Sylvia Mendoza Brings Tales of 150 Latina Women of Passion and Success

Sylvia Mendoza

SONOMA, August 24, 2007 — Journalist Sylvia Mendoza writes stories of Latina women whose accomplishments in history, science, politics, art, and entertainment have impacted the world. She brings those tales to a Sonoma State University lecture at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 in the Cooperage.

Her lecture and book signing involves her most recent work called " The Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength, and Success."

Her new book highlights the contributions of 150 Latina women who range from political leaders like Eva Peron who ruled Argentina with flamboyance and an iron fist to pioneers like France Anne Cordova the youngest person to ever hold the Chief Scientist position at NASA.

There are politicians, writers, educators, entertainers, scientists and business entrepreneurs. There are chapters on women who were pioneers in their fields and opened the doors for other women to pursue careers as everything from doctors to bull fighters.

This is the kind of book that gives a little bit about the life of both St. Teresa of Avila and actress Rita Hayworth. There is the story of Pam Fernandes, who loses her sight in her late teens as a results of diabetes, and still goes on to win a gold medal for tandem cycling in the 2000 Paralympic Games in Australia. There is Ynez Mexia, who at 57 started a second career as a botanist and collected more than 100,000 plant specimens as she traveled everywhere from Argentina to Alaska.

Mendoza earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Southern California where she was awarded "Outstanding Graduate of Journalism" by the Society of Professional Journalists. She promotes ethnic diversity, literacy, writing as a profession, and women's empowerment through education.

She has garnered first place awards for Journalistic Excellence in California from the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Federation of Press Women. Her novel, Serenade, won the 2001 Latino Literary Hall of Fame Award for Best Romance.