My background is an essential part of my values, ethics, and who I am today. 

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I come from a Mexican/Puerto Rican steel mill family from NW IN.  My childhood memories are filled with family, extended family, friends, and community.  I was the oldest grandchild on both sides of my family.  This meant that I learned responsibility early in life helping watch my younger siblings and cousins. I was blessed to have my parents, all my grandparents, and great-grandparents in my life as a young person.  And coming from a large family meant always having someone at your side when you needed it (even if you didn't know you needed it!). 

 

In my memory, success in life meant having a job that could support your family, a partner, children, and your community. Higher education just wasn't discussed as part of my future. Not that I wouldn't do well.  I was a single mother when I graduated high school.  A kind school counselor said I could go to college and helped me reach that goal.  Two weeks after high school I was in college in an early admissions program. By the time my daughter graduated kindergarten, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University.  Two weeks after that graduation, I was in graduate school at the University of Illinois because I had two wonderful female bosses who believed in me.  So, by the age of 23, I graduated my a Master of Library Science.  Most people who know me know that I love to read, spin fiber, learn new things, and can't sit still.  And I love good organization and planning, and great coffee. 

 

During grad school, I met my husband and we moved to NY as he worked toward his doctorate.  Over more than 25 years of marriage, and a son, we moved around the US and Venezuela.  We were fortunate to live and thrive in diverse communities.  Urban, rural, diverse, and homogenous.  We have made communities in each space.  Now, back in the midwest, we are blessed to live near family again - especially grandchildren!

 

In each stage of my life, there have been special women in my life - my madrinas.  Women who have been there for me, have supported me, made me laugh, and helped me understand the world around me.  These were my actual madrinas (Nina and Edith), aunts, great aunts, cousins, friends, neighbors, and even co-workers.  In nearly every kind of community, there are madrinas.  

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Now, after 27 years of working with nonprofits, local governments, community organizations, and small businesses, I started Madrina Consulting.  I am using the lessons learned from my madrinas, my education, and my experience to benefit other women-identifying and BIPOC leaders in small businesses and nonprofits.