Our Story

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation threatened our natural human connectedness, Liliana Atanacio Garcia led a call to all Latina women living in the Berkshires. She envisioned creating a virtual networking space—a meeting point where Latinas could come together to honor and share their immigrant stories. This initiative, born out of a moment of need, quickly grew into a supportive sorority that fostered a deep sense of community. Nearly 200 Latinas shared their journeys, successes, interests, and goals, strengthening their bonds in the process.

Our first action as Latinas 413 was to support Latino families struggling due to the pandemic. In 2021, we raised and distributed $6,100 to those in need. By June 2021, Latinas 413 had evolved into a fiscally sponsored nonprofit project through the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. By 2022, our mission had expanded to empower Latina women in all their roles—heads of households, businesswomen, entrepreneurs, and professionals—by providing them with valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Today, Latinas 413 offers a wide range of programs throughout the year, including webinars, workshops, the "Rest & Read" book club (círculo de lectura), hikes, camping trips, arts initiatives, and cultural celebrations of our heritage. We also established the first bilingual mentorship program in the Berkshires, setting new standards of leadership, unity, and professionalism. To date, our mentorship program has awarded nearly $20,000 in financial support and scholarships.

The "Yo Soy Arte" (I Am Art) project and band have been instrumental in advocating for and establishing leadership among local Latino artists in Berkshire County. Representation of the Latino community, to us, means embracing 21 countries, each with its own ethnicity, language, and culture. We advocate for language inclusion and cultural humility, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.

In 2023, Latinas 413 collaborated with the Berkshire Athenaeum Library in Pittsfield to create a new collection of 150 Spanish-language books, further strengthening our commitment to promoting cultural understanding. Through these efforts, we continue to thrive in unity, foster belonging, and lead with dignity.

Latinas 413 received its official 501(c)(3) incorporation in April of this year, marking a significant milestone in our growth and impact.

Founders & Former Members: America Lopez, Catheryn Chacon, Tannya Romero, Laura Cabrera, Carmen Villalobos, Liliana Atanacio, Marina Dominguez, & Alejandra del Sol.