This week's Hispanic Hero, presented by Northern California Honda Dealers, is Olga Talamante. She became the first Executive Director of the Chicana Latina Foundation (CLF) in January 2003. The Chicana Latina Foundation's mission is the Empowerment of Chicanas/Latinas through their Personal, Educational, and Professional Advancement.
Ms. Talamante's family migrated from Mexico to Gilroy, California in the early 1960's where they worked in the farm fields for several years.
"It is humbling to be recognized for doing the work I love," said Talamante. "To empower Latina women to be exceptional leaders in their professions and in the community.
She is widely respected for her community activism and leadership in the Chicano, Latin American solidarity, LGBTQ and progressive political movements.
Among her various awards, she was recognized as one of the most influential Hispanics in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the San Francisco Business Times. She received the Latino Heritage Community Award from the City of San Francisco, and in 2011 she received the prestigious OHTLI award from the Mexican Government.
"I am very proud of what we have accomplished at Chicana Latina Foundation," Talamante continued. "In my time there (almost 15 years), we have offered over a million dollars in scholarships and graduated 440 Latina student through our Leadership Institute. Those students achieve exceptional educational outcomes reflected in community college transfer rates (88%) and completion of BA degrees (95%)."
Four years ago she was honored to be a Community Grand Marshall for the San Francisco LGBTQ Pride Parade. Currently she serves on the Boards of El Concilio of San Mateo County; the Horizons Foundation and the Greenlining Institute. She recently received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the School of Education at the University of San Francisco and the Cesar Chavez Legacy Award in March of 2017.
