Consejos y Ezperanzas
Symposium 2000 luncheon Keynote speaker, Rosa Perez, President of Cañada College in Redwood City, ended her speech by asking the Symposium participants to give a gift to the Board of Directors and organizers. She asked that they use cards set at the tables to express their love and support though words of gratitude and hope as well as words of wisdom as they face the lows and their highs of their work. The board will keep circulating these wishes for all to keep the spirit alive. This is a partial list:
- "First of all, thank you for creating such a wonderful and motivating symposium. Su esfuerzo es una inspiración para mi. When you feel things aren't quite flowing smoothly, think that you are our inspiration, as well as our role models. You've made a difference in our outlook on life!"
- "Remember, you didn't get here alone. Standing on the shoulders of your ancestors... Make sure your shoulders grow nice and strong for our future leaders. La union es la fuerza!"
- "El producto de tu siembra es un fruto que sera orgullo de toda nuestra comunidad.
- The crop of your harvest is a fruit which makes our community very proud."
- "Si, se puede!"
- "La raiz, el futuro, el hombre, la mujer - el esfuerzo de la familia."
- "Mil gracias, mujeres de Chicana/Latina Foundation: I am glad to know this foundation exists and serves as an opportunity for women of all ages to come together, share ideas, comadre-hood, empowerment in all areas. I thank you for the opportunity to support artists and their works. Gracias"
- "You are never alone!! Your mom, gramma, tia and comadres are always within you."
- "No hay mal que por bien no venga."
- "You can never be too rich to give back to your community."
- "Remember, God only gives you what he knows you can handle."
- "Gracias por su amor y esperanza. Hasta la Victoria siempre! La lucha sigue. Libertad con dignidad!"
- "Women hold 3/4 of the sky."
- "God knew what she was doing when she gave us a brain."
- "I send you a healing. It is a gift I can give you your highest spirit. To have more, take a moment, quietly close your eyes. Take in a green colored energy. It comes in at the top of your head. Take it in. Imagine it go down your spine. All the way down. Flowing down to the earth. Keep letting it flow in until you have had enough of your highest growth energy. It will fill you with energy, peace, self-acceptance. It will allow you to grow from your current experience and growth cycle."
- "Tu eres mi otro yo. Thank you for the space, time and reflection of seeing all the beauty of who we are!"
- "I do not know many special Spanish sayings, but when I need a quick shot of happiness - I sing 'De Colores'"
- " Chicana/Latina Foundation, thank you for the opportunity to experience the energy and passion of the Latina community. This is a very powerful symposium. I have learned so much from this well organized conference. I am inspired to give back to my community, particularly the health issues. Through this symposium, I became aware of the issues the Latino community confronts every day and I want to make things culturally sensitive para nuestra gente! You have inspired and made the phrase 'Si se puede' much more powerful!"
- "Everything happens for a reason, even if we are not always sure what they are."
- "Some of us dream dreams. Some of us make dreams. Some of us share dreams. Gracias por sus sueños."
- "There are warriors inside everyone of us; do not be afraid to lift your sword."
- "El movimiento de Latinas es memorias pasadas, instruccion para el futuro y mas que nada, respeto para todas."
- "Me dio la Señora Rosa Perez un animo mas fuerte que todo cuando dijo, "We each have an old Indian woman in our spirits that we have to honor every day!" Con toda mi alma y esperanza para el futuro."
- "La cultura mexicana es una cultura matriarcal. Que las madres eduquen major a sus hijos/hijas en educacion, igualdad, respeto, autoestima, justicia."
- "Remember, a great revolutionary is moved by love for his/her people and not by hatred of its enemy" by Ernesto Che Guevarra"
- "It only takes a little effort to make an impact on someone's life... consider all of your effort, with all of its trials, a huge and wonderful impact in Chicana/Latina's life. Thank you for all of your effort!"
- "Despues de la tormenta,llega la paz! Atras de un gran hombre, hay una grande mujer!"
- "Don't be afraid. Try it!! You can do it!!"
- "You will always do well if you hold deep in your soul and remember from where you come. The proud culture and heritage of being a Mexicana."
- "Ten fe en dios, en ti, y en tu cultura. El que persevera, alcanza."
- "It's not what you know or who you know, it who knows you!"
- "No se sientan - Don't sit. Hagan algo - Do something! From my grandfather in Mexico"
- "Think, before doing something or talking. Do right!"
- "Those who believe they can change the world are the ones who do!"
- "Always remember, you work to live, not live to work!"
- "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. We need to take charge of our attitude! We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day."
- "May the Chicana/Latina Foundation continue its beautiful and much admired work - I applaude you all. Your caring attitude and inner beauty shines so brightly. Keep up the excellent journey- you inspired me a great deal today!"
- "Kisses/Hugs - xxx000xxx to Gloria Flores-Garcia and Carmen Castellano. That which does not kill you will make you stronger; May you grow stronger by the minute. Thank you for the energy you generated to pull off a great conference!"
- "In Lak ech. (Tu eres mi otra yo)"