Today's Podcast: Latina Rooted Leadership helped her to Persevere and Overcome
Por Lorena Mora-Mowry
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In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, Latina Today Podcast and Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA have launched Rooted Leadership / Liderazgo Arraigado, an initiative dedicated to highlighting the narratives that inspire Latino-rooted leadership, accomplishments, legacies, and lived experiences from across the United States.
In an inspiring interview, Lorena Mora-Mowry engages in a conversation with Mayra Camarena, a remarkable student who embodies the essence of rooted leadership.
Mayra is currently enrolled at Gateway Community & Technical College, where she is pursuing a Nursing certificate. In addition to her academic pursuits, she works as a Patient Care Assistant at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Florence, Kentucky.
During the interview, Mayra discusses her upbringing and cultural background, which have shaped her life.
In 2020, she commenced her first semester in pre-medicine. Since no family member had previously pursued higher education, she was unfamiliar with scholarship opportunities and solely relied on FAFSA, securing a loan for the remaining expenses.
Consequently, Mayra accumulated a debt of $50,000. Tragically, her single mother fell ill and was unable to continue working. In response to her mother’s encouragement, Mayra resolved to resume her nursing studies in the fall of 2024, following a three-and-a-half-year hiatus. As the sole financial provider for her household, she must concurrently pursue full-time employment and academic commitments.
Gradually, she aspires to acquire a nursing certificate while harboring aspirations of becoming a nurse practitioner, fulfilling her childhood aspiration of becoming a physician.
As a member of the Latino community, Mayra advises, “Embrace your identity and heritage.
Recognize the sacrifices made by others for your better life. Let this inspire your actions. Engage in activities that resonate with you, share your experiences, and educate others to the best of your abilities. Do not succumb to setbacks, as I did when I had to pause my life for a period. However, I believe that part of what it means to be Latino is to persevere and overcome challenges. Embrace your resilience and return stronger, allowing it to guide your future.”
Mayra’s narrative exemplifies the indomitable human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and pursue higher education. It also demonstrates the ability to adapt and make necessary adjustments in the face of challenges. Furthermore, it underscores the profound impact and support that parents can provide during our most arduous moments.
