Hispanic Heritage Month: Flora Estrada

Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15, honors the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. In Washington State, roughly 15% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. This translates to roughly 1 million individuals. Here at OFM, we are lucky to have some of the unique perspectives and talents that our Hispanic employees bring to our workplace and communities, and we're excited to highlight their voices to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We're celebrating the next spotlight in our series with an interview with Workforce Strategies Director, Flora Estrada.

About Flora: My name is Flora Estrada. I am a Mexican-American, Chicana, mestiza and veteran of the U.S. Army. I was born in California, but at just six months old, my mother took me and my sister back to Mexico to reunite with my father. That was the beginning of my journey as a Mexican American, navigating two cultures. At six months, I emigrated to Mexico, and at the age of fifteen, I emigrated from Mexico to the U.S. Often, I refer to myself as a "double immigrant".

In 2001, at the age of 15, everything, as I knew, changed. My younger brother was diagnosed with leukemia while my mom, my siblings, and I were visiting family in California. My brother's condition couldn't survive transferring him to Mexico, and all the doctors agreed that his chance of survival significantly increased by staying in California. ?My father was unable to get a visa to join us, and my family was separated by a border. As the only American-born child, I knew I was the best chance my dad had to join us in California eventually. I am happy to share that my brother beat cancer and whatever struggles my family faced were all worth it.

Adjusting to life in the U.S. wasn't easy. I didn't speak the language, struggled to fit into a new culture, and faced barriers as an immigrant student. I joined the military at 17, right after high school, to ensure my family had options and I was able to support them as needed. At the age of 21, I sponsored my father's residency, and once approved, my family was reunited.

After serving 12 years, including four combat deployments, I made the difficult decision to transition out of the military. As a mother of two, Arturo and Sofia, and recognizing how much I was missing while I was away once again, I put my family at the center of my decisions. Without a clear path for the future, I decided to transition out.

I went back to school and completed a bachelor's and master's in business administration at Saint Martin's University. Today, I work at the Office of Financial Management as a Workforce Strategies Director. I have been with OFM for over six years. My Hispanic heritage and my family's journey inspire me to advocate for underserved communities in my state government work. For my family, the American Dream wasn't about wealth or success—it was about survival and a second chance at life for my brother.

Although most of my family still lives in California, my husband of seven years, Christian, and the kids, Sofia and Arturo, have called Washington home since 2015. My children have spent most of their lives in the Lacey/Olympia area, making them true Washingtonians.?

What are some ways you enjoy connecting with and celebrating your Hispanic/Latine heritage?

This is an intriguing question. For me, celebrating my heritage doesn’t happen only during Hispanic Heritage Month; I celebrate it daily. I do have to admit that in more recent years, I have embraced my heritage in a different way.? Music, food, and family have always been at the center of who I am, but I used to mainly share it with those who were also part of the Hispanic/Latine community. Now, I take the beauty of my culture and sprinkle it across every space I am in.

I think it is part of the process of growing as an individual that belonging does not mean assimilation; instead, it is authentically existing. As a first-generation American, this has not been easy at times. It felt as if I was expected to give up my heritage to fit in. Being of a better socioeconomic status today has allowed me to take back and elevate pieces of my heritage that I would have otherwise been expected to give up to succeed. Unfortunately, I know that for many first-generation, giving up pieces of our identity is the only way to ensure our ability to care for our families. I am glad to see younger generations changing that and embracing both worlds without compromising their heritage. ?

Are there any pieces of media representing Hispanic/Latine heritage that resonate with you/are meaningful and important to you? If yes, what? If not, what kind of media representation would you like to see?

I feel that there is a gap in the proper representation of Hispanic/Latine heritage in the media. I would like the media to highlight Hispanic/Latine heritage equally and recognize that for those of us living in the U.S., our heritage and environment coexist. The media forgets that we are not monolithic, that traditions vary from country to country, generation to generation, and many of the other intercepting identities that represent who we are.

How has your Hispanic/Latine heritage influenced your values and how you identify, personally and/or professionally?

Family remains at the heart of my decision-making process. My parents, siblings, spouse and children are critical perspectives I take into account when faced with important decisions. They are my greatest sources of motivation. I’ve learned the importance of hard work and perseverance through the example of parents and other extended family members. While I always strive to give 100% at work and be the best version of myself, my family will always be at the core of how I make decisions personally and professionally.

Who is someone with Hispanic/Latine heritage that has inspired and positively impacted you? How/why?

This question is both interesting and difficult to answer. There are many well-known Hispanic figures who have shaped the world we live in today, from Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta advocating for farmworkers' rights to Sonia Sotomayor reaching the highest levels of the judiciary. Representation matters— when we see ourselves in various fields, it inspires our community to believe that we, too, belong.

When you ask who the most influential individuals are who have inspired and positively impacted me, my answer is personal. There are family members and friends. These individuals remind me that making an impact and inspiring others comes through how we choose to live each day. It's not our success or achievements that define us, but the strength of our character when faced with adversity.

While I admire figures like Eva Longoria for her advocacy for women's and girls' rights, those who have had the greatest impact on me are much closer to home. I've been fortunate to witness extraordinary individuals in my own life, including my parents. I believe that, for many in the Hispanic/Latine community, our heroes are often much nearer than those celebrated in the media. However, this can also be a result of the little presence that our community tends to have in the most publicized circles.

What are your hopes for future generations celebrating Hispanic/Latine heritage?

As a double immigrant ??, read my bio if I have confused you. I am inspired by the wave of unapologetically owning our identities as a Mexican American, Chicana, mestiza, who is also a disabled veteran.? I belong, and all my identities can co-exist.? I am excited to see younger generations unapologetically existing.? My mixed children are learning how to be vocal about their identities and deciding on their own what pieces they want to embrace. I hope they embrace the richness of our language, music, and food.? I hope they understand the beauty of being a family-centered culture. Either way, no one can take their heritage away from them.? I will continue to expose them to my culture without expecting that my way of honoring my heritage is the only way. More specifically, I hope that as Mexican Americans understand that they are Mexican enough and American enough to quote singer Becky G, they are 200 percenters.

For the larger Hispanic/Latine communities, I hope future generations create the space to honor those figures who have paved a path for all of us while creating their own.? We are not a monolithic group, and we have so much to learn about each other and from each other. I hope you make space for the beauty of our cultures to exist through time.