tournament and asked if she wanted to train at her Sacramento gym. Spending a week at Prime Time Boxing has helped sharpen Marina’s skills preparing her for the Golden Gloves.
“I think there is going to be a flood of girls, like Marina, who will be coming in when the sport is televised from the Olympics,” says Cary. “I’ve seen a number of girls already and some will be showing up over the next few years with a lot of experience.”
"Team Marina" are still seeking sponsors. Follow Marina’s career through www.primetimeboxing.com Facebook page.
Labels:
Latina Boxers,
Marina Ramirez,
Olympics,
Prime Time Boxing
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Program helps Latinas grow their own business
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- At a time of economic crisis, a program in the San Francisco Bay Area is working toward helping women establish a business. The program, "ALAS" or Alternatives in Self Sufficiency for Latin Women, the Women's Initiative Program, is designed to help low-income women with the knowledge and financial needs to establish their own business.
The following video was produced in Spanish by AARP, with English sub-titles. For more information visit: www.womensinitiative.org.
The following video was produced in Spanish by AARP, with English sub-titles. For more information visit: www.womensinitiative.org.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Latina Ad Exec to be recognized at TV Summit
Monica Gadsby, CEO U.S. Multicultural & Latin American, Starcom Media Vest Group, will receive an award for achievement in Hispanic television at the 9th Annual Hispanic Television Summit.
NEW YORK, NY -- Leading television industry publications Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News announced that the 2011 recipient of their Award for Achievement in Hispanic Television is Monica Gadsby, CEO, U.S. Multicultural & Latin America, Starcom MediaVest Group. The award will be presented at the Hispanic Television Summit, on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at the Marriot Marquis New York Hotel
Ms. Gadsby is the top executive at the #1 Hispanic Agency in America. Under her direction, the agency has become the leading multicultural media network in the country and has placed hundreds of millions of advertising dollars in the Hispanic TV marketplace.
"Monica Gadsby has had a remarkable impact on the Multicultural television business, especially within the Hispanic market. We feel strongly that she deserves to be recognized for the role she plays in television for Hispanic viewers and with its advertisers," said Louis Hillelson, Group Publisher for Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News.
Previous award recipients include Sabado Gigante host, Don Francisco; sportscaster Andres Cantor; host of Al Rojo Vivo, Maria Celeste Arraras; talk-show personality, Cristina Saralegui; network news anchorman, Jorge Ramos; Procter & Gamble's, Edgar Sandoval and boxing champion and entrepreneur, Oscar de la Hoya.
About the Summit: The Summit is the television industry's signature conference for executives involved in the business of television and digital video targeted to the US Hispanic and Latin American viewing audience. It attracts more than 400 attendees. The Summit is produced for Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News by the Schramm Marketing Group Inc., a NY-based marketing services company which includes Hispanic marketing among its specialties.
For sponsorship information, please call Sandy Friedman at (917) 281-4718. To register, please visit: www.multichannel.com/hispanic2011
Multichannel News covers multichannel television and communications providers, such as cable operators, satellite TV firms, and telephone companies, as well as emerging Internet video and communication services. www.multichannel.com
Broadcasting & Cable covers the business of television for industry professionals offering breaking news and analysis on programming, syndication, the station business, technology and advertising for broadcasting, cable, satellite, telco TV and the Web. www.broadcastingcable.com
SMG Multicultural is a division of Starcom MediaVest Group, the Human Experience Company. Our dream is to grow our clients' business by transforming human behavior through uplifting, meaningful human experiences. With nearly 6,000 employees in 110 offices worldwide, SMG partners with the world's leading companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods, P&G, Samsung, Walmart, among others. In 2010, SMG was the #1 ranked Global Media Agency (AdAge) and "Media Agency of the Decade" by Adweek. Most recently, Festival of Media named Starcom MediaVest Group as Network Agency of the Year.
NEW YORK, NY -- Leading television industry publications Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News announced that the 2011 recipient of their Award for Achievement in Hispanic Television is Monica Gadsby, CEO, U.S. Multicultural & Latin America, Starcom MediaVest Group. The award will be presented at the Hispanic Television Summit, on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at the Marriot Marquis New York Hotel
Ms. Gadsby is the top executive at the #1 Hispanic Agency in America. Under her direction, the agency has become the leading multicultural media network in the country and has placed hundreds of millions of advertising dollars in the Hispanic TV marketplace.
