Presently, many students are finding it difficult to continue their studies because of constant cuts to education and increases in tuition, essentially making a college degree a luxury.

Although there has been an increase in the enrollment of Latino students and those who have transferred to receive a degree at CSU East Bay, they are still surpassed by African-Americans and Asians, according to recent Pew Research Data.

Data also suggests Latinas are still below the average enrollment for graduation and remain a marginalized group in terms of education.

Groups like the Chicana/Latina Foundation say Latino women around the Bay Area can expect more to continue their higher education.

This year the foundation is celebrating 35 years since three friends began to make their dream a reality, to help the Latino community develop into professionals who will one day contribute to their communities significantly.

“If you have the privilege of going to school, you should use programs like ours to benefit our Latino community,” said Claudia Leon, one of the coordinators of the foundation.

In 1977, the founders–who all met at UC Berkeley–realized there were not many Latinos and Latinas studying at universities in the country. This realization spurred on the creation of a foundation where the main objective would be to help Latinas achieve their dream of going to college, all the while promoting higher education.

“Chicana Latina Foundation is an organization made by Latinas for Latinas, made by the community for the community,” said Leon.

Chicana Latina Foundation has developed several programs, such as scholarships, a leadership institute, the Young Forward and Between Sisters Program, among others, designed to create professional opportunities.

The foundation survives on events that raises funds and donations from individuals or companies.

One of the most successful events is the “tacones y rebozos,” or heels and shawls, which charged admission to raise funds for scholarships for Latina women who desire to continue their education.

This event is full of energy, music, dancing, food and a mariachi women’s group, as the event is organized so that “all have a responsibility to help our community,” said Leon.

Girls who are scholarship recipients not only receive money but also get something more important, namely the support of this organization for them to become professional women.

Linda Sanchez received the scholarship in 2011 and said has learned so much from the organization.

“I learned how to be a better leader in my community. The organization help you to find yourself and find the tools to help others,” said Sanchez.

These workshops are solely for Latinas who received awards in that year, but the foundation also invites them to become volunteers of the same, and so this becomes an example to strengthen the Latino community.

The foundation is already receiving applications for the next scholarship, for which the deadline is Mar. 16.

“It’s so hard to find an organization of Latinas for Latinas, but good to know we are not alone and that we have the support of ordinary girls like me; this is like a family,” expressed Sanchez.

“It is important to an organization so it is focused on a group that is still somewhat marginalized,” said Sanchez.

Professor of Ethnic Studies at CSUEB Luz Calvo agrees with it and said that programs like this “help empower Latino and this helps to make changes in society.”

“If we have more Latino receiving university degrees, it will have a bigger impact in the community,” said Sanchez.