Medicine Made by Us, for Us
US Latinas experience some of the highest rates of depression in the country, yet, we have limited tools that work for us. Telling our stories & sharing our magick is our medicine.
Latina Magick is a platform that amplifies the untold stories of resilient Latinas doing impactful, often unrecognized work. It also preserves the traditions and kitchen magick passed down by our abuelas—essential wisdom deeply rooted in our lineage that is at risk of fading away.
Goals
Celebrate US Latinas by amplifying their untold stories and creating safe spaces where they can support each other—both practically and magically.
Preserve and document the magical traditions and sabiduría of our abuelas, ensuring their wisdom is passed down through generations.
Create opportunities for abuelas to share their invaluable knowledge and traditions by hiring them for their services, fostering intergenerational connections and economic empowerment.
Establish a physical Village Community Space in the Bronx (and beyond) designed for Latinas of all ages and walks of life, nurturing community, culture, and connection.
The Story: How it Started
I grew up in the Bronx and Yonkers in a community where you did not need English to function. I was constantly surrounded by abuelas from the diverse Latin immigration tapestry who, on a weekly basis, had coffee together. They shared remedies and stories of their homelands, practicing the art of tolerance and solidarity with each other. Basking in their unconditional love, sabiduria, laughter, and yes, magic, meant it was a good day.
In 2011, during the early years of my career, I began to notice that web searches involving the keyword “Latina” predominantly yielded pornographic results. Our stories were not being told online to replace this content, but I felt powerless to do anything beyond lamenting. As I continued my professional journey, I became increasingly more aware of the monumental systemic challenges my Latina sisters were facing, and the fact that we were losing access to the ancestral knowledge of our abuelas. For me, this access was shortened swiftly, when my family matriarchs died young, as a result of the hardships of their life.
Latinas Have the Highest Rates of Depression
My reflections were soon confirmed via hard data: Numerous psychological studies note that Latinas in the U.S. experience disproportionately higher rates of depression compared to many other demographic groups. In fact, 25%, or 1 in 4 Latina teenagers have thoughts of suicide. While the reasons for this are too numerous to recount here, they reflect the unique cultural, systemic, and socioeconomic factors we face that contribute to this disparity. Most importantly, few tools, resources and community spaces exist that truly support Latinas in ways that are authentic to our experience and culture, and that invoke the paradoxical wisdom of our abuelas - wisdom that is practical and grounded in reality, while also deeply humane and grounded in magical mysticism.
This project is meant to provide our type of medicine, by and for Latinas of all colors, backgrounds, and creeds.
What is a Latina?
You are Welcomed, No Matter What type Of Latina you Are
Our history and traditions as Latinas have always centered on mutual support and connection—whether sharing coffee to bochinche or gathering in the kitchen to cook up a feast. You are always welcome, no matter your lived experience or who you are. This is the essence of community: connecting with one another, one person at a time. If you want to get involved, reach out!
Language has not yet caught up with our evolving identities, and no perfect term exists. For the purposes of this project, "Latina" refers to women whose familial or cultural roots trace back to Latin America, regardless of race or ethnicity. It is an inclusive term, inviting anyone who identifies with it in any capacity. This includes all women—cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary individuals who identify with womanhood. LGBTQ+ allies are also warmly welcomed, as they have played a pivotal role in shaping the concept of “Latinidad.”
You’re welcome whether you speak fluent Spanish, Spanglish, or English. One of the many effects of immigration has been the loss of our diverse languages, but we will not let the impact of history and oppression divide us.
For now, as the project works toward greater financial stability, most content will be produced in English. However, the long-term goal is to be fully bilingual and thoughtfully inclusive of all perspectives.