About HOPE's Advocacy
Driving Growth and Opportunity for Latinas
HOPE® is dedicated to empowering Latinas as civic leaders, advocating for equitable policies, and highlighting their contributions to California’s economy and society. Latinas are a growing force for change, representing 20% of California’s population (7.78 million) and 40% of all women in the state, yet we continue to face systemic barriers in leadership, education, economic opportunity, and healthcare access.
HOPE’s Policy Agenda outlines strategic actions across our four priority areas—Civic Engagement and Representation, Economic Parity, Educational Access, and Healthcare Access—anchored by data-driven insights to address disparities and create lasting opportunities for Latinas everywhere.
Civic Engagement and Equitable Representation
Latinas are a rapidly growing demographic, making up 20% of California’s population and 40% of all women, yet our voices remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making spaces. Our growing purchasing power shapes market dynamics and plays a crucial role in sustaining and diversifying the business sector. Despite this, Latinas held only 3.3% of corporate board seats in California in 2023 and comprised 9% of gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions. Addressing these gaps is critical to building pathways for Latinas to shape the political, social, and economic future of California.
Economic Empowerment
Economic equity is essential for Latinas to realize their full potential, yet systemic barriers persist. Latinas earned only 42 cents for every dollar earned by White, nonHispanic men in 2022, highlighting a persistent wage gap that limits their financial stability. At the same time, Latina entrepreneurs are driving growth, with Latina-owned businesses increasing by 26.5% between 2018 and 2021, creating nearly 147,000 jobs and generating $5.92 billion in payroll annually. Supporting policies that address these issues is critical to supporting Latinas’ ability to build wealth for themselves, their community and the entire economy.
Educational Access
Latinas are making strides in educational attainment, but systemic barriers continue to hinder their success. With Hispanic students comprising 56% of California’s K-12 enrollment, educational equity is crucial for preparing the state’s future workforce. While 87% of Latinas graduated from high school in 2023, exceeding the state average, only 18% of Latinas aged 25+ had earned a bachelor’s degree, far below the
48% of White women. Investing in accessible, affordable education and creating pathways to career success is essential to closing achievement gaps and fostering long-term economic stability for Latinas and their families.
Health Care Access
Addressing healthcare inequities is essential for achieving political and economic parity for Latinas. Without access to affordable, quality care, Latinas face dire health outcomes, higher rates of medical debt, and limited economic mobility, which hinder their ability to fully participate in civic and professional leadership. The uninsured rate for Latinas in California reached a historic low of 8.8% in 2022, compared to the state average of 6.5%, but both are expected to rise as pandemic-era policies expire. Nationally, Latinas’ uninsured rate is 3.5 times higher than that of White women, reflecting systemic barriers that undermine long-term stability.
Policy Priorities:
- Expand Coverage: Ensure affordable healthcare for all, including undocumented and low-income families.
- Address Bias: Promote culturally competent care and fight racial disparities.
- Improve Health Outcomes: Focus on maternal health, reproductive care, and equity.
- Boost Workforce Diversity: Support Latinas in healthcare careers.
Contact
To learn more please contact Maria Morales, Director of Statewide Policy.