MANA, A National Latina Organization, was founded in 1974 as the Mexican-American Women's National Association. MANA's original intent was to provide a voice for Mexican-American women at the national, state and local levels. Since then, the organization has expanded into a diverse group of Latinas in all areas of political, social and professional fields. MANA is unique since this makes MANA the single largest pan-Latina organization in the United States.

Latinas are leading a significant and powerful trend in America today! Latinas are the fastest growing business segment. Latinas are entering the workforce in record numbers and making a statement while running for political office and being appointed to boards and commissions. Latinas represent 62% of the $720 billion purchasing power of U.S. Hispanics.

Values

• the empowerment of Latinas
• positive risk taking
• community activism
• sharing of culture and heritage
• defining our own agenda
• creative and critical thinking
• equality and fairness
• honoring and valuing the contributions of Latinas

Our Mission

•  MANA empowers Latinas through leadership development, community service and advocacy.
• MANA is a national community of Latinas actively working to create a better quality of life for Hispanics.

The Early Years 

Excerpt from the book: "MANA, one dream, many voices: A history of the Mexican American Women's National Association" by Elvira Valenzuela Crocker.

Mexican-American women played important roles in the settlement and development of the United States. They were women who lived traditional and nontraditional lives. They were individuals whose reputations were built as pioneers or who were deeply involved in the criminal justice, labor and education achievements and battles of their times. They were forceful women with vision and commitment.

They were women like María Juana Briones y Tapia de Miranda, a San Francisco pioneer and rancher who built her reputation as a shrewd businesswoman and humanitarian during the 1800s. They included women like the pony-riding mail carrier Doña Candelaria Mestes in northern New Mexico and a faith healer like Teresa Urrea, who traveled throughout the United States and Europe and eventually built a hospital with donations from her work in Clifton, Arizona.

Book available from MANA National and Amazon.com