About HOPE's Advocacy

Latinas make up 20% of California’s population and 40% of all women, yet remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making spaces. Despite our growing purchasing power—which shapes markets and sustains diverse business sectors—representation lags behind. In 2023, Latinas held only 3.3% of corporate board seats in California and comprised just 9% of gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions. 

Closing these gaps is essential to building pathways for leaders shaped by the Latina experience to help guide California’s political, social, and economic future. By doing so, we strengthen democracy and ensure decision-making reflects the diversity and needs of all communities. 

Policy Priorities 

• Increase Representation: Expand access to state and local leadership roles. 

• Ensure Accountability: Improve data collection and reporting to track gaps in representation and equitable resource distribution. 

• Combat Discrimination: Advance policies that address systemic barriers and strengthen protections against racism and inequality. 

• Boost Civic Engagement: Eliminate barriers to voting and public participation, ensuring broad and fair access to democratic processes. 

Economic equity is essential for leaders shaped by the Latina experience to realize their full potential, yet systemic barriers persist. In 2022, Latinas earned only 42 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men, underscoring a wage gap that limits financial stability and economic mobility.

At the same time, Latina entrepreneurs are driving growth. Between 2018 and 2021, Latina-owned businesses grew by 26.5%, generating nearly 147,000 jobs and over $5.9 billion in payroll annually. These contributions demonstrate the vital role Latinas play in strengthening families, local economies, and the broader marketplace. Supporting policies that address these disparities is critical not only to advancing opportunity for Latinas, but also to building a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits everyone.

Policy Priorities 

• Empower Entrepreneurs: Improve access to capital, technical assistance, and business growth programs.

• Protect Families & Safety Nets: Strengthen poverty relief programs and ensure family stability.

• Expand Economic Mobility: Increase financial literacy, access to wealth-building tools, and career pathways. 

• Support Workers: Advocate for paid leave, affordable childcare, and equal pay protections.

Latinas are making significant progress in educational attainment, yet systemic barriers continue to create gaps in opportunity. With Hispanic students representing 56% of California’s K–12 enrollment, ensuring access to high-quality, affordable education is essential to preparing the state’s future workforce and sustaining a strong democracy. In 2023, 87% of Latinas graduated from high school, surpassing the state average. However, only 18% of Latinas aged 25+ had earned a bachelor’s degree, compared to 48% of White women. 

HOPE’s research highlights the importance of advancing educational opportunity through the lens of the Latina experience, recognizing that when more students succeed in college and career pathways, entire communities benefit from greater economic stability, leadership representation, and civic participation. 

Policy Priorities 

• Strengthen K–12 to College Pathways: Expand dual enrollment and early college opportunities that prepare students for higher education. 

• Make College Affordable & Accessible: Promote reforms that reduce financial barriers and expand access to higher education for all. 

• Build Career Pathways: Provide mentorship, training, and connections to high-demand fields, including STEM, health, and public service. 

• Promote Inclusive Education: Ensure schools are responsive to the diverse experiences of students, including multilingual learners, and reflect California’s rich cultural heritage. 

Access to affordable, quality healthcare is a cornerstone of opportunity. Yet systemic barriers continue to affect many communities, and data show how these challenges uniquely impact Latinas. In California, where Latinas make up a significant share of the population, the uninsured rate for Latinas reached 8.8% in 2022, compared to the state average of 6.5%. Nationally, Latinas face an uninsured rate 3.5 times higher than White women, reflecting gaps that can limit long-term health and economic stability. 

Through HOPE’s research and programs—grounded in the Latina experience—we shine a light on these disparities to inform solutions that strengthen our healthcare systems and ensure that all communities benefit from equitable access and healthier futures. 

Policy Priorities 

• Expand Coverage: Advance policies that ensure affordable, accessible healthcare for every individual and family. 

• Culturally Responsive Care: Promote care models that are inclusive, community-informed, and responsive to diverse experiences. 

• Improve Health Outcomes: Support efforts to reduce disparities in maternal health, reproductive health, and overall wellness. 

• Workforce Pathways in Health: Create opportunities for professionals to pursue careers in healthcare, including leadership roles, to strengthen representation and innovation.