Modern Latina Celebrates 10 Years With "Fashion Fights Back"
On October 1st, Modern Latina will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary with a night of fashion, culture, and community honoring and celebrating breast cancer survivors. (Click here for event info)
LatinLife had the honor of interviewing the founder of Modern Latina, Linda Castillo-Arreola, who told us more about the event and the organization.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a Mexican-American born and raised in the Bay Area who has always had the entrepreneurial spirit and passion for media. Both of these characteristics provided the vision for Modern Latina to create and curate content that celebrates, inspires and empowers Latina women.
I try to give back to the community by serving as a board member of the San Jose State University Latino Alumni Network, volunteering for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Monterey County (HCCMC), and mentoring college students by providing them with encouragement and guidance to pursue their academic and professional goals. I am a proud San Jose native holding a B.S. in Business Administration and a M.S. in Mass Communications from San Jose State University.
Along with juggling my magazine, career and volunteer efforts, I am honored to be the mother to Audrina and Miranda, inspiring both my daughters to be successful Latina leaders someday.
Linda with her two beautiful daughters!
What inspired you to start Modern Latina?
While obtaining my master’s degree in Mass Communication at San Jose State University, I recognized there was a huge gap in the media landscape for Latinos. Specifically, there were many negative portrayals of Latinos in mainstream media and a lack of media options that catered to Latinas.
The internet leveled the playing field for online publishers to compete against larger publishers. I seized this opportunity and I started Modern Latina to fill that void in the media landscape. I clearly remember driving home from class one night and the idea to start Modern Latina came to me. I came home and got on my computer to search for the URL www.ModernLatina.com. I was so surprised that it was available and ever since that moment, I have continued to grow it.
I created Modern Latina to share positive stories about Latinas and the Latino culture to reshape the negative stereotypes in mainstream media. Modern Latina was born to create online content to empower Latinas to reach their full potential in all areas of life and inspire the next generation of Latina leaders.
How would you define the “Modern Latina”?
A “Modern Latina” is a Latina who juggles so many different roles and responsibilities in their lives. A “Modern Latina” is a mother, an entrepreneur, a student, an artist, and so much more that the list could go on and on. My hope is that Modern Latina features compelling, inspiring and relatable stories and resources for Latinas to live the life they want.
Linda being honored at State Senator Bob Wieckowski’s 3rd Annual Latino Heritage Leadership Awards
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
Growing up my Abuelita was my biggest source of inspiration. My grandfather and she had limited education and together they built a thriving business while raising a family. She instilled that hardworking spirit in me. I remember helping my grandparents early on Saturday mornings to sell stuff at the local flea market. My Abuelita was also my link to my cultura, which created a sense of pride in who I am as a Latina. She was my number one supporter of all my dreams by letting me know that no dream is too big if you set your mind to it. And today my biggest source of inspiration are my two young daughters who on a daily basis show me their unconditional love, reinforce the importance of giving back and inspire me to be a better person.
Tell us more about the celebration on October 1st?
I want Modern Latina to be more than an online publisher so we host events that create meaningful opportunities for Latinas to connect and give back to the community. With that said, to celebrate our 10th Anniversary we are presenting Fashion Fights Back - A runway event benefitting Latinas Contra Cancer. I am really excited about this event. It will be a night of fashion, culture, and community will all proceeds from the ticket sales and silent auction going to Latinas Contra Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about cancer in the Latino community, increasing access to quality care, working to decrease mortality and improving the quality of the health care experience.
Guests will have a great time as they enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, while viewing the latest fashion, including the reveal of the finished looks from our Frida Kahlo Inspired Look contest. There will also be unique items to purchase and bid on in the silent auction from participating local artists, crafters and small businesses. Guest will also meet Modern Latina’s Commemorative 10th Anniversary Edition Featured Latina, Tina Aldatz. Tina is a self-made, successful Latina entrepreneur who founded Foot Petals and is now the CEO of Savvy Travel. She will be sharing her compelling and heartwarming personal story of success against all odds from her book, “From Stilettos to the Stock Exchange.” Books will be available for sale and book signing.
Tina Aldatz, author of "From Stilettos to the Stock Exchange"
Tickets for this amazing event can be purchased: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fashion-fights-back-benefitting-latinas-contra-cancer-tickets-16798822731
What has been your proudest moment with Modern Latina during the past 10 years?
As the founder of Modern Latina, I have the privilege of meeting so many amazing and inspiring Latinas. One of my proudest moments was when I had the opportunity to interview Dolores Huerta. I had read about her during many of my Chicano Studies classes and admired her for everything she has done for the Chicano movement and what she continues to do now. I remember I had a list of questions ready for her but my time with her ended up in more of a conversation. She asked me questions that helped me think about how I can become a better leader in the Latino community and what I can be doing to be a change agent. It was one of those moments in my life that I will never forget.
Where do you see Modern Latina in the next 10 years?
I can’t believe that I started Modern Latina ten years ago as a blog where I was the only writer. Today Modern Latina has grown with a cadre of talented Latina writers who share their unique perspective in their stories that resonate with our audience. There are so many exciting possibilities ahead for Modern Latina. I want to continue to provide compelling content that positively impacts Latinas. My hope is that in 10 years, I will have created much more than just an online magazine but a strong voice for Latinas living in the United States. I would love for Modern Latina to be the destination to connect Latinas to resources and opportunities propelling them forward in all areas of their lives.
Click here to visit modernlatina.com, and don't miss the 10 Year Anniversary celebration on October 1st! Click here for tickets.
For a little taste of what to expect on October 1st, check out these gorgeous photos from Modern Latina’s Inaugural Event, August 24, 2013: "Modern Latinas: Amazing. Powerful. Unstoppable."