Latina Quotes & Sayings

Being Latina for me is also being a strong woman. — Natalie Martinez

Aside from being a Latina, my family immigrated from Puerto Rico and Yugoslavia so I know all about that. I wouldn't be able to do what I do today if they didn't come to America. Everybody has an immigration story. — Naya Rivera

When people see a Spanish last name, they have an image in their head of what the typical Latina looks like. I think it's important on television to have different representations of people. And I'm so proud of being Latina. I love it. — Kether Donohue

Imagine a judicial nominee said 'my experience as a white man makes me better than a Latina woman.' Wouldn't they have to withdraw? New racism is no better than old racism. — Newt Gingrich

As a young writer, I was on guard against the Latina in me, the Spanish in me because as far as I could see the models that were presented to me did not include my world. In fact, 'I was told by one teacher in college that one could only write poetry in the language in which one first said Mother. That left me out of American literature, for sure. — Julia Alvarez

Sometimes, growing up, I tried to be very Latina; I would change my voice ... experiment with my hair a lot, trying to figure out who I was in a primarily white school. — Monica Raymund

They sounded a lot like me and my old girlfriend Loretta, but I swore to myself that I would stop thinking about her ass, even though every Cleopatra-looking Latina in the city made me stop and wish she would come back to me. — Junot Diaz

When I think of my Latina side, I imagine family barbecues with carne asada, rice, beans, tortillas and a jalapeno on my plate along with 'Vicente Fernandez' blaring out the speakers. Spicy food. Salsa. Tamales. Family. — Alicia Sixtos

White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw. — Newt Gingrich

I am a woman, and I am a Latina. Those are the things that make my writing distinctive. Those are the things that give my writing power. — Sandra Cisneros

I have always been taught to be proud of being Latina, proud of being Mexican, and I was. I was probably more proud of being a "label" than of being a human being, that's the way most of us were taught. — Erin Gruwell

I definitely have some stereotypical qualities of being a Latina. I talk with my hands, which means I knock stuff over all the time. — Bitsie Tulloch

The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever. — Sonia Sotomayor

I will never stop working on Spanish-language projects because that's my language, and because I'm a Latina and Mexican before anything else. — Kate Del Castillo

I also have a film coming up called Breaking Up, and my part in that was not written for a Latina, and my character is not particularly pretty or sexy or exotic. — Salma Hayek

My hope is that I will take the good from my experiences and extrapolate them further into areas with which I am unfamiliar. I simply do not know exactly what that difference will be in my judging. But I accept there will be some based on my gender and my Latina heritage. — Sonia Sotomayor

Barbara appraised her with critical eyes. 'Oh my. Well, this is going to need some work.' She went right to Carmen's hips and pulled the unfinished seams open. 'Yes, we'll have to take this way out. I'm not sure I have enough fabric. I'll check when I get back to my office.'
You are a horrible witch, Carmen thought.
She knew she looked absolutely awful in the dress. She was part Bourbon Street whore and part Latina first-communion spectacle. — Ann Brashares

I wrote a pilot for myself. It's about a Latina actress trying to make it in Hollywood. It's pretty funny. — Melonie Diaz

Usually, I'll be auditioning for the third lead, and there will be Latina actresses, Indian actresses, African American actresses because it will be like, 'Let's check off this box. We have our lead white girl, and we need an ethnic slot.' — Constance Wu

Yes, I'm blonde. When I started as an actor, because of the accent and my body and my personality, it was not what the stereotype of the Latina woman in Hollywood is, so they didn't know where to put me. The blond hair wasn't matching. The moment I put my hair dark, it was better for my work. — Sofia Vergara

People think of Latina women as being fiery and fierce, which is usually true. But I think the quality that so many Latinas possess is strength. I'm very proud to have Latin blood. — Zoe Saldana

Sarah Palin is Latina. Pay-leen. She has an infant and a grandkid the same age. Latina! — George Lopez

I love going to the hair salon. I'm Spanish. I think it's more of a Latina thing to go to the hair salon. — Paz De La Huerta

Sonia Sotomayor is uniquely and exquisitely sensitive to race issues because she is a Latina. — Dahlia Lithwick

