Photo: Supplied/People en Español / Courtesy
For his tenacity, entrepreneurship and dedication , three Latinas were recognized as Women of Valor and Power (MVP) by the National Soccer League (NFL) and People en Español magazine, a few days before the Super Bowl in the city that will host the great event next Sunday.
Natalia Dorantes, chief of staff with the Washington Commanders; NFL Total Access host MJ Acosta-Ruiz and Liliana Pérez, director of cultural affairs with the Los Angeles Chargers were chosen for pioneering the industry of one of the most popular American sports in the world.
Monique Manso, a publicist for People en Español, said it was a historic moment because it was the first time that the magazine and the NFL had joined forces to recognize the Women of Valor and Power, qualifiers very well represented by those selected for the event.
Liliana Pérez
After having forged a career in politics for more than 25 years ago and without doubting her ability, Liliana Pérez decided to make a drastic change in her career two years ago when she started working for the Los Angeles Chargers football team.
Pérez was born in Mexico and immigrated with his family to Los Angeles at a very young age. She grew up in one of the most underserved areas, Pico/Union, and was undocumented until she was 02 years.
Already in politics he served six administrations of the Assembly and a Governor of California. She is proud to say that issues that impact immigrants, minorities and women have always been present in her political career.
“Now at my 30 years I am proud of to say that is what success looks like. Success is not based on gender [deporte dominado por hombres], but on oneself and the difference you make to others”.
Pérez, who is the director of cultural affairs with the Chargers, said that in 2019 she received the invitation from the team , becoming the first Latina to work in that position for the franchise.
The director made it very clear that she is not only a representative of a football team that is on the rise, but she is an immigrant first, and although is an American citizen, she is proud to say that whenever she can, she represents her Latino and Mexican community.
“My passion it has always been to serve the public and take into account the needs of the people,” said Pérez.
Natalia Dorantes4077
Another woman recognized as MVP was Natalia gilding s, who is the chief of staff with the Washington Commanders.
Dorantes is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and said she does not forget her roots nor the example that he received mainly from his mother.
“My grandparents faced their fears and my mother even with the barrier of language has achieved much and continues to achieve. She is really my inspiration,” said Dorantes.
This example at home has given him the courage to fight for his ideals and not be afraid to show his ability. At the beginning of 2021, the young woman from 27 years ago she attended the NFL Women’s Career virtual conference and without hesitation, she showed up with the coach of the team of the Commanders, Ron Rivera.
After demonstrating her ability and knowledge in the sport, Rivera offered her a job that the then coordinator of recruiting communications for the Texas A&M football team, could not decline.
Since April 2021, Dorantes has worked closely with all of the organization’s department heads to manage Rivera’s internal requests. He emphasized that one of his hopes is that football eventually becomes an inclusive sport for all, not only in fandom but also in terms of employment opportunities.
“Team leaders always take you account in all their decisions and the people they hire and include, give them a seat at the table. So it’s great to be a part of the organization,” said Dorantes.
The young woman still gets emotional when she tells her She has become his number one fan and despite the fact that he knows nothing about soccer, he is excited to see his daughter on screen.
He recalled that he recently had the opportunity to take his parents to his first NFL football game and his mother was excited to see how much he has accomplished at such a young age.
Dorantes said that there is a well-known saying that says, “if you can see it, you can achieve it” so she recommends to all women not to be afraid to visualize themselves in their next successful project.
MJ Acosta-Ruiz
NFL Total Access host MJ Acosta-Ruiz said it’s important to see people who they represent minorities so they can feel represented. She is even proud to say that it is the representation for her niece who is her number one fan.
“The biggest barrier to date is that there is no equitable representation of women, and as long as that happens to have equality”, he emphasized.