Katia Beauchamp
Along with her partner Hayley Barna, this Mexican-American mama of twins came up with an idea that would change the way women experienced and purchased beauty products forever. Birchbox sells curated monthly boxes of beauty samples for $10 each, while offering full-sized versions of the products on its e-commerce site. Brilliant, right? The business is so successful that it has attracted $71.8 million in venture funding and pulls in an estimated $170 million a year (major!). The company also operates a brick-and-mortar store in Manhattan. The new mama is venturing into the baby space as well, with collaborations with brands like babyGap. LOVE!
Photo: Birchbox
Lynda Baquero
The Emmy-award winning mama is NBC 4 New York’s consumer reporter (her Better Get Baquero segments resolve consumer complaints and provide updates on the latest consumer alerts). Baquero is also host of Visiones, which highlights issues that affect the Hispanic community. In an article in Impacto New York, Baquero says, "My mission in these segments is to talk about the positive things in our community. We have so many stories. For example, the effort for free bilingual education, how to find tools to help your child be bilingual.” Baquero is also on the Board of Directors of Let’s Get Ready, a non-profit organization that serves the educational needs of New York City students.
For her work and contributions, the Puerto Rican Baquero was named one of El Diario La Prensa’s “Mujeres Destacadas” (Outstanding Women) and received the "Excellence in English Language Media" award from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors. Well deserved!
Photo: NBC
Victoria Sanchez-Lincoln
When Real Simple magazine's Fashion Director, Victoria Sanchez-Lincoln, was just 4-years-old she suffered an accident which caused her to lose the use of her right arm. But, that injury didn't stop Sanchez-Lincoln from fulfilling her childhood dreams.The Puertorriqueña mama to "a toddler princess," went on to attend the prestigious Pratt Institute, dress and style her favorite celebrities, like Eva Mendes (also on this list), and become a magazine fashion director at the age of 23. Sanchez-Lincoln does it all is with impeccable style!
Photo: Instagram
Natalie Morales
The Today show news anchor and mom to two boys is making it her mission to keep kids everywhere safer. The Brazilian-Puerto Rican Morales reports on Dateline’s NBC's series, "My Kid Would Never Do That," which provides parents with the necessary tools to help their kids deal with difficult issues and situations. Topics include cyberbullying, gun safety, and stranger danger. In an article is USA Today, Morales says, "It's important to talk to your kids and role-play and act things out. Never assume your kid would never do that. They'll prove you wrong." Truth!
Photo: NBC
Gigi Fernandes
The tennis champion,who happens to be the first woman from Puerto Rico to win an Olympic gold medal and is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has had experienced some incredible moments playing tennis (Fernández won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles and two Olympic gold medals representing the United States, and reached the World No. 1 ranking in women's doubles) and she's working to give children the opportunity to play tennis. Becoming a mother to twins led Fernandes to work with organizations like United States Tennis Association (USTA) and youthtennis.com to introduce children from all communities to tennis. This mama has also been an instructor and an ambassador for the sport as part of the Latin American Tennis Festival, an event aimed at exposing Latinos to tennis. Bravo!
Photo: Twitter
Jennifer Lopez
Dancer, singer, actress, film, and TV producer, author...it seems like there's nothing the "American Idol" judge and mom to 7-year-old twins Emme and Max, can't do. With a net worth of $300 million, this mama is building a mega empire. Up next: Jennifer will star in Mothers I'd Like To... and co-produce with her production company Nuyorican Productions while continuing her work with the Children's Miracle Network Hospital, which helps raise funds and awareness for local children’s hospitals to help save lives. Nice!
Photo: Instagram
Aurora
With 1.4 million followers, this mexicana is one of the best known Latina makeup artists on Instagram! Posting in English and Spanish, this is the mama you turn to for dramatic makeup inspiration.
Photo: Instagram
Dany Garcia
On the day their divorce became final (she was married to Dwayne Johnson), her ex asked the Cubana to take over his management. Her answer: Si, of course! Her career in finance, having worked at Merrill Lynch, and being comfortable chatting it up with CEOs, not to mention walking into any room with executive level professionals (and owning it!), made it an easy business partnership decision for the duo.