El duende is literally the goblin wind or force behind a person's actions and creative life, including the way they walk, the sound of their voice, even the way they lift their little finger. It is a term used in flamenco dance, and is also used to describe the ability to "think" in poetic images. Among Latina curanderas who recollect story, it is understood as the ability to be filled with spirit that is more than one's own spirit. Whether one is the artist or whether one is the watcher, listener, or reader, when el duende is present, one sees it, hears it, reads it, feels it underneath the dance, the music, the words, the art; one knows it is there. When el duende is not present, one knows that too. — Clarissa Pinkola Estes

We made history when President Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor, a proud Latina, the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. And as the President likes to say, 'Every single one of them wasn't just the best Latino for the job, but the best person for the job.' — Charlie Gonzalez

It's so exciting to headline a film. It's not every day you see a Latina carrying a full-length feature. — Aimee Garcia

My father is Cuban. Spanish was my first language, but I don't speak it that much anymore because I had dyslexia, and in school they work with you only in English. But I'm proud to be Latina, and most people don't know I am. — Bella Thorne

I've always loved to sing in Spanish. To me, it's just my culture. It's what I am; I'm Latina. — Paula DeAnda

'Latina' has become part of the Becky G family, and I feel very proud to say that. — Becky G

I want to steer away from the stereotypes that Latina women are categorized in. I feel like there are so many more opportunities for us. I like going out for those roles that says 'open ethnicity.' — Emily Rios

Being Latina means I have culture I guess. We party together, cry together, and cook together. Or at least my family does as much as we can. We know where we're from and we have a certain kind of rhythm and understanding. Togetherness. As I get older it becomes more apparent that there is a community in this industry that is working together to rise up and fight against the misinterpretation of Hispanic and what it means to be a Latino-American nowadays. — Alicia Sixtos

I do find that it's easier to get Latino-themed movies ... but I don't think there's that stigma anymore. I think that what's harder is to be a woman, not to be a Latina. — Patricia Riggen

I tried to conform to what everyone thinks is beautiful. But my genetics gave me a curvy figure, and I've come to understand that in the Latina culture, that is beautiful. — Demi Lovato

It might sound dramatic and a little grandiose, but as a Latina, I would like to be someone that gives a voice to my culture. — Cristela Alonzo

I guess it all depends on whom you ask and when you ask. Race, I've learned, is in the eye of the beholder. — Raquel Cepeda

What's similar between 'Daily Show' and 'RJ Berger' is that people are grabbing me - not quite the groovy intelligentsia Starbucks barista, but the Latina nurses at my gynecologist's office - and telling me they love the show. — Beth Littleford

The silver flask called to him.
Blue Coyote Motel — Dianne Harman

As I got older, the role that I ended up (playing) on One Life to Live was a mother because, by then, I had a stable marriage - so I thought - and a beautiful son and mother roles became what I was doing well. I was still the Latina mom who very much related to people who love family. All those traditional values (were) coming back into my life. — Patricia Mauceri

The only difference between the Bel Air of the '90s and the Bel Air of my childhood is that now the nannies are Latina instead of British, and the cars European instead of American. — Lorna Luft

Latinos are here to stay. As citizen Raquel, I'm proud to be Latina. — Raquel Welch

The Book of Latina Women celebrates stories of the spirit and the resiliency of Latinas whose contributions have shaped history. Though the term Latina is relatively new, the spirit that goes with it carries an important legacy. For centuries, Latina women have inspired us beyond words. Their actions have sparked great change, and their spirit has made its mark on our contemporary world. — Sylvia Mendoza

Only a bitch of color comes to Harvard to get pregnant. White women don't do that. Asian women don't do that. Only fucking black and Latina women. Why go to all the trouble to get into Harvard just to get knocked up? You could have stayed on the block and done that shit. — Junot Diaz

I'm black. I'm Latina. My mom is Cuban. Afro-Cuban. My dad is white and Australian. — Soledad O'Brien

Sotomayor's vainglorious lecture bromide about herself as 'a wise Latina' trumping white men is a vulgar embarrassment - a vestige of the bad old days of male-bashing feminism. — Camille Paglia

