From intentional conversations over morning coffee to deep, transformative healing, the Mujer, Inc. sisterhood is thriving. This spring, our community channeled incredible momentum across two powerful events, proving that when Mujeres gather, magic happens.
In April, our members kicked things off with breakfast, cafecito, and beautiful hermanidad at Bitzee-Mama’s Restaurant in Glendale, Arizona.
We carried that vibrant energy straight into May, where Mujer board member and Life Coach Cecilia Quiroz facilitated Reset & Reclaim: A Mujer Wellness Experience. This empowering art therapy workshop focused on mental health, healing, and personal growth through creativity.
Cafecito Served With Hermanidad
On April 25, Mujer, Inc. members spent a beautiful morning chatting about community impact, overcoming adversity, and lifting one another up. The conversation flowed freely, paired with a side of cafecito and an amazing meal provided by long-time supporter, Bitz-ee Mama’s.
This laid-back gathering gave our members a safe space to connect, share powerful stories, and reflect on our core mission: empowering the lives of young Chicanas and Latinas so they can carry on the torch of cultural and community impact.
Video by Martha Castro
Resetting and Reclaiming
“Today is not about becoming someone new. It is about reconnecting with the parts of yourself that survival forced you to disconnect from.”
These were the powerful words that resonated within our mujeres as they painted and connected in healing.
On Saturday, May 9, we gathered at Credit Union West in Glendale for a morning of painting, resetting, reclaiming, connecting, and healing. It was an emotional gathering, and the stories shared let those present know that they are not alone.
“As Latinas, we learned how to survive before we learned how to feel emotionally safe,” said Dr. Cecilia. “But trauma isn’t just about what happened to you. It’s what you had to overcome to survive it.
As brushes stroked the original art, carefully stitched on each easel by local Arizona artist Abigail Pacheco, attendees around the room listened and nodded in agreement.
Photo by Brandy Castillo
Many attendees related to Dr. Cecilia’s discussion on how easily we adopt criticism over compassion, turning into our own worst inner critics. As women, we frequently shame ourselves, set unrealistic expectations, feel guilty for resting, and carry the weight of everyone else’s world on our shoulders. We mastered survival coping mechanisms: suppressing, enduring, protecting, and simply functioning.
To truly reclaim ourselves, Dr. Cecilia noted, we must shift from surviving to healing and begin speaking to ourselves with radical self-compassion. She posed a vital question to the room: “What are you reclaiming today? Is it peace, your voice, rest, joy, confidence, boundaries, softness, emotional safety, or self-worth?”
As brushes continued to swish, universal truths echoed throughout the room.
- Stories of love, heartbreak, and betrayal
- Stories of losing mothers and cherished loved ones
- Stories of breaking generational trauma
- Stories of empowerment and hope
The true magic came from the vulnerability of these truths. One attendee shared her journey of overcoming violence in a past relationship and finding love again with a supportive partner who encouraged her to attend. Though she walked into the room not knowing a single soul, she braved the unknown.
“I now know I’m not alone,” she said.
From Generation to Generation
With the workshop taking place over Mother’s Day weekend, the theme of maternal legacy took center stage.
Board Member Alicia Rubio, who painted alongside her daughter Isabella, said, “Everything I do is for her, for her future.” Alicia proudly shared that Isabella, a 2026 high school graduate, is already breaking stereotypes and empowering peers as a female wrestler (stay tuned, we will be sharing her amazing story soon).
“She is why I’m here. She’s why I do what I do,” Alicia added.
Video by Martha Castro
Rosa Maria Garcia, who joined Mujer, Inc. at just 19 years old and is now a mother of four daughters, echoed the sentiment. “We need self care. We need to take care of each other. And this is a safe place for all of us to vent because we’re all going through a lot. Sometimes, we don’t talk about it, and it’s okay to talk to each other. And we build friendships as well.”
By the afternoon’s end, every canvas revealed a unique journey: reflecting the good, the difficult, and the beautiful. Yet, every single painting held a common thread of hope—a visual promise to keep fighting for an empowering future for the next generation of inspiring Mujeres.
Walking With Resilience
Through these powerful gatherings, Mujeres young and seasoned connected, reclaimed their peace, and reset their intentions. But our work is far from finished.
We invite you to bring your voice, your resilience, and your unique story to our upcoming summer events. Please join us for our Summer General Membership Meeting, and most importantly, come celebrate 45 years of Chicana and Latina empowerment—a legacy that has transformed lives for generations, and will continue to do so with you by our side.