In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we sought out some of our wonderful Hispanic sisters to give us a little insight into their life as a Hispanic Woman in Roofing. Today we have answers from Mayra Navarro representing El Salvador!
Name and Title:
Mayra Navarro
Business Name and Location:
LA Solar Group & Drone Solutions LLC
Los Angeles, California.
What do you embrace and love most about your culture?
I embrace the passion and “Ganas” or “Hunger” that comes from within my people. My parents always taught me to work hard for what I want in life and I think that has pushed me to strive for better things in life. The passion that flows within me helps me get up in the morning and want to do better and I think that is the case with many Latinos.
What is something you want others to know about your heritage?
I am Salvadorian. I was born in El Salvador and moved to the United States when I was 7 years old. I want people to know that El Salvador is a very small country but the people that come from there and live there have BIG dreams. Even to this day the president of El Salvador is the youngest in the world and loved by many because of the positive changes that he has made with his political party called “Nuevas ideas” – “New Ideas” That is something that makes me proud to this day.
Have you faced any challenges in your life because of your ethnicity?
When I moved here when I was 7 years old I didn’t know how to speak English and even though I learned within a year I am still learning that even though you can basically grow up here and basically talk and act like an American you won’t ever truly be one until you become a citizen right now I am a DACA recipient and even though that provides me with a social security number and work permit I live in fear that one day it will be taken away from me that is a challenge I have not been able to surpass yet.
Who has been an inspiring figure of Hispanic descent throughout your life? How or why has this person made an impact?
My dad. He came to this country when he was 27 years old, the age I am now and I admire everything he has accomplished for my family. I am proud that he never gave up and always strives to do better.
What is your favorite way to celebrate your heritage?
I love celebrating the holidays with my family. That is something that I love about my culture the closeness we have with family every holiday we celebrate by cooking Salvadorian food like Pupusas, Yuca Frita, Nuegados, Panes con pollo and that just reminds me of when I was little and we would celebrate in El Salvador by making panes con pollo and lighting up fireworks throughout the night.