Out of the approximately 500 students present, 20 Watkins Mill High School students attended the third annual Latina Legacy Conference on November 7, 2024, at Montgomery College–Takoma Park.

The Latina Legacy Conference was organized to inspire, empower, and unite female students around Montgomery County Public Schools. Driven by Latina leadership, this was an opportunity to build bridges for Latina scholars. Lulu Muñoz, an ESOL Counselor at Watkins Mill, said, “The conference is to help Latinas have a good role model and be leaders in the future.” 

This year’s conference centered on the theme “¡Empoderadas: Unleashing Our Power!” It included seven topics, with seminars like “Latina Narratives: Storytelling for Change,” “Advocacy & Civic Engagement,” and “Newcomer Resources.” 

The conference included four panel topics, and students were able to choose which to attend. The panels featured speakers who engaged with the students and shared their experiences and journeys as Latinas.

Junior Camila Pupo said, “Listening to different stories of many Latinas and their experiences… impacted me in building self-esteem and being proud of my roots.”

Right after lunch, students were introduced to a variety of workshops they were able to attend. Out of the 15 workshops, one of them was hosted by Watkins Mill junior Tracy Espinoza alongside two Rockville High School students and an organizer from the County Collaborative Council.

By the end of the conference, Watkins Mill students were able to see and understand the importance of Latina culture and the experiences of other Latinas.

Senior Erika Gonzalez was especially moved.

“I learned about sisterhood and the importance of it,” Gonzalez said, “I was able to hear the stories women had about the difficulties they faced to get where they were now, how it empowered them. In a way, it helped as motivation for me. It reminded me that I can do whatever I want in life, all with a little bit of passion and perseverance. “