In May of 2006 I co-founded MomsRising with a mission of creating a multicultural movement of mothers – and of everyone who has ever had a mother! – to advance family economic security and to end discrimination against mothers. Since then, MomsRising has grown to a million members nationwide, including members in every state in our nation, who according to an analysis we commissioned, mirror the U.S. Census in terms of race and ethnicity. 

Together, we are a powerful force. MomsRising has already celebrated many victories along the way in our top policy areas. These wins include helping to pass paid maternity and paternity leave policies, as well as paid sick days policies in local and state jurisdictions; making it possible for more children from lower income families to have access to quality and affordable childcare; ensuring healthier school meals and snacks; passing policies that increase access to healthcare for millions of people; advocating for deferred action for undocumented children known as DREAMERs so that they can live and work in the United States -- and much more!

Now we can add another milestone: The launch of a Spanish language MamásConPoder website to further serve our bilingual and Spanish-speaking members.  

We have named the site MamásConPoder, or MomsWithPower, to convey the political power of Latina mothers in our country. At the web address www.MamásConPoder.org, Latina moms will have the option to join a Spanish-only e-mail list with information, actions, and petitions on key issues of concern to families; write blog posts and read other blog posts of relevance to the U.S. Hispanic community; and learn about other ways to get involved in order to help create a more family-friendly nation. 

At MomsRising, we have long recognized that we are stronger when everyone in our communities has a voice and is involved in shaping the policies that impact our lives. Latinos, including those whose predominant language is Spanish, are a powerful and growing force in our nation who cannot, and should not, be ignored.

According to the U.S. Census, 37 million people in the United States speak Spanish, the most spoken language in the country after English. The number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. has grown rapidly -- projected to jump from 16.9 percent in 2012 to 30.2 percent in 2050.

In addition, Latinos are poised to further influence the U.S. economy, culture, politics and policies. Every year, 800,000 Latinos turn 18, leading to 40 million potential voters in 2030, according to Pew Research.

By opening avenues for all mothers to have a voice in shaping the laws and policies that affect all of our lives, members of MomsRising.org / MamásConPoder.org can take action on timely issues such as fair pay for mothers, quality early learning programs for our children, immigration reform, workplace policies that affect family economic security, access to healthy food, and more. 

To become a member – it’s free! -- we ask mothers, and anyone who has ever had a mother, to sign up at the website MomsRising.org or MamásConPoder.org. You can also fill out the “Contáctenos” form to offer your feedback or inquire about blogging for the website.

¡Mil gracias! Our staff looks forward to meeting you at MamásConPoder.org!