Turns out, 27% of Latina women live below the poverty line, and more than one in five Latinas drop out of high school. As a result, only 15% of adult Latinas hold college degrees, and they are only 2% of the computing workforce. If you’re familiar with the educational pipeline, these numbers make total sense; lack of opportunities means a lack of high-quality education, which inevitably leads to a glass ceiling.<\/p>\n
But ever since award-winning actor, producer, director, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Desperate Housewives<\/em> alumna Eva Longoria founded the Eva Longoria Foundation<\/a> back in 2012, they have helped more than 2,100 young Latinas learn coding, robotics, and engineering and explore the possibilities of a career in STEM.<\/p>\n Through the development of Girls in Action Alliance<\/a>, a collaboration with Global Gift Foundation USA<\/a>, their united goal is to equip girls with the right skills and tools to give them access to 21st-century jobs.<\/p>\n So why is this so important?<\/p>\n 80% of Latina teens in the U.S. aspire to go to college<\/strong> Latinas start businesses six times the national rate<\/strong> The number of Latina-owned firms in the U.S. has risen by 137%<\/strong>
\nThat’s right…80%<\/em>. While the majority of Latina teens aspire<\/em> to go to college, not all of them make it to college due to lack of educational opportunities and economic challenges.<\/p>\n
\nMore businesses, more job opportunities, right? This number just goes to show the untapped potential this group has and why ELF’s mission is so important.<\/p>\n
\nOne of ELF’s main goals is to support Latinas in their entrepreneurial journey. Through the Eva Longoria Foundation MicroLoan Fund, they provide loans and business training to Latina small business owners.<\/p>\n