"Monica Gadsby has had a remarkable impact on the Multicultural television business, especially within the Hispanic market. We feel strongly that she deserves to be recognized for the role she plays in television for Hispanic viewers and with its advertisers," said Louis Hillelson, Group Publisher for Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News.
Previous award recipients include Sabado Gigante host, Don Francisco; sportscaster Andres Cantor; host of Al Rojo Vivo, Maria Celeste Arraras; talk-show personality, Cristina Saralegui; network news anchorman, Jorge Ramos; Procter & Gamble's, Edgar Sandoval and boxing champion and entrepreneur, Oscar de la Hoya.
About the Summit: The Summit is the television industry's signature conference for executives involved in the business of television and digital video targeted to the US Hispanic and Latin American viewing audience. It attracts more than 400 attendees. The Summit is produced for Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News by the Schramm Marketing Group Inc., a NY-based marketing services company which includes Hispanic marketing among its specialties.
For sponsorship information, please call Sandy Friedman at (917) 281-4718. To register, please visit: www.multichannel.com/hispanic2011
Multichannel News covers multichannel television and communications providers, such as cable operators, satellite TV firms, and telephone companies, as well as emerging Internet video and communication services. www.multichannel.com
Broadcasting & Cable covers the business of television for industry professionals offering breaking news and analysis on programming, syndication, the station business, technology and advertising for broadcasting, cable, satellite, telco TV and the Web. www.broadcastingcable.com
SMG Multicultural is a division of Starcom MediaVest Group, the Human Experience Company. Our dream is to grow our clients' business by transforming human behavior through uplifting, meaningful human experiences. With nearly 6,000 employees in 110 offices worldwide, SMG partners with the world's leading companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods, P&G, Samsung, Walmart, among others. In 2010, SMG was the #1 ranked Global Media Agency (AdAge) and "Media Agency of the Decade" by Adweek. Most recently, Festival of Media named Starcom MediaVest Group as Network Agency of the Year.
Labels:
Hispanic Agency,
Hispanic Television,
Monica Gadsby
Friday, June 10, 2011
Latina to head Obama's national political director post
From aide to former Denver Mayor Federico Peña to now the first Latina to hold the post of National Political Director for a presidential reelection campaign.
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's re-election team has chosen Katherine Archuleta of Denver to be his national political director, becoming the first Latina to hold that position. The Denver, Colorado native's selection is key toward winning Colorado in the 2012 Presidential race.
Archuleta is currently the chief of staff to Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis, but brings year's of experience issue knowledge to Obama's campaign. Some of here previous posts include: aide for Mayor Federico Pena, the only, Latino mayor of Denver; senior advisor to former Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver's lead city planner for the 2008 Democratic National Convention; and, executive director for the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.
"Her understanding of the issues of the West are important," Interior Secretary and fellow Coloradan Ken Salazar told the Denver Post. "And, the understanding in the Latino community is important as well."
Political experts believe Colorado will be the key state to win the White House in 2012, with Karl Rove overheard stating "as goes Colorado, so goes the nation."
Archuleta has a B.A. in Education at Metropolitan State College of Denver and her Master of Education at the University of Northern Colorado. She will be joining Obama's Chicago-based campaign team, which includes campaign manager Jim Messina, who earlier this year stepped down as deputy White House chief of staff, and David Axelrod, who stepped down as White House senior adviser to reprise his role as chief strategist and top political adviser.
Katherine Archuleta |
Archuleta is currently the chief of staff to Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis, but brings year's of experience issue knowledge to Obama's campaign. Some of here previous posts include: aide for Mayor Federico Pena, the only, Latino mayor of Denver; senior advisor to former Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver's lead city planner for the 2008 Democratic National Convention; and, executive director for the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.
"Her understanding of the issues of the West are important," Interior Secretary and fellow Coloradan Ken Salazar told the Denver Post. "And, the understanding in the Latino community is important as well."
Political experts believe Colorado will be the key state to win the White House in 2012, with Karl Rove overheard stating "as goes Colorado, so goes the nation."
