Maria Socorro Pesqueira

Maria Socorro Pesqueira is the quintessential community leader. As the CEO and president of Latinas En Acción, a nonprofit social services organization located in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Pesqueira has made the betterment of the city’s Hispanic community her life’s work.

Since 1973, Mujeres Latinas en Acción has been a safe haven for women. Serving more than 7,000 families, the organization offers aid for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and provides parental support programs and childcare services. Under Pesqueira’s leadership, the group received the prestigious ORBA Award for Nonprofit Financial Management Excellence.

One of their more innovative programs is Latina Leadership, a leadership development curriculum for adult Spanish speaking women that focuses on an individual’s potential and projects to improve conditions for the community. Participants also support the women of the year event and annual retreat.

Pesqueira, a proud wife and mother, has focused her career on improving the lives of others, while strengthening the family’s foundation.

“The universal topic that keeps popping up is family,” Pesqueira says. “We’re all someone’s mother, daughter, father or son.”

As she always has, Pesqueira uses her passion for rights to encourage other Latinas to help improve the lives of Hispanics nationwide. “Every Latina can play a part,” she says. “We all must come together to build an awareness and make our voices heard.”