I was raised in Chicago, so always used Latina. It's what my Father and brothers called ourselves, when we meant the entire Spanish-speaking community of Chicago. — Sandra Cisneros

Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White is remarkable for its truth-telling about two important issues concerning Alabama's past and present: the civil rights movement and immigration. These stories, rendered through the words and eyes of a young Latina girl who came from Argentina to Marion, Alabama, are made vivid and immediate through Weaver's highly accessible drawings and dialogue. This is a book-about maturation, family, education, and social change-every schoolchild, parent, and citizen should experience. — Sena Jeter Naslund

I think all Latino actors want to be storytellers first. I want to be an actor first, and then I want to be Latina. — Gina Rodriguez

Being Latino means being from everywhere, and that is exactly what America is supposed to be about. — Raquel Cepeda

That one time I had ma Latina texture going on.. Or just.. everyday. — Selena

Townsend's wife Rita, a striking, razor-sharp Latina lawyer, who seemed to be the brains in the household, lost her cool in front of the cameras at a rally in Charleston and called C2C a concha de tu madre before she could be hustled off the stage. Her press officer translated the phrase as "the seashell your mother likes," but the several million South Americans in the U.S. knew it to have a slightly different connotation. — Doug Magee

I'm a wise Latina woman. Whatever, man. Thank God I'm not in politics, because the fact that you have to explain everything - I'd kill myself. I can't take all those little things they dissect. I'm like, 'Oh my God, get a life.' I don't have time for this. — Justina Machado

I love Shakira - she is such a beautiful person. She does so many good things for the world on top of making good music. And she is an awesome mom. When you are Latina, it is all about family, and to see that she prioritizes family and her career at the same time is really nice. — Becky G

The Latina spirit translates to every aspect of our lives, from beauty to work to family. We're loving, we're loud, and we're beautiful in our essence. — Eva Longoria

I don't know if it's because I'm Latina or something, but I have no problem speaking my mind. — Becky G

I had dreams, but always told myself, 'Nah, that would never happen.' For a poor Latina, (acting) wasn't a reality. — Diane Guerrero

Fools laugh at the Latin language. -Rident stolidi verba Latina — Ovid

Evidence tells that black and Latina woman are more accepting of curves, and that's a good thing. — Lori Lansens

No Latina woman would be called 'Ms.' - that's an invention of middle-class Anglo women. Latina women are proud to be called 'Mrs.' That simply means that we have a family. — Clarissa Pinkola Estes

To be seen and to be respected for my work and acknowledged as a true American Latina ... means a lot to me. — Zoe Saldana

I usually say Latina, Mexican-American or American Mexican, and in certain contexts, Chicana, depending on whether my audience understands the term or not. — Sandra Cisneros

I'm all about the crossover. The role doesn't necessarily have to be white or Latina or black. It could be anything. But it's hard in Hollywood, because sometimes it's all about the box office. Or all about looks and things like that. It's not about the story that they have to tell. — Rutina Wesley

I don't understand labels. I don't need anybody to tell me I'm Latina or black or anything else. I've played characters that were written for Caucasian females, I just want to be given the same consideration as everybody else, and so far that has been happening. — Zoe Saldana

Audiences want great story telling; it's why white people watch my show 'Black in America.' It's why black people watch 'Latina in America.' All of that is statistically shown and proven but it was because it was good story telling about people who were outsiders. — Soledad O'Brien

I realized how Latina I was, and then also, at the same time, how not Latina enough I was, because I'm born and raised in Los Angeles. I speak Spanish, but I don't speak perfect Spanish, not like a native speaker. — America Ferrera

You get typecast. You have to find a niche in this business. So, the roles that I got cast in were the Latina or the Italian spitfires. The woman with a passion and the woman who didn't want to listen to anyone, did everything her own way, very self-willed. — Patricia Mauceri

I think the Miss Universe title not only gives me the opportunity to become a role model for Latina girls around the world, but to show that beauty isn't just about the outside. — Gabriela Isler

