Latina Mami

Response to Lack of Support

Founded in 2000 by Gloria Pérez-Walker, Latina Mami strives to serve as a major resource network for Latina mothers by running projects that have included a babysitting cooperative, support groups, and bilingual newsletters on parenting written by Latina mothers. Pérez-Walker founded Latina Mami in response to what she felt was an overwhelming lack of support services and resources for working-class Latina mothers and their children in the Austin area. By providing resources such as babysitting, cultural events, and maternity and baby clothes, Latina Mami aims to empower and educate Latina mothers despite the social, economic, and language barriers they may face. The organization is also unique in its understanding of the ways Latina mothers experience life as nonwhite members of the working class, and as women living among a dominant culture. This recognition of the multiple factors that affect Latina women sets Latina Mami apart from the vast majority of maternal and women's support groups.

Latina Mami has been described as a politically conscious maternal organization in that its philosophy states its desire to unite people of color in the community who share a history of colonization. As many feminist scholars of color have argued, such grassroots community-building grants marginalized people agency and mobility in what may be a sexually and racially hostile environment. In addition, the existence of groups such as Latina Mami also serves as a way to make working-class Latina mothers visible members of the Austin community. Thus, although the group's name would imply services for Latina mothers only, it attempts to build coalitions among African American, Asian American, and indigenous people living in the community as well. Latina Mami's philosophy states that Latino communities and families thrive when their mothers are mobile, healthy, and actively involved in the area at large.

Pérez-Walker and member Jeannette Monsalve are also responsible for a radio talk show called Mamis of Color, which entails much of Latina Mami's mission. Latina Mami has also organized against antiviolence projects. Projects are organized and run solely by volunteer Latina mothers in an effort to distinguish the group from most traditional nonprofit charities. Latina Mami has developed a Website as well, which makes the organization more visible outside the Austin region. The Website contains brief statements on the organization's history, its goals, and philosophy, in addition to contact information.