“Latinas Unidas is a student‑led club here on campus. It’s meant to empower, support and uplift Latina students.”

– Latinas Unidas President Brehana P. Galindo-Gaytan

By Sonia Diaz

Latinas Unidas, originally known as Latina Sisters, is a club made up primarily (though not exclusively) of Latina women from many countries who come together to promote sisterhood and bring cultural awareness to the OCCC campus.

The club was co-founded in August 2023 by Erendina Valencia, a business major graduate, and Sandra De Loera, now a registered nurse. Although the club has expanded and evolved over time, its mission remains the same under the current leadership of President Brehana P. Galindo-Gaytan.

“Our mission is to sponsor a strong sense of community and encourage academic success and mental health,” Galindo-Gaytan said.

This student-oriented club is open to everyone, providing a safe environment to connect and find a place to belong. Nevertheless, its primary focus is serving Latina women, who make up most of the club’s members.

“It’s mainly girls from Mexico, such as myself,” Galindo-Gaytan said. “But we do have variety, such as Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela.”

Many of the Latina members are also first-generation students, including the current president herself.

“We also share experiences, whether they’re personal or educational,” Galindo-Gaytan said. “And we celebrate our cultures.”

For its members, Latinas Unidas is more than just a club – it’s a family.

“Latinas Unidas is really that place where you can ask those silly questions,” Galindo-Gaytan said, “whether it’s ‘My day was so rough, I just need someone to talk to,’ or ‘Can you go to Walmart with me?’ or ‘Can you take me to my doctor’s appointment?’ It’s not always professional. It’s like your home on campus.

“Sometimes we just need that little corner to connect with others,” she added. “Sometimes you don’t ask for help because you’re too embarrassed.”

In addition to offering a welcoming space at OCCC, the club provides scholarship opportunities, emotional support and assistance with job applications and resumes, as well as volunteering opportunities on and off campus. Students interested in joining Latinas Unidas can learn more during welcome week events or through the official OCCC clubs page.

For Galindo-Gaytan, the first encounter with Latinas Unidas came during welcome week, where she met former Co-President Erendina Valencia.

“The first thing I noticed was the pink table,” she recalled. “I was really drawn to it since pink is my favorite color. That’s how I got to know a little bit about the club.”

The bold pink color made a great impression on her, but it was the club’s purpose that ultimately drew her in.

“I saw myself within that mission,” Galindo-Gaytan said. “And I realized, ‘Oh, maybe this is part of who I am and who I can become.’”

As president, Galindo-Gaytan is responsible for uplifting students and being there when they need her, despite her busy schedule as a nursing major.

“Sometimes it’s hard juggling student life, club life and my personal life,” she admitted. “(But) if a club member comes to me directly, I’ll put everything aside and focus on them for a little bit.”

Her responsibilities also include leading meetings, planning events, collaborating with other clubs and advocating for Latinas Unidas members and the Latino community as a whole.

While Galindo-Gaytan maintains an open-door policy for members, she says the support goes both ways.

“Personally, they’re my sisters,” she said. “Yes, I’m there for them, but they’re also there for me.”

Beyond providing emotional support, members also work together to secure funding for the club.

“Most of our funding comes from fundraising and the hard work of our members,” Galindo-Gaytan said, although “some of it comes from donations.”

Latinas Unidas hosts cultural events on campus, including Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. Members also participate in off-campus events such as Fiestas de las Américas, or the Parade of the Americas, held in downtown Oklahoma City during Hispanic Heritage Month. They frequently collaborate with other organizations, including the Student Government Association, as they did for a Valentine’s Day fundraiser this February. Funds raised from these events help support future programming and pay for members’ graduation stoles.

Even students whose schedules do not allow them to fully join the club can still participate in events or show support by following their Instagram page, @occclatinasunidas.

Looking ahead, Galindo-Gaytan hopes the club continues to grow and uplift students for years to come.

“I hope this club continues for years and years, even after I graduate and have my own career,” she said. “I hope to come back and donate to the club. Like, yes, I was part of it, but now you are the future of it.”

Even now, Latinas Unidas makes a significant impact at OCCC – not only by celebrating Latino culture and uplifting Latina women, but also by prioritizing students and helping them succeed, grow and find a little corner of home.