Archuleta has a B.A. in Education at Metropolitan State College of Denver and her Master of Education at the University of Northern Colorado. She will be joining Obama's Chicago-based campaign team, which includes campaign manager Jim Messina, who earlier this year stepped down as deputy White House chief of staff, and David Axelrod, who stepped down as White House senior adviser to reprise his role as chief strategist and top political adviser.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
New billboard focuses on Latina abortions
New billboard ads by a conservative Latino group focuses on how abortion supporters target Hispanics.
by Steven Ertelt | Los Angeles, CA | LifeNews.com
by Steven Ertelt | Los Angeles, CA | LifeNews.com
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Billboards across the nation have focused on how abortions and the abortion industry target black Americans and new a new billboard campaign in Los Angeles will show how abortion hurts the Latino community.
Alfonso Aguilar, executive director of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, talked with the Daily Caller about the new campaign to feature a jumbo billboard in Los Angeles.
“It’s clear that Latinos are being targeted by organizations that promote abortion like Planned Parenthood,” he said. “Many of their clinics are in Latino neighborhoods and communities.”
Aguilar has said, “Twenty-two percent of abortions in the U.S., for example, are performed on Hispanic women, and they are 2.7 times more likely to have an abortion than non-Hispanic white women. Motivated by their warped eugenic views, Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers are clearly going after racial and ethnic minorities in the country.”
The new billboard will read, in Spanish and English, “El lugar mas peligroso para un Latino es el vientre de su madre/The most dangerous place for a Latino is in the womb.” the Daily caller indicates the ads are part of a kickoff for a Sunday event called “Unidos por la Vida” (United for Life) at the LA Sports Arena sponsored by the pro-life group Manto de Guadalupe. The event features Governor Rick Perry of Texas and pro-life activist Lila Rose of Live Action Films.
The group was founded by Eduardo Verástegui, a famous Latin American actor and singer who became well known to the pro-life community in the United States via the feature film Bella. Earlier this year, he announced plans to build the largest pregnancy center in the United States in Los Angeles to reach out to Hispanic and other women.
A new study reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology and published by the Guttmacher Institute, shows the billboards are correct. The study found the abortion rate among Hispanic women at 28.7 per 1,000 women — more than twice as high as the abortion rate for white women, at 11.5.
Susan Cohen, also of Guttmacher, adds: “This much is true: In the United States, the abortion rate for black women is almost five times that for white women. Black women are not alone in having disproportionately high unintended pregnancy and abortion rates. The abortion rate among Hispanic women, for example, although not as high as the rate among black women, is double the rate among whites.”
Meanwhile, the CDC indicates Hispanic women account for 22.1 percent of all abortions in the Untied States even though the percentage of women in the United States who are Hispanic is less than that.
The Associated Press and Univision teamed up for a poll of 1,500 Hispanics conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago that found only 39 percent of Hispanics support legalized abortion.
Labels:
Abortions,
American Latinas,
Latina Health
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Latina scientist appointed to Presidential Advisory Commission
Dr. Alicia Abella has been appointed to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
DALLAS, TX -- AT&T research scientist Alicia Abella, Ph.D. has been appointed to the prestigious Presidential Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Dr. Abella, executive director of technical research at AT&T Labs, is a leader in the nation's efforts to encourage minorities and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, commonly known as STEM fields.
The Commission, appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama, will support the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and its director, Juan Sepulveda, and provide advice on matters pertaining to the educational attainment of the Hispanic community. Members represent a broad range of sectors including science, business, academia and the arts.
"I am honored to serve on this important commission whose mission is aligned with my long-standing effort to help minority and female students achieve their educational objectives," said Dr. Abella. "I owe my professional success to my education, and have made it my personal objective to help our youth reach adulthood with the educational background they will need to achieve their own version of the American dream."
At AT&T Labs Dr. Abella manages a group of researchers specializing in data mining, user interfaces, IPTV, mobile services, SIP/VoIP technology, and environmental sustainability. She has a Ph.D. in computer science from Columbia University, a M.S. from Columbia and B.S. from NYU, both in computer science.
Dr. Abella is a strong advocate of fostering the development of minorities and women in science and engineering. As executive vice president for the Young Science Achievers program, she works tirelessly to bring an interest and excitement in science and engineering to high school-aged women and minority students through a program of mentoring and scientific achievement. She also chairs the AT&T Labs Fellowship program, in which she helps encourage, advise and evaluate candidates for a prestigious graduate scholarship from AT&T targeted at women and minorities.
