Celebrating Sisterhood “Adobo” Style

By Belinda Passafaro

On the cusp of Women’s History Month, the Latino Leadership Circle presented their first ever  public event with author, Karen Valentin, who shared vignettes of her life and faith through the lens of her rich Latina heritage from her new book, “The Flavor of our Faith”. Following her readings, was a panel of outstanding Latinas sharing their insights and reflections on intergenerational relationships, culture,Panel1 and faith. What emerged that evening was a beautiful, intricate, tapestry woven together by our individual and collective journeys as women, as Latinas, and as Christians.

With over 70 attendees, it was a special evening filled with affirmation, celebration, reflection, and questions/issues that we, as Latinas, yet wrestle with in our ongoing struggle for equality and justice on all fronts. We embraced the beauty of our rich heritage – the strength, resiliency, and faith of the many “sheroes” in our lives. We embraced the struggle as well. The struggles shared were familiar ones of old world perspective vs. new world perspective, cultural expectations vs. societal expectations, legalism vs. grace, and the Christian lens vs. cultural lens. We voiced the need to “unlearn” some things tImg_7815hat have kept us historically in “the box” of predetermined roles and inequality, the need to continue to ask the questions and discuss pertinent issues within authentic circles, and to allow Christ to redeem our culture as well. He surely came to save that which was lost, that is not solely for the salvation of individuals but includes all that encompasses our lives, including our cultural identities as unique members of the Body of Christ.

The evening concluded with a wonderful time of fellowship, sharing, and book signings. Special shout out and special thanks to the amazing women who joined with me as panelists that evening, Mayra Lopez Humphreys, Sandra Luz Otero, and Karen ValImg_7760entin. You are all my sisters! Like a wonderful “sancocho”, we each added our own particular ingredients and flavor to the evening. As is true of our Latinaness, it was rich, it was diverse, it was extremely satisfying and yes, left us wanting more. Until the next time…

Belinda Passafaro, aka “Trinity”

4 Comments

  1. Hola Belinda,
    Thanks for continuing to challenge us…the Latinos/Hombres of the group to see beyond our cultural matrix (no pun intended, Trinity). I’m looking forward to a continuing evolution, a transcendent expression, which not only weaves prophetic female perspectives into our tapestry, but allows them to become a harbinger that points toward a new kind of community.
    Si se puede!

  2. Belinda,
    This is the beginning of some wonderful experiences and fruitful collaboration. You were awesome that evening! Thank you, Karen Valentin, Myra & Sandra for being our panelists that evening. Thank you for all the passion and work you put into this event.
    Devo a.k.a Morpheus :o)

  3. Congrats mi gente! Lovin’ what you all are doing in la Gran Manzana!
    Liz aka Niobe (lol)

  4. Mi Gente,
    It was an awesome event. I experienced it through video. Thanks for the shout out at the end. We will be pod and vodcasting it in a couple of days.
    =-=
    Luis aka Seraph

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