Maria Dolores’ Leadership & Advocacy Story: “My expectations were met beyond imagination”
Maria Dolores has always gone after what she wants. When she puts her mind to something, consider it done. This is the mindset that many immigrants must adopt because often you only have yourself to depend on. When you arrive in the U.S. it can feel like your hands are tied behind your back as you struggle to navigate complex systems in a foreign language. That's when a helping hand can make all the difference. Maria Dolores has carried that feeling throughout her time in the U.S., unknowingly becoming that very helping hand for many others.
The Spanish phrase salir adelante never quite translates in the way it’s meant. When Maria Dolores describes the feeling of having to do whatever it is to get ahead, she doesn’t mean ahead of others. It’s not a phrase centered around egotism nor selfishness but rather a phrase to describe managing, getting by, and simply surviving. When we say salir adelante it’s rarely centered around one’s self-interest but rather the fight that is creating a chance for your family.
When Maria Dolores arrived in Oregon 25 years ago with her partner, daughter, three suitcases, and a blanket, she wished that chance would have arrived sooner. In Mexico, where she is originally from, she studied business. However, when you arrive in the U.S. not speaking the language or knowing how to navigate the system, you often find that you have no choice but to take what you can get when it comes to work. So, when she got a knock at her door offering her a job in housekeeping, it was an opportunity she had to embrace openly. She remembers cleaning wealthy homes on her hands and knees and an overwhelming feeling of “there has to be more in this country”.
“The programs I’ve been a part of have changed my life. I know these are life changing services.”
That pivotal point in her life led her to make a decision centered around family and her children. She wanted her young children to have her undivided attention so, she became a stay-at-home mother. Maria Dolores sold tamales on the side to help financially contribute to her household. However, like many in her position, there came a point where contributing a full-time income became necessary and she took a job as a fast-food worker. Once again, Maria Dolores was struck with the unwavering feeling that she could do more. After she and her partner purchased their first home, she found herself referring potential buyers she came across to her realtor. The natural business side of her was igniting again after many years.
Many laughed at the idea that she could have a real estate career when her primary language was Spanish. However, Maria Dolores isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. She interviewed for a loan officer position in Spanish, and with the help of supportive employers, she had a successful career in real estate. Another chance, another opportunity, another stride forward.
With three adult children, an empty nest, and her time to give, she found herself in a place of gratitude and a desire to do something for herself. Her daughter introduced her to the Washington County Civic Leaders training, and Maria Dolores describes this as a parting of the waters for her. Pondering on the place she was at during this time, Maria Dolores recalls wanting to serve others and serve her community. “I knew I could give more to my community, I just didn’t know where to start,” she explains. “That started with Civic Leaders. My expectations were met beyond imagination. I never thought I would come out of this with a job.”
Maria Dolores participated in multiple Leadership & Advocacy trainings at Adelante Mujeres before she was eventually approached by Cristina Delgado, Adelante’s Leadership & Immigrant Solidarity Project Manager, and was asked to join Adelante Mujeres. Another chance, another opportunity. But for Maria Dolores, this opportunity felt different. What Maria Dolores describes next can best be described as: an empowered life is a fulfilled life.
After spending decades of her life dedicated to her family, she found that working for Adelante Mujeres allowed her to feel even more valuable and fulfilled as a person. “The values I found were compassion, service, advocacy, and that was very appealing for me,” she describes.
Everything came full circle when she became a part of the Immigrant Solidarity Program, an Adelante Mujeres program that empowers Latinx community members to lead the immigrant rights movement locally. She realized, “I can do what Cristina and Petrona (Adelante Mujeres Advocacy & Leadership Program Staff) did for me.”
For Maria Dolores, it’s more important to do and give than to receive. It moves her to tears when she thinks of the immense impact she can have within her community because she understand the needs firsthand. She goes back to that feeling of needing a helping hand and her own experience of empowerment when opportunities came her way. “I would love for women to obtain what took me a long time, sooner. I want these things to arrive to people who need them. Sharing the knowledge, for me, is giving back to my community.”
The importance of resources, like the ones Adelante Mujeres provides, are invaluable to the Latine community. At times, it’s challenging to see the true impact that having access to resources has on families. However, for those who receive these resources, it’s something you don’t forget. Maria Dolores recalls an elementary teacher that was very involved and consistently supplied opportunities for parents to stay actively involved in their children’s education. What stands out for her is the way this teacher advocated for preserving culture and roots as Latine people. Simple gestures like saying someone’s name correctly as an indicator of respect for one’s culture and roots created trust and allowed Maria Dolores to feel comfortable being active in her children’s education.
“I would love for women to obtain what took me a long time, sooner. I want these things to arrive to people who need them. Sharing the knowledge, for me, is giving back to my community.”
Language barriers create a massive influx of need, even with available translators. Culturally responsive programs paired with language fluency are transformative and can transcend beyond what other programs may provide. Early Childhood programs that understand the needs of Latine families, specifically hours that parents work, the language they speak, and culture they belong to, allows families to not only have a place to take their children, but a place they know will understand their lives and honor that. That’s something that Maria Dolores values very much. Her three children are fluent in Spanish and English, something she is proud of. She remembers having to search for programs like Chicas that allowed her children to check-in and stay on the right path. “The programs I’ve been a part of have changed my life. I know these are life changing services,” she expresses.
Maria Dolores is a thoughtful woman who chooses her words carefully. So, when asked how she has changed internally since getting involved with Adelante Mujeres, she pauses. “Wow, that’s a grand question”. She doesn’t wait because she doesn’t know how to respond. She simply has much to say.
Gaining leadership skills at Adelante Mujeres has been life altering, she says. “With that leadership, with that dedication and passion, I see an infinite ability to serve but with a strength that will not let you fail,” says Maria Dolores as she describes the growth within herself, and the impact that passionate leaders can have on women. “That changes you.”
Listening to Maria Dolores brings to mind the image of a basket representing the concept of giving back. This idea of giving back is woven back and forth through out our conversation. It contains the desire to share knowledge, a passion to guide people through the resources that have changed her life, and a sense of gratitude that she gets to do this work every day. “I know the needs that are out there, I’ve lived it. I still am there in many ways”.
Allowing herself to receive and take the chances that were presented to her, Maria Dolores understands her journey to salir adelante is one that has led her to this moment. She shares, “If I could say something to supporters, it would be: the lives you impact is a payment for all that you have received yourself. Lives like mine have a meaning with greater value now. So, thank you because your investment is an investment in humanity, and that changes lives. With that you can sleep soundly.”
Maria Dolores describes her time with Adelante Mujeres as a fountain from which to drink. A place to continue making a difference and furthering her self-growth. A place where she can continue her journey to salir adelante. Anyone who has used that phrase understands that it is a journey, one without a designated destination. Maria Dolores hopes to continue giving back, weaving a basket filled with resources to help someone else on their journey.
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