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Director Juan Sepulveda said Abella will help the Commission discover new ways to increase Latino educational attainment, which is important in the global contest for the jobs and industries of the future.
Other individuals appointed by President Obama to the Commission include Dr. Eduardo J. Padron (chair) and Cesar Conde of Florida; Francisco G. Cigarroa, Ricardo Romo, Sylvia Acevedo and JoAnn Gama of Texas; Darline P. Robles and Patricia Gandara of California; Marta Tienda of New Jersey; Luis R. Fraga of Washington; Maria Neira and Lisette Nieves of New York; Daniel Cardinali of Virginia; Manny Sanchez of Illinois; and Alfredo J. Artiles of Arizona.
SOURCE AT&T Inc.
Dr. Alicia Abella |
The Commission, appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama, will support the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and its director, Juan Sepulveda, and provide advice on matters pertaining to the educational attainment of the Hispanic community. Members represent a broad range of sectors including science, business, academia and the arts.
"I am honored to serve on this important commission whose mission is aligned with my long-standing effort to help minority and female students achieve their educational objectives," said Dr. Abella. "I owe my professional success to my education, and have made it my personal objective to help our youth reach adulthood with the educational background they will need to achieve their own version of the American dream."
At AT&T Labs Dr. Abella manages a group of researchers specializing in data mining, user interfaces, IPTV, mobile services, SIP/VoIP technology, and environmental sustainability. She has a Ph.D. in computer science from Columbia University, a M.S. from Columbia and B.S. from NYU, both in computer science.
Dr. Abella is a strong advocate of fostering the development of minorities and women in science and engineering. As executive vice president for the Young Science Achievers program, she works tirelessly to bring an interest and excitement in science and engineering to high school-aged women and minority students through a program of mentoring and scientific achievement. She also chairs the AT&T Labs Fellowship program, in which she helps encourage, advise and evaluate candidates for a prestigious graduate scholarship from AT&T targeted at women and minorities.
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Director Juan Sepulveda said Abella will help the Commission discover new ways to increase Latino educational attainment, which is important in the global contest for the jobs and industries of the future.
Other individuals appointed by President Obama to the Commission include Dr. Eduardo J. Padron (chair) and Cesar Conde of Florida; Francisco G. Cigarroa, Ricardo Romo, Sylvia Acevedo and JoAnn Gama of Texas; Darline P. Robles and Patricia Gandara of California; Marta Tienda of New Jersey; Luis R. Fraga of Washington; Maria Neira and Lisette Nieves of New York; Daniel Cardinali of Virginia; Manny Sanchez of Illinois; and Alfredo J. Artiles of Arizona.
SOURCE AT&T Inc.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Interview with Lisa Garcia, a Latina who is Chief of Staff to US Trade Rep
Lisa Garcia is Chief of Staff to the United States Trade Representative, serving as managing adviser on policy and personnel.
By Stephanie Valencia, White House
WASHINGTON -- As part of WhiteHouse.gov/Hispanic, we are featuring interviews with Obama Administration staff whose work impacts the Hispanic and Latino communities. This interview is with Lisa Garcia, Chief of Staff to the United States Trade Representative.
What is your key responsibility?
As the Chief of Staff in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, my job is to be the right-hand aide to the President’s top trade negotiator – Ambassador Ron Kirk – and to provide leadership and management for USTR, a key economic agency.
I serve as the managing advisor on issues of policy, personnel, and in other areas that serve USTR’s core mission: to make sure that our trade agreements provide real export and job opportunities for Americans, and that those agreements are enforced so that their promised benefits are really felt right here at home.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in the state of Kansas but consider myself a Texan, since our family moved to Houston when I was two. It was supposed to be a temporary stay, but became permanent after my father graduated from the University of Houston and recognized that Houston was the place to stake out our legacy. Houston Hispanics caught the political bug and my family, like so many, was caught up in the excitement of influencing the destiny of our people through the political process. We shared a true sense of responsibility for our community and participating in the political process was key to making changes. I have never known another way of life than to be politically involved, and remember being involved at a young age in the screening of political candidates in the Houston area. My father would smile and take seriously my impressions and evaluations – of course, I volunteered this wisdom whether he asked for it or not!
What is your educational background?
