HWC Advocates for Latino Community by Declining MCSO Booth

By Ruben Hernandez, ArizonaLatinos

The Arizona Republic and other media reported Friday that the Hispanic Women’s Corporation (HWC) has declined an exhibitor application from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). The application was completed and paid for online. Linda Mazon Gutierrez, HWC President and CEO, refunded the exhibitor fee when this transaction was brought to her attention. The $800 booth fee was returned.

Mazon Gutierrez says she made the decision to decline the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) exhibitor application as a vendor for the annual Professional and Leadership Institutes based upon business and social justice reasons.

She adds that HWC reserves the right to decline a vendor application whose presence would be disruptive to the thousands of attendees, youth, sponsors and exhibitors attending the HWC events on September 26-27. It is the intent of the organization for the focus to continue to remain in a positive learning environment for all concerned.

“The decision also is based upon a recent court ruling that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has engaged in racially profiling Latinos for years. It is regrettable that under Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s leadership the MCSO has waged severe negative actions against Latinas and their families. The mission of HWC and MCSO is therefore not aligned,” she says.  

Mazon Gutierrez says HWC leaves the door open for future positive dialogue with the current and future leadership of MCSO in an appropriate forum based upon demonstrated actions and rhetoric reflecting goodwill toward the Latino community.

Meanwhile, the MCSO sent out a press release Friday saying the HWC decision was a “classless move” by the HWC leadership and silences the voices of the Latina employees who work at MCSO.

Mazon Gutierrez responds that it was unfortunate that MCSO Latinas are impacted by what the MCSO leadership has done in the past against the Latino community.  She says that once the attitude and actions of the MSCO leadership change for the better, so will the relationship between MCSO Latinas and the Hispanic Women’s Corporation annual conference.

 About the Hispanic Women’s Corporation

Hispanic Women’s Corporation (HWC) empowers Latina women and youth by serving as an effective voice for their communities since 1982. HWC demonstrates its commitment to this mission by supporting and promoting Latinas through: leadership development at national, regional and local levels; wealth building and entrepreneurial opportunities’ professional advancement seminars; and the Youth Leadership Institute to promote academic advancement in higher education, civic opportunity, education, and engagement.

 About the HWC Conference

 On September 26-27, 2013, the Hispanic Women’s Corporation (HWC), one of the largest and oldest Latina-led nonprofit in the United States, is hosting its 28th Professional Development and Leadership Institute place at the Phoenix Convention Center, West Building, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. The Institute is the premier professional development and networking opportunity for Latinas nationally and more than 3,000 people are expected to attend. Fifty (50) college scholarships will be awarded at their annual HWC Scholarship Benefit Luncheon on Sept. 27.