Professor to speak on Latina struggles at Moses Lake Library

MOSES LAKE — The Humanities Washington Speaker Series will come in person to Moses Lake in October, according to an announcement from North Central Washington Libraries.

Pacific Lutheran University professor Maria Chávez will bring her program “The Firsts: Latina Struggles in the United States” to the Moses Lake Public Library at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18, according to the announcement.

Many Latinas face extraordinary challenges in their professions and personal lives, NCW Libraries wrote in the announcement. They are often first-generation college students whose parents may have little experience with higher education. This results in a difficult balancing act: They are trying not to let the process of earning a college education change them in ways that are antithetical to traditional Latino values, yet they are often expected to help with family care and responsibilities that can take priority over their studies and careers.

In a talk that draws from interviews of Latinas from across a wide range of professions, as well as from her own personal experiences, Chávez will offer an exploration of the complicated challenges Latina professionals face. Chávez also offers ideas for how to provide Latinas with support and solutions. Chávez is a professor of political science at Pacific Lutheran University specializing in American government, public policy and Latino politics, according to the announcement. As a first-generation college graduate herself, her work centers on the progress of and barriers to Latinos in the U.S. She was awarded the American Political Science Association’s Best Book in Latino Politics twice: first for Everyday Injustice, and most recently for Latino Professionals in America.

NCW Libraries will also offer the presentation Oct. 16 at Wenatchee Valley College and Oct. 17 at the Leavenworth Public Library, the announcement said. Both presentations are at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit www.ncwlibraries.org.