My formal education started with the Dominican Sisters and I am a graduate of Houston’s St. Agnes Academy. I then headed to Austin and attended the University of Texas, received my Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and truly appreciated attending working at the local PBS channel located at the University of Houston. But I also got a political education, working local city, county and state races from the grassroots up, spending several years working in the state House and Senate, then as the Executive Director of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus and was scouted by a global company to lead a regional government affairs office. Eventually I joined the Democratic Presidential campaign in 2004, worked the Florida governor’s race, then worked for Senator John Kerry in Washington for a while, and returned to Texas for my family and established my own consulting firm. But I could not stay away from the excitement surrounding then-Senator Obama’s quest for the White House – and now here I am serving in his Administration.
I do not believe that life is one random event after another. All of these activities built on one another to teach me lessons, enrich my life, and make me more complete as a public servant and as a person.
Are you a member of a notable community organizations, church, or volunteer/mentorship program?
I am a Graduate and Alumni Member of the 2002 Leadership Texas Program, Member/volunteer NALEO National Association for Latino Elected Officials, Mexican American Women’s National Association (MANA) a National Latina Organization lifetime member
During the State of the Union, the President laid out his vision for "Winning the Future" through Education, Building, Innovation, Responsibility, and Reform. How does your role in the Administration help to advance the President's agenda?
Every day, USTR contributes to the President’s work to create jobs in the United States by doing trade in a new way. We’re working to get trade right by talking to more Americans, by listening to more Americans, and by seeking trade agreements that are fair, full of export opportunities around the world and job opportunities here at home. At the President’s direction, we’ve also put a special emphasis on enforcing the trade agreements already on the books – helping to foster a global trade environment in which American innovation can thrive in every corner of the world. As we work to out-educate and out-innovate, USTR will make sure that the fantastic made-in-America products springing from all that effort have ready markets around the globe.
How does your work impact the Hispanic community?
The goal of USTR is to do trade in a new way that increases opportunities for ALL Americans, including the Hispanic community. Specifically our focus with ensuring that our trade agreements provide export opportunities for small businesses – this is key and supports the entrepreneurial spirit of the Hispanic community, my community.
By Stephanie Valencia, White House
What is your key responsibility?
As the Chief of Staff in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, my job is to be the right-hand aide to the President’s top trade negotiator – Ambassador Ron Kirk – and to provide leadership and management for USTR, a key economic agency.
I serve as the managing advisor on issues of policy, personnel, and in other areas that serve USTR’s core mission: to make sure that our trade agreements provide real export and job opportunities for Americans, and that those agreements are enforced so that their promised benefits are really felt right here at home.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in the state of Kansas but consider myself a Texan, since our family moved to Houston when I was two. It was supposed to be a temporary stay, but became permanent after my father graduated from the University of Houston and recognized that Houston was the place to stake out our legacy. Houston Hispanics caught the political bug and my family, like so many, was caught up in the excitement of influencing the destiny of our people through the political process. We shared a true sense of responsibility for our community and participating in the political process was key to making changes. I have never known another way of life than to be politically involved, and remember being involved at a young age in the screening of political candidates in the Houston area. My father would smile and take seriously my impressions and evaluations – of course, I volunteered this wisdom whether he asked for it or not!
What is your educational background?
My formal education started with the Dominican Sisters and I am a graduate of Houston’s St. Agnes Academy. I then headed to Austin and attended the University of Texas, received my Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and truly appreciated attending working at the local PBS channel located at the University of Houston. But I also got a political education, working local city, county and state races from the grassroots up, spending several years working in the state House and Senate, then as the Executive Director of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus and was scouted by a global company to lead a regional government affairs office. Eventually I joined the Democratic Presidential campaign in 2004, worked the Florida governor’s race, then worked for Senator John Kerry in Washington for a while, and returned to Texas for my family and established my own consulting firm. But I could not stay away from the excitement surrounding then-Senator Obama’s quest for the White House – and now here I am serving in his Administration.
I do not believe that life is one random event after another. All of these activities built on one another to teach me lessons, enrich my life, and make me more complete as a public servant and as a person.
Are you a member of a notable community organizations, church, or volunteer/mentorship program?
I am a Graduate and Alumni Member of the 2002 Leadership Texas Program, Member/volunteer NALEO National Association for Latino Elected Officials, Mexican American Women’s National Association (MANA) a National Latina Organization lifetime member
During the State of the Union, the President laid out his vision for "Winning the Future" through Education, Building, Innovation, Responsibility, and Reform. How does your role in the Administration help to advance the President's agenda?
