As part of Women’s History Month, community leaders and organizations from the greater Philadelphia area came together to host “Todas Juntas: Workshop on Finance, Mental Health, and Community.” The event, held on March 24 at Widener University, brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, and women with business ideas interested in strengthening their economic independence and overall well-being.
Organized by Widener University, the Madre Tierra Women’s Integral Center, Greenline Access Capital, Mujeres que Inspiran, the Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX) and Esperanza Housing & Economic Development (EHED), the space was aimed to provide practical tools, access to resources, and key connections for the Latino community.
Liliana Montero Salazar, a bilingual business consultant at Widener University’s Hispanic Center of Excellence, highlighted the purpose of the event: “We planned this with a lot of love to bring the best panelists and talk about mental health, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.” She also emphasized the importance of these initiatives: “These events give women the tools to understand systems, regulations, and available resources, helping them overcome language barriers and lack of information.”
Organizers encouraged the community to stay informed and take advantage of available resources. “Stay informed, there are resources in Spanish that can make the path to entrepreneurship easier,” Montero Salazar said.
A space for support, connection, and growth
The gathering not only provided information but also fostered networking among women with similar goals. Mayorie Paredes, CEO of Mujeres que Inspiran, highlighted the value of these connections: “Women meet others with the same vision, share concerns, learn from one another, and build friendships that over time become family.”
Meanwhile, Tomasina Sosa from INDEX emphasized the impact on the Dominican and broader Latino diaspora: “We are working on the mental health and quality of life of our community. It is very important for people to know where to find resources and support currently.”
The event also featured participation from various organizations working across different sectors. Arianne Bracho of the Madre Tierra Integral Center explained: “We are several organizations working together to bring the community access to resources, leadership development, and well-being. Many times, women take a back seat, and we need them to take care of their health while building their businesses.”
Monica Parrilla, Commercial Corridor Manager for EHED and a business owner herself, highlighted the importance of creating spaces for balance and support for women entrepreneurs:
“Today I am representing Esperanza’s Economic Development Department because I believe many women business owners need to take that pause in life. We are entrepreneurs, we are mothers, and it is important to find a balance between time and health so we can take care of ourselves and grow as entrepreneurs.”
“This type of event is important for our community because we are not alone. Sometimes we think, ‘Oh my God, I’m alone, balancing so many things in my life,’ but we are not. We have a support network, we have networking opportunities, and each person has connections that can help us build relationships and remind us that we are not alone”, she continued.
“For those who want to learn more about these types of events and about Esperanza, I say: connect with Esperanza. We work by bringing funds from the City of Philadelphia to the entrepreneurs and connecting the community with nonprofit organizations. At this event, all the sponsors are here for one another.”
Accessible information for the community
“All Together” featured panel discussions, resource tables, guided networking, and a keynote presentation by Varsovia Fernández, CEO of the Pennsylvania CDFI Network, who addressed access to capital and the growth of minority-led businesses.
Participating organizations invite the community to follow their social media channels and stay connected with future initiatives that continue to empower Latina women in the region.