My 2022 Chingona List

Chingona is a term we used when I was younger to refer to the car show girls that had these fly styles, outfits, and were cruising around in a beautifully restored or customized low rider. In Oakland, CA and across California these women were badass to me. Their images emulated powerful beauty and I never imagined considering myself a Chingona some day. I just never thought of myself as someone who was a badass or could ever be so cool and powerful.

Jump forward to more recent times and the meaning of Chingona can take on so many things! A Boss, a “never takes-s***” leader, a force to be reckoned with, a whole presence when she walks in the room, and the list goes on. I was fortunate to join Yanira Guzman’s workshop, How to Create a Chingona List, which empowered so many Latinas to reflect on 2022 and feel proud of being a Chingona for all our accomplishments and development. I heard so many women share inspiring proud moments from all kinds of professions. For a short time I found myself in a virtual room full of Chingonas making the world a better place in all these powerful ways across our corners of the world. It’s true, I walked away feeling powerful, badass, and so proud of myself for all that 2022 brought.

So how was I Chingona this year?

1. Leveled up my career and created a new opportunity for my professional trajectory to officially be in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inlcusion.
2. Negotiated my new salary. (For the first time in my life. Ah!) Honestly, this was a BIG one for me to fully embody a Chingona spirit.
3. Said NO to more things that did not serve my ruthless pursuits. Said YES, unapologetically to the things that meant I was closer aligned with my purpose. <Thick Face, Black Heart>

All of these moments were made possible with the community of other powerful leaders that have guided me, challenged me, and sponsored me. Thank you to you all for giving me grace and space to be a Chingona professionally.

If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to take a look through the lenses of pride when looking back on the last 12 months and ask yourself, “What am I most proud of? How was I a Chingona this year?”