Circle de Luz

Radical Empowerment April 8, 2008

“The Circle de Luz Giving Network provides scholarship funds and support to young Latinas in order to radically empower and inspire them to pursue further education upon graduation from high school.”

Radically empower. When you take time to read the mission statement of Circle de Luz you see those words. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a group with objectives so great? When I was approached to join this amazing group of women and heard the sobering statistics about Latinas I wanted to join in partnership with other women to help young girls across the country.

This past August, at 31 years old, I became a mother for the first time. Somewhere in the U.S. at the same time a much younger, Latina woman was giving birth to her first baby as well. Although we may both have similar potential, the stats say it’s likely her life will take a path that makes it difficult for her to fulfill that potential. Instead of finishing high-school, she might drop out and give up that dream of being a teacher one day. Instead of pursuing a college degree, she’ll devote much of her time to raising her child, giving up the education and opportunities a college education would provide.

By joining Circle de Luz I hope my time and resources can help change the odds for a young Latina woman in our country. Maybe the prospect of a college scholarship or the relationship formed with a friend in the Circle might be the catalyst needed to change her life and, in turn, change the future generations of her family.

—Jennifer Fowler, Circle de Luz Board Member