Two 10-year recognitions were celebrated for Mujeres en Acción and the Adelante Con Orgullo Mujer Inmigrante (ACOMI) Conference, in Salinas at the Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 9.
Mujeres En Acción, which began in 2016, is a nonprofit program designed as a mutual support approach for women to achieve personal goals and develop their leadership skills through weekly training and mentoring meetings.
“Over the past decade, we have had the privilege of working alongside more than 500 immigrant, Latina and Indigenous women across Monterey and Santa Cruz counties," said Maria Elena Manzo, executive director of Mujeres En Acción, during the meeting. “We have witnessed women find their voice, build confidence, pursue education and employment opportunities, advocate for their families and become leaders in the communities. This recognition belongs to those women.”
Mujeres en Acción celebrated alongside ACOMI its 10-year anniversary on Feb. 7, where more than 200 women came together to learn, connect and celebrate the strength and contributions of immigrant women in the community.
ACOMI, an annual conference and community-led keynote, usually held at Hartnell College, includes panel discussions and workshops that reflect a commitment to advancing health equity and strengthening leadership among Spanish-speaking immigrant women. Workshop topics include mental health, entrepreneurship, adult education and access to legal services.
The conference has served more than 1,500 attendees over 10 conferences.
During the meeting, Maria Zarate, a mother to four children and a member of Mujeres en Acción, who has attended the conferences, shared her story.
“Mujeres en Acción motivated me to go to college and I just graduated with an associate’s in social work and human services and currently go to [CSU Monterey Bay], pursuing a sociology degree,” Zarate said.
Zarate shared that the programs have helped her navigate her future in life after the birth of her last child and little to no family help.
“ACOMI is more than a conference; it creates opportunities, builds connections and helps women feel welcomed and supported,” said Angelica Chavez, who works at the Health Equity office of Monterey County and helps coordinate ACOMI. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that healthier women build healthier families and stronger communities.”