22 WEST MAGAZINE STUDENT LIFE
Que Buen Año Entre
Las Hermanas Unidas
WRITTEN BY ISABELLA SIQUEIRA
W
ithin the Hispanic and Latinx commu-
social services.” The organization strives to provide
at Long Beach State as she had been “scared of
nities, there have been advancements
a safe and educational environment for those of the
not fitting in with the right people.” For her, HAU
and achievements within the past year.
Latinx community.
has helped her find her place and has allowed her
From Bad Bunny receiving the title of “Artist of
Out of HAU’s board members stands Nadia
to connect with others who are like her. Being a
the Year” by Apple Music to twenty-five-year-old
Gonzalez, one of the co-chairs. Since she has been
first-generation Latina herself, Nadia has realized
Afro-Cuban Maxwell Frost becoming the first to
a part of HAU for some time now, she has been
the importance of “reaching out” to the Latinx
represent Gen Z in Congress, the Latinx commu-
able to reflect on the progress the organization has
community, as being involved with her cultural side
nity has much to celebrate this year. While these are
made this past year. She says that this year specif-
has made her feel “more confident and safer.”
broader and even international examples, the Latinx
ically, it felt as if the club began to grow rapidly as it
community has also flourished here on campus.
has “given a sense of home to so many students.”
Among the several student-led clubs and orga-
For several students, especially those who come
nizations here at LBSU, Hermanas Unidas (HAU) is
from different backgrounds and speak other
one of the few that focus on the Latinx community.
languages, it is often hard to find a place where they
Hermanas Unidas is a non-profit organization that
can relate to others and be their authentic selves.
[revolves] around four pillars: “community, wellness,
Fortunately, HAU has allowed many Latinx students
academic and
to find their place on campus. For this reason, Nadia
Next semester, Nadia intends to introduce
“Fortunately, HAU has allowed many Latinx students to find their place on campus.”
and her fellow co-chair have two main goals for the upcoming year: “to create a welcoming space… [and] to have many returners each meeting.”
“shadowing a steering position.” She defines this as
They hope to achieve these two goals in
a way members will be able to “shadow,” or see, how
order for members to bond closely with
each club officer “performs their tasks.” In doing
one another. Currently, Nadia says
this, Nadia hopes that those who are interested
the club participates in icebreakers
in becoming an officer can understand the differ-
and other activities to help encour-
ent roles among board members to help decide
age participation among members
which role would suit them best and to get an idea
and to help provide a fun break from
of how the club functions “behind the scenes.” She
their studies.
looks forward to making new friends with those in
While she, her co-chair, and
the club and HAU’s annual state conference, where
other officers oversee creating a space
members can network with other HAU chapters in
for Latinx individuals to learn and grow,
the state. The club is active on Instagram, where
Nadia has learned a lot about herself [since
they post updates and meeting information. The
she started running the club]. She says that at
HAU chapter here at LBSU awaits more members
first, it was difficult for her to find her place here
26
and participation next year.
