Brooklyn-born veteran and LLI Grad Luz Rosario shattered limiting expectations. Traditional career guidance, she recalls, offered a future confined by stereotypes for young women of color. “The people that looked like me,” Luz says, “weren’t talking about becoming doctors or engineers. It was about getting a secretarial job.” Undeterred, she forged a path in the Air Force, rising to Senior NCO (E-7).
Thriving Together: Supporting Women Veterans
Despite facing a lack of mentors who shared her background, her passion for supporting others, especially women, remains strong. “It’s all about the women connection,” she emphasizes. “The younger girls need to hear it loud and clear: college is an option, and their careers can define them, not their backgrounds. They shouldn’t feel stuck.”
Building on this mission, Luz recognizes the specific challenges women face in the military. “We constantly battle stereotypes that we’re not strong enough,” she says. “That’s simply untrue.” While acknowledging opportunities exist, she recognizes a lack of consistent support. “It often feels like you have to find your own way,” she says. This is why Luz believes in fostering a sense of community and trust. “Women need a safe space to speak up without fear,” she emphasizes. “It’s about creating a network where they feel comfortable coming forward and speaking their truth.”
A Springboard Forward
A lifelong learner, Luz sought a network of Latinos for mentorship and collaboration. “I was searching for ‘my people,'” she explains. “This was something I never had, even in the military. My mentors were great, but there was always a gap. I felt something was missing.” Motivated by this desire, Luz sought out Ignite, LLI’s leadership development program.
Ignite became a springboard for action for Luz. “It was the first step in starting the conversation about what Latinos need in leadership,” she declares. “There’s so much more to learn, but Ignite also sparked a critical question: what can I do with this knowledge?” Determined to share her awareness and build a support system, Luz ponders, “How can I connect with others facing similar challenges? We need to come together, Latinos and peers alike, and leverage our resources. By collaborating, we can ensure the next generation has the opportunities they deserve. We can’t let them miss out. We need to set them up for success.”
About the Latino Leadership Institute
Born from a vision of influential Latino leadership, LLI celebrates a decade of advancing nearly 800 leaders across industries, generations, and geographies. The past decade of impact fuels our unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive and representative U.S. leadership landscape. Our 10-year anniversary marks a springboard for the next decade, fueled by your investment. Together, we’ll build an even bigger vision for representative and inclusive leadership – join us. Learn More
