Meet Latinitas El Paso’s Program Outreach Leader, Monica Wrobel. She is a newcomer to the Southwest from Buffalo, NY, here as a year-long volunteer with the Border Servant Corps. In May 2017, she graduated from Canisius College with majors in International Relations, Political Science, Latin American Studies, and Spanish. Through her program, not only does she have the pleasure of working with Latinitas, but also is able to collaborate with local community partners on social justice issues and initiatives in the border region.
Why did you choose your majors?
As I became more aware in high school of enduring social injustices in the world, I desired to learn how to be part of making systemic change through institutional channels. In International Relations and Political Science, understanding the official structures of power in societies is vital to know where I can use my voice and education in advocacy. For Spanish language and Latin American Studies, I found my love of communication with a greater diversity of people and engagement in the unique traditions and histories of Latinx cultures. Examining how the United States policy has impacted Latin American countries, for better and for worse, brought my majors together to see the need for informed dialogue to amend broken and corrupt power dynamics and cultivate mutually advantageous partnerships.
What made you want to join Latinitas?
I love how Latinitas celebrates the identities of young Latinas, and all young women, by helping them tap into the incredible strengths, energy, and potential they already possess. By nurturing creativity and community, the organization fosters positive recognition of our interdependent gifts and counters debilitating stereotypes that Latina youth face. Seeing the Latinitas’ programs take direct action in building up and challenging one another to grow is an attractive and uplifting environment to work in!
What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
Outside of work, you can usually find me doing cooking experiments for my roommates to try, playing piano or ukulele, and spending as much time in the sun. I truly love the outdoors, so hiking and exploring the Franklin Mountains in El Paso has been so energizing and relaxing for me!
Who is one of your role models and why?
One role model who I aspire to be like is Lea Thau, the producer and host of the podcast Strangers. Her emphasis on sharing the diverse stories of people around the world to create empathy for those we don’t know personally and create challenging dialogue is so motivational.
What is your idea of a dream job and how will your involvement with Latinitas get you there?
My dream job would likely involve being an investigative journalist with my own podcast, focusing on the stories and rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers in the United States. Being at Latinitas is like having a crash course in all the different facets of writing and producing media, so I know that learning from the experience and talents of my coworkers will only empower my own future work, whatever it may be!
What is one of your favorite hobbies and how’d you get started with it?
I love to play ukulele and sing with friends — it’s a simple instrument to play that anyone can learn, and it’s easy to carry with me when I travel.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Watching the Great British Bake Off while eating baked treats — it’s the only competition show that doesn’t stress me out!
What are the best and worst uses of the internet?
To me, the best uses of the internet has been the greater awareness of diverse communities and movements that stretch worldwide across borders. Unfortunately, the constant state of being ‘plugged in’ to the Internet–for work, school, and entertainment–also makes it easy for us to be detached from our own communities if we are not more careful.
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