I don't think I have rebelled against Latina culture. I have rebelled against those who try to make me warm tortillas for my brothers when they can warm them for themselves, I have rebelled against a patriarchal religion. I rebel against small mindedness in all ways and in every situation but those things are not an intrinsic part of Latina culture and I will fight tooth and nail against anyone who tries to make me feel like I'm less Xicana for not embracing the small-mindedness. — Alice Bag

Halloween is the only day I can dress up like a hot Latina woman with a beer belly. — Felipe Esparza

Being Latina to me is living your life like it's a big old fiesta! — Adrienne Bailon

'Wonder Woman' was on TV when I was growing up, and I knew Lynda Carter was part Latina. It gave me a great sense of pride. — Constance Marie

I'm Latina. I was born with high heels. We crossed border in high heels. We were running from immigration ... I can do aerobics in heels. — Eva Longoria

I knew my mother was - well, her ancestry dated back to John Quincy Adams, so she was totally not Latina. She was definitely whatever you call it - white bread, shall we say? — Raquel Welch

It is difficult to get Latina and Asian women to speak out. We must make it clear it's not their problem, it's our problem. We need magazines like this one to keep talking about the issue. And know that we women in Congress are with you 100 percent. — Juanita Millender-McDonald

I've been blessed because every single role I've done has been an educated person. I've never done the stereotypical Latina, even though I have an accent - I've always been able to play educated people. That's a good thing! — Roselyn Sanchez

Many artists in Mexico fight to be the Latina Madonna. I don't want that! Never! Maybe she's the American Gloria Trevi! — Gloria Trevi

This is the difference between U.S. Latina/o letters and Latina/o Letters from Latin America: In the United States, writing is a business. In Latin America, writing is life and death. — Daniel Pena

I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life. — Sonia Sotomayor

When I first came out to L.A., Hollywood's idea of a Latina was Mexican. It was almost like they had never seen or heard of an Afro-Latina before. — Lauren Velez

In the Latina/o culture, blessing is a big deal. Growing up, I was brought up to see the blessings that surrounded me and my family. As a child, after I'd said my prayers, my mom would send me to bed with a blessing for a good night's rest. Whenever I would leave my abuelita's (grandmother's) house, she would tell me, "Dios te bendiga, mijito" ("God bless you, my little one"). In my family and in many Latina/o households, the women are the vessels of God's blessing, and thus bestowers and distributors of this blessing to their families. To this day, even though I am grown and have two children of my own, whenever I travel somewhere distant or am undertaking a major project, my mother will sit me down, lay hands on me, and say a prayer of blessing. — Francisco J. Garcia Jr.

Because of their low earnings and family obligations, Latinas would not be putting much money into private investment accounts. An average Latina could wind up losing thousands of dollars under this proposal. — Grace Napolitano

I am so proud of my heritage and of being Latina. I would most definitely consider roles in Latin America. — Chrissie Fit

The women I love most are Latina - my sister, mother, and daughter. They're spontaneous but spend a majority of their time trying to make others happy. — William Levy

Being Latina, I'm super close with my family. I love them, and I love spending time with them. I love being at my grandma's house and eating her food. — Emeraude Toubia

Think of how hard it would be to create a gender-based movement across racial lines as long as one group believes that it has to be strong while seeing the other group as passive and weak. We could also go into the stereotypes of the saucy, mercurial Latina and the docile, easily-dominated Asian woman. — Melissa Harris-Perry

If a Latina falls in love with someone who is insecure, it can be a nightmare. — Sofia Vergara

I was thrilled to play a role on 'Dora the Explorer,' a show that has touched the lives of many children around the world, including my own child. Dora is such an iconic and important Latina heroine, and I'm proud to now be a part of the show's ever-growing legacy. — Thalia

There are plenty of Latina actresses that no one's ever heard of ... Some are really brown, some are light-skinned, and some look like they're Caucasian, but it's like we only want to identify with a certain kind of look and celebrate that under the guise that this is a 'Latina actress.' — Sara Ramirez

I'm bicultural, and everyone sees me as a Latina, but in my head I see myself as both Latina and American. — Genesis Rodriguez