Every day, USTR contributes to the President’s work to create jobs in the United States by doing trade in a new way. We’re working to get trade right by talking to more Americans, by listening to more Americans, and by seeking trade agreements that are fair, full of export opportunities around the world and job opportunities here at home. At the President’s direction, we’ve also put a special emphasis on enforcing the trade agreements already on the books – helping to foster a global trade environment in which American innovation can thrive in every corner of the world. As we work to out-educate and out-innovate, USTR will make sure that the fantastic made-in-America products springing from all that effort have ready markets around the globe.
How does your work impact the Hispanic community?
The goal of USTR is to do trade in a new way that increases opportunities for ALL Americans, including the Hispanic community. Specifically our focus with ensuring that our trade agreements provide export opportunities for small businesses – this is key and supports the entrepreneurial spirit of the Hispanic community, my community.
Labels:
Latina Leaders,
Latinas,
Lisa Garcia,
White House staff
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Latina filmmaker tells it like it is
Fanny Veliz is making it her business to change the image of Latinos in media.
By La Cosmopolatina
HOLLYWOOD - It’s no secret that Hollywood has never been great at portraying Latinos accurately. Latino characters on the silver screen are often underdeveloped, and the stereotypes surrounding them are rampant. Women are either the maid or the overly sexual, sassy sidekick and men are usually depicted as aggressive or gangster types. So what’s a young Latina actress and filmmaker to do? Take matters into her own hands, of course.
Venezolana Fanny Veliz is such a Latina, and she is making it her business to change the image of Latinos in the media. She has been doing so since 2005 when she launched her own production company, Criolla Productions. Since then, she has written, directed and produced multiple short films that have been screened at various international film festivals. All of these projects have one common purpose: to create Latino characters that are rich and multidimensional, and whose struggles and achievements truthfully portray the experience of Hispanics in the United States.
Her latest endeavor is a film called Homebound about the lives of a family in El Campo, TX. The film is currently gathering backers so it can get off the ground, so be sure to support a fellow Latina in her noble quest to make us look like the rockin’ badasses that we are. Or at least make us look authentic.
By La Cosmopolatina
Producer/Director Fanny Veliz |
Venezolana Fanny Veliz is such a Latina, and she is making it her business to change the image of Latinos in the media. She has been doing so since 2005 when she launched her own production company, Criolla Productions. Since then, she has written, directed and produced multiple short films that have been screened at various international film festivals. All of these projects have one common purpose: to create Latino characters that are rich and multidimensional, and whose struggles and achievements truthfully portray the experience of Hispanics in the United States.
Her latest endeavor is a film called Homebound about the lives of a family in El Campo, TX. The film is currently gathering backers so it can get off the ground, so be sure to support a fellow Latina in her noble quest to make us look like the rockin’ badasses that we are. Or at least make us look authentic.
Prenatal vitamins reduce autism study says
Study first to suggest women can take vitamins while pregnant reduce child's risk of autism.
Dr. Rebecca J. Schmidt |
SACRAMENTO, CA — Women who reported not taking a daily prenatal vitamin immediately before and during the first month of pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to have a child with an autism spectrum disorder as women who did take the supplements — and the associated risk rose to seven times as great when combined with a high-risk genetic make-up, a study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute has found.
"Mothers of children with autism were significantly less likely than those of typically developing children to report having taken prenatal vitamins during the three months before and the first month of pregnancy,” said Rebecca J. Schmidt, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences in the UC Davis School of Medicine and the study’s lead author.
The finding was “strong and robust,” the study authors said, and is the first to suggest a concrete step women can take that may reduce the risk of having a child with autism. The study, "Prenatal vitamins, functional one-carbon metabolism gene variants, and risk for autism in the CHARGE Study," is published online today on the website of the journal EPIDEMIOLOGY. It is scheduled to appear in print in July.
Consuming prenatal vitamins may be especially effective for genetically susceptible mothers and their children. For women with a particular high-risk genetic make up who reported not taking prenatal vitamins, the estimated risk of having a child with autism was as much as seven times greater than in women who did report taking prenatal vitamins and who had more favorable gene variants, the study found.