While their romantic relationship is over, their business one is thriving! The mom to a 13-year-old daughter, manager, producer, and professional body builder is now executive producing, with Johnson and Mark Wahlberg, HBO's Ballers, starring Johnson. In addition to running her business, The Garcia Companies, she runs The Beacon Experience, a foundation that helps at-risk children continue their education beyond the high school and become the leaders of tomorrow. What's her secret to managing it all? In an article in Latina, she says "It's about making the most effective decisions, so that 100 things are taken care of at once." Smart!
Jessica Alba
She's been in blockbuster films such as Fantastic Four and Sin City, but what you probably love about this mama are the super cute eco-friendly diapers she creates through her billion (yes, that's BILLION!) dollar startup, The Honest Company. Jessica's mission is to create safe, nontoxic products for moms and their babies, with products like dish soap, detergent, nipple balm, and formula and with retailers like Whole Foods, Nordstrom, Buy Buy Baby, Destination Maternity and Target selling them. Up next: Jessica will launch Honest Beauty, a complete cosmetics line that targets diverse women. We honestly support that!
Photo: Honest Beauty
Nicole Hernandez Hammer
The Guatemalan immigrant with Cuban heritage is a climate scientist and clean air advocate who has studied how climate change disproportionately affects Hispanic communities. Hammer's research and work caught the attention of Michelle Obama who requested Hammer be her guest at the 2015 State of the Union. NBD!
Now, this mama is turning her attention to other moms, by working with Moms Clean Air Force to increase awareness of climate change on children's health. In an article in Newsweek, Hammer says "As a mom, I’m particularly aware of the impacts that it [climate change] will have on my son’s future. Climate change is a moral issue.” Agree!
Photo: Think Progress
Salma Hayek
She's a well-renowned Mexican-born actress, director, and producer but this mama is also known for being outspoken and giving a voice to those who have been silenced and disempowered: Earlier this year at Cannes, Hayek was among one of the most outspoken in a conversation about gender inequality in film; she is also an advocate for increasing awareness on violence against women (she has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee supporting the reauthoring of the Violence Against Women Act and is a board member of V-Day, a charity aimed at ending violence against women and girls); and as discrimination against immigrants rages on, Hayek is making sure she's heard--loud can clear--on the topic: Most recently Hayek fired back at Donald Trump’s comments on Mexican immigrants, stating in an article in the LA Times that "I'm not insulted because I cannot be insulted by stupidity." Well said!
Photo: Instagram
Maria Teresa Kumar
Latinos will vote in huge numbers in the 2016 elections if Maria has anything to do with it. As the founding president and CEO of Voto Latino, a non-profit organization, chaired and cofounded by actress Rosario Dawson, Maria and her organization aim to engage and empower Latinos through the power of their vote. The Colombiana mama says by 2016 there will be 2.4 million new Latino voters that have turned 18-years-old. She's out to make sure every one of those Latinos knows the importance of their vote.
Photo: Twitter
Judy Reyes
Best known for her role as Carla on Scrubs, the "Devious Maids" star created her own animated program, La Golda, about an 8-year-old Latina soccer player and superhero. The Dominican American star is also a board member for the Sound of Gol, the pro-social non-profit arm of the animation La Golda which supports youth development using soccer as a vehicle to empower social and personal growth. Score Reyes!
Photo: Instagram
Tata Harper
Colombian women love their beauty, just ask Tata Harper. The Colombiana grew up using the latest and most luxurious lotions and creams, but it wasn't until her stepfather was diagnosed with skin cancer, that she started to rethink her beauty routine. In an article in Forbes, she says her stepfather's doctors warned them about using products with toxic additives. “’As these doctors talked about synthetic chemicals in things like deodorant and cleaning supplies, I began to realize what an impact they have on our health.” The mother of three was on a mission to create products that were toxicfree but also luxurious and that's how Tata Harper Skincare was born. Harper's biz has grown by leaps and bounds (600% to be exact in the past year!) and you can now find her coveted products (used by Jessica Alba and Lake Bell, respectively) in major retailers like Neiman Marcus and Sephora.
