HSF Scholars Taking the Lead: Andrea Giraudo
Andrea Giraudo (View her Featured Student profile)
Sophomore, University of Georgia
Major: Business and Latin & Caribbean Studies
Latinas Learning to Lead
Location: Washington D.C., a program of the National Hispana Leadership Institute.
Date: July 20-26, 2008
Purpose of the program: Empower young Latina women to not only take charge of their own lives but make a difference in their communities and for all women.
Content of the program – activities, training, speakers, etc.: We stayed at George Mason University and went into D.C. 3 times. We visited several major memorials (Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam, FDR Monument), the U.S. Dept. of State, White House Executive Building, Longworth Building for Congressional Briefing, National Council de La Raza Building, Gallup Leadership Institute, a boat ride down the Potomac to Alexandria, VA, and much more! We met two Latina Congresswomen, Loretta Sanchez and Hilda Solis; Ivette Fernandez, Associate Director of the Office of Public Liaison at the White House; Dr. Sandra Rivera, International Economist; Lt. Col. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch; prominent Latina CEOs of their own companies, and many more amazing and captivating Latina leaders.
What did you learn and how did you benefit from this opportunity? I can’t even begin to describe how much this program gave me. It changed my life. The program offered me a new way to perceive every human being I meet and a new way to attack and solve problems in my community amongst my peers. I’ve also begun an amazing networking system with some of the most powerful and influential Latinas in this country. Furthermore, I now have 21 new sisters all over the country that all went through the same experience and will always be there as a support system.
Do you recommend the program to other Latina students? YES!!!!! A thousand times, Yes.
Do you have any advice you would give other Latino students? Look into programs like this and apply, apply, apply. Latinas Learning to Lead program was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life as you never know the people you may meet and the experiences you may have.
Andrea Giraudo was selected for this program because of her community service record. She tutored Latino students weekly at a local trailer park and translated at Mercy Clinic for doctors and patients. She has assisted with food sorting at the local food bank and prepared dinners at the Athens Homeless Shelter. Read about all twenty-two of the participants at the 2008 Latinas Learning to Lead Summer Youth Institute Fellows page.
If you have a good story to share about a leadership, research or internship opportunity you’ve taken, please contact us:
LatinoScholars@hsf.net