The authors postulate that folic acid, the synthetic form of folate or vitamin B9, and the other B vitamins in prenatal supplements, likely protect against deficits in early fetal brain development. Folate is known to be critical to neurodevelopment and studies have found that supplemental folic acid has the potential to prevent up to 70 percent of neural tube defects, the authors said.
“This finding appears to be the first example of gene-environment interaction in autism,” said Irva Hertz-Picciotto, professor and chief of the division of environmental and occupational health in the Department of Public Health Sciences in the UC Davis School of Medicine.
“It is widely accepted that autism spectrum disorders are the result of multiple factors, that it would be extremely rare to find someone who had a single cause for this behavioral syndrome. Nevertheless, previous work on genes has generally ignored the possibility that genes may act in concert with environmental exposures,” said Hertz-Picciotto, the study's senior author and a researcher affiliated with the UC Davis MIND Institute.
To conduct the study, researchers collected data from approximately 700 Northern California families with 2- to 5-year-old children who had autism or typical development and were participants in the Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) study between from January 2003 to December 2009. All children were born in California and came from families that spoke either English or Spanish. The autism diagnoses were confirmed through testing at the UC Davis MIND Institute.
Women who participated in the CHARGE study were asked via telephone whether they took prenatal vitamins, multivitamins or other supplements at any time during the three months prior to and during their pregnancies and during breastfeeding. If the respondent said she had taken vitamins, she was further asked what type she took, at what dosage and frequency and during which months of pregnancy she consumed them.
“Because the mothers were asked about their vitamin use years after their pregnancies and after their child’s developmental status was known, some error is expected in their reporting. Moreover, in comparison with mothers who have an affected child, mothers whose children are healthy and show typical developmental milestones may be less likely to remember accurately, simply because they have less reason to reflect on and be concerned about their behaviors years earlier,” Schmidt said. This could have biased the results, she pointed out. Further research will be needed to rule out reporting bias.
The researchers accounted for maternal education and the year the child was born; results were the same when also accounting for the mother’s age. However, after the first month of pregnancy, there was no difference between mothers who did and did not take prenatal vitamins. This indicates that, by the time most women are aware that they are pregnant, taking prenatal supplements may not benefit the child in terms of risk for autism.
Significant interaction effects were observed for two maternal genes, including a well-studied variant on the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene associated with less efficient folate metabolism and increased levels of homocysteine, an amino acid.
Mothers of children with autism were 4.5 times more likely to both have the less efficient MTHFR 677 TT genotype and to report not taking prenatal vitamins during the period around conception than were mothers of typically developing children.
The other maternal gene variant with a significant interaction leads to decreased cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) activity and elevated plasma homocysteine. Increased risk for autism was also associated with other maternal gene variants associated with less efficient one-carbon metabolism, but only if the mother reported not taking the prenatal vitamins in those early months before and right after conception.
In addition, being homozygous for a common, functional variant in the child’s catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene was associated with more than seven times the estimated risk for autism in mothers who reported not taking the supplements around the time of conception, compared to children with other genotypes whose mothers did report periconceptional prenatal vitamin intake.
This gene reduces COMT enzyme activity three- to four-fold. The COMT enzyme, well known for its role in dopamine degradation, is activated during early neurodevelopment. Structural and functional brain differences have been described across COMT genotypes, particularly in the hippocampal and prefrontal cortex, regions affected by autism.
The finding, if replicated, provides a potential means of reducing the risk of having a child with autism. the authors said.
“The good news is that if this finding is replicated, it will provide an inexpensive, relatively simple evidence-based action that women can take to reduce risks for their child, which is to take prenatal vitamins as early as possible in a pregnancy and even when planning for pregnancy,” Hertz-Picciotto said.
Other study authors include Robin L. Hansen, Linda C. Schmidt and Daniel Tancredi, all of UC Davis, and Jaana Hartiala and Hooman Allayee, of UCLA.
The study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, including funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; a United States Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant; and a UC Davis MIND Institute Pilot Research Study grant.
The UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, in Sacramento, Calif., was founded in 1998 as a unique interdisciplinary research center where parents, community leaders, researchers, clinicians and volunteers collaborate to study and treat autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The institute has major research efforts in autism, Tourette syndrome, fragile X syndrome, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More information about the institute, including previous presentations in its Distinguished Lecture Series, is available on the web at http://healthsystem.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)