Photo: Tata Harper
Camila Alves
Everything changed for the Brazilian model and wife of actor Matthew McConaughey when she became a mama. In an article in Austin Woman Magazine, she says: "Having kids has made me sensitive to the things around me. My capacity for love for the whole world is bigger."
Becoming a mother prompted Alves to start JKL (Just Keep Livin Foundation) when her son, Levi, was born. Its mission is to empower high school students by providing them with the tools to lead active lives and make healthy choices. Alves used 100 percent of the proceeds made from selling Levi's baby pictures to fund the foundation. Alright, alright, alright.
Photo: Instagram
Dulce Candy
Need a little help with contouring? Dulce Candy can certainly help! With over 2 million subscribers on YouTube, collaborations with brands like Neutrogena and Too Faced, and now author of The Sweet Life, the mama of one helps millions of women enhance their natural beauty. It's no wonder Latina Magazine named her one of their Latinas of the Year.
Photo: Instagram
Maria Elena Salinas
There are over 54 million Latinos in the US, according to the the Census Bureau and many of those Latinos tune in to watch Noticiero Univision, the most watched newscast by American Latinos, with co-anchor Salinas.
Described as the “Voice of Hispanic America” by The New York Times (Salinas has secured interviews every U.S. president since Jimmy Carter!), Salinas' mission is to empower the Latino community. She does just that with projects such as her news and documentary special "Entre el Abandono y el Rechazo" (Between Abandonment and Rejection), a report on the exodus of unaccompanied Central American children to the United States for which this mama of two won a PEABODY Award, Walter Cronkite Award and Gracies Award. Well done!
Photo: Univision
Nicole Richie
Richie is not your typical fashion icon. The wife, mom, and businesswoman is returning to VH1 with a second season of "Candidly Nicole," (Richie launched #CandidlyNicole on AOL as a reality web series based on her super funny Twitter account (Time magazine named the account one of the best of 2013); and as the creative director of her fashion brand House of Harlow 1960 (named after her daughter), the part Mexican entrepreneur is all about building a mega empire: She recently expanded beyond accessories to include a full ready-to-wear collection, and now has plans to include home goods and children's clothing. Can't wait!
Photo: Instagram
Zoe Saldana
She's number 1 on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid actresses for 2015 with an estimateed $96 million in combined earnings -- but that's only the start for la Dominicana mom of twins. Saldana will be in another Star Trek film in 2016, and 2017 is looking to be Saldana’s year when Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (slated for May) and Avatar 2 (slated for December) hits theaters. Forbes, here she comes!
Photo: Instagram
Eva Mendes
Beauty and fashion brands want her bombshell looks to show off their products (she's been the face of Revlon, is currently a spokesperson for Estee Lauder, and she has her own fashion collection with New York & Company). But this mama of one decided it was time to start her own cosmetics line. Why? In an interview with Elle magazine, Eva says, "Growing up, I was from a very lower-middle class family, and I really got all my makeup and products from drugstores. But the quality of the products just wasn't there." So, por supuesto, she decided to change that with CIRCA, sold exclusively at Walgreens locations nationwide (and Drugstore.com). The products range from just $7 to $15, making it attainable for mamas everywhere. Gracias Eva!
Photo: Instagram
Christy Turlington
One woman dies every two minutes from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. These horrific stats, as well as enduring a childbirth complication herself, led Christy Turlington Burns to direct and produce No Woman, No Cry, an incredible documentary that shares the devastating stories of at-risk pregnant women around the world and to start Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mama.
As a result of her global advocacy work, the Salvadoreña former model and mama of two was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014, Glamour Magazine's Woman of The Year in 2013, and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative Minds in 2013. Bravo!
Photo: Every Mother Counts
Anna Maria Chávez
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of the USA and the first Latina to head the organization, Chavez has one goal: To make more girls into leaders. The Mexican-American mama of one joined the Girl Scouts when she was 10 years old and in 2011 came full circle as CEO. Under her watch, Chavez and the Girl Scouts partnered with Sheryl Sandberg, The Facebook COO, to launch the Ban Bossy campaign, an effort to level the playing field for women; she's been recognized for increasing the participation of Girl Scouts in STEM-related fields (Chavez is recognized as one of the 100 Women in STEM by STEMConnector); she also introduced a digital cookie program so that girls can build their cookie-selling business online. She is every Girl Scout's ultimate cheerleader and for that we cheer you Chavez!
