Spring Ushers in the 11th Mujer Preparate: A Celebration of Community, Wellness, and the Power of Partnership
The Women’s Conference, Mujer Preparate, was held on Saturday, May 2nd from 1–5 PM, and welcomed 150 Latina women from across the region into a curated space filled with soft pink tones, fresh flowers, and a warm sense of unity. Many of the participants were wearing their best business casual as staff, volunteers, and speakers all wore white, creating a bright and uplifting atmosphere for the day. Hosted by Centro para Familias Hispanas, Mujer Preparate para el Exito (Women, Get Ready for Success) is a conference that seeks to empower Latina women in their roles as mothers, professionals and business owners.
As CpFH Program Director Maty Ferrer Hoppmann shared, “At CpFH we meet women with different needs and backgrounds, all looking to build a future for their families. It was out of that need that we and the Council on Immigrant Relations (CIR) helped start this empowering conference 11 years ago.”
A central highlight of the afternoon was the Success Stories Panel, featuring Pilar Rocha, Patricia Parada, Rosalina Palacios, and Ana Lepe Vick, with Dr. MariaRosa Rangel moderating and Xóchitl Carlos co‑moderating. Their stories resonated deeply, leaving attendees visibly emotional. Throughout the day, conference goers attended workshops targeting themes of emotional well‑being and self‑care. These sessions used practical tools like journaling, budgeting, art therapy, and positive thinking.
Ferrer Hoppman described the room with heartfelt admiration: “Women were so happy and excited to be at the conference, you could breathe harmony and joy. There was a sense of sisterhood and belonging that everyone noticed. I’m positive the women had a great time.”
The presence of dedicated community partners and sponsors further strengthened the conference and demonstrated the reach and success of its mission. Attendees engaged with sponsoring organizations including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, My Familia en Accion, Paladin Group of Morgan & Stanley, La Tropa Emprendedora, PRIME Insurance Solutions, SSP Café de Mujeres, Mujeres Latinas NC, L&S Experience Co., Latino Servi‑Tax, Latin Cooperative@ Credit Union, and Mila Meekins Real Estate. The involvement of these sponsors highlighted the broad network of advocates committed to empowering Latina women and families. Additionally, the conference had a few delightful small business vendors, selling handmade jewelry and confections.
This year’s conference was a tremendous success and reaffirmed the power of community, the importance of culturally rooted support, and the strength that emerges when women gather to learn and uplift one another. CpFH proudly continues this partnership and remains dedicated to serving women and families with compassion and dignity. If you or someone you know could benefit from the resources, programs, or support offered through Centro para Familias Hispanas, please visit:
https://www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/programs/centro-para-familias-hispanas/