Photo: Girl Scouts
Amanda Renteria
She was the first Latina hired as a chief of staff in the U.S. Senate, and now the Mexican-American mama has another big job on her hands: To put Hillary Clinton in the White House. As the National Political Director for Hillary for America, Renteria if focusing efforts on connecting with Latinos where they get their news, such as on their phones, by engaging Spanish-Language media (in many cases young Latinos, also known as the "influencers" and "translators," can motivate other family members to vote) and overseeing coalition groups that advocate for Latinos, such as the Latino Victory Project, which aims to helps Latinos win election to local, state and federal offices, and advocates on behalf of the Latino community.
Photo: Jacquelyn Martin — AP
Thalia
It has been a good year for the singer, actress, and entrepreneur mama. Earlier this year the Mexican-born actress and singer teamed up with Macy's to create her Thalia Soti line of apparel, shoes, and jewelry (bonus: everything is is under $100!) and she also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Congrats!
Photo: Instagram
Nina Garcia
This Colombian-born fashionista juggles being a mom, Creative Director of Marie Claire, judge on reality show Project Runway, and author of four best-selling books in total head-to-toe style! Garcia is one of the most influential voices within the fashion industry and credits her mother her sense of style.
Photo: Instagram
Soledad O’Brien
The award-winning journalist and brains behind the successful documentary series for CNN “Black in America” and “Latino in America,” will once again address Latinos this month when la Cubana mother kicks off the “I AM LATINO IN AMERICA” tour during Hispanic Heritage Month, a national tour that will address critical issues in the Hispanic community, covering topics like voting, the economy and education.
Photo: Instagram
Sofia Vergara
This Colombiana mama of one has been one of TV's highest-paid actresses for the last four years (this past year alone, she earned $28.5 million). Her role as the voluptuous, outspoken, and funny-as-hell Gloria Pritchett in the Emmy Award-winning comedy "Modern Family" is the reason! At one point in her career, Vergara took "accent" classes to try to get rid of her heavy accent, but then one day decided to stop, saying "If I can’t get a job with my accent, then this is not a job for me.” Good choice!
Photo: Instagram
Gisele Bundchen
She's the world's highest-paid models in fashion, but la Brasileña isn't just about using her face for fashion and beauty campaigns. As the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, she's utilizing her fame and global reach to help the UN call attention to environmental issues and raise awareness about protecting the planet. Beautiful!
Photo: Instagram
Amelia Toro
Shakira and Sofia Vergara are fans of Toro's feminine fashion line, but Toro wants the attention of the single mothers in Colombia where she's from. Toro looks to empower single mothers by employing them to hand-make the pieces in her collection. As a stamp of their work and contributions, the seamstresses add their signature on the inside of the label of the garment they made. In an interview in Yahoo News, Toro says, “I’m giving them ownership and participation in what the company is about." Nice!
Photo: Amelia Toro
Shakira
She can shake her hips unlike any other entertainer and she can throw a baby shower unlike one, too! When the Colombiana mama of two had her first son, Milan, she threw a virtual World Baby Shower to benefit UNICEF’s work for children. In an effort to continue with the success of her first virtual baby shower (because of Shakira's baby shower 80,000 children were vaccinated against polio!), she decided to do the same with the birth of her second son, Sasha.
Shakira and her world famous footballer husband, Gerard Piqué set up a registry of items for friends and family to purchase through UNICEF to benefit children and mothers who need it the most in some of the poorest countries in the world. In an interview with Us Magazine, Shakira said she aims to "contribute to a long-lasting solution for getting children living in extreme poverty the supplies they need to survive. We also want other parents to feel compelled to do the same." Will do!
Photo: Instagram
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re recognizing the incredible accomplishments of Latina mamas throughout the country. They’re not only making great strides in their respective fields (from music to politics to business), they’re also making the world a better, more equal, and safer place for our niños. Here are the 30 game-changing Latina mamas who will leave you totally inspired with how they are leading the Latino charge in the 21st century. Bravo!
The post 30 Amazing Latina Mamas Who Will Inspire You appeared first on Momtastic.