The first lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy, attended LUPE Fund, INC., “Power to Latinas: Strengthening our Legacy” event on Oct. 17.
New Jersey’s oldest Latina-run organization hosted a Conference and Networking Reception regarding the empowerment of Latina’s and their engagement in civics, politics, business, education and health. This event, held on Oct. 17 at the University Hall Conference Center, provided a plentiful amount of both panels and booths. The main crux of the event however, was the appearance of the key speaker, Tammy Murphy, first lady of New Jersey.
“It really is true testament to [Montclair State University’s] ability to uplift our students and open up opportunities worthy of their potential,” Murphy said. “Like LUPE Fund, Montclair State has a long history of empowering, educating and engaging Latinas and that shared work is what we are here to celebrate.”
Tammy Murphy speaking at the LUPE Fund event at Montclair State University. David Bien-Aime┃The Montclarion
“I can think of truly no finer place to symbolize our state’s status as a proud home of one of the largest and most diverse Hispanic and Latino populations in the entire country,” Murphy said. “Montclair State is one of the most diverse and inclusive universities in the United States. 45% of this years incoming class identified as Hispanic.”
On top of talking about the campus achievements, she also proclaimed the efforts and achievements regarding both LUPE and the administration of New Jersey, as well as exclaiming the importance of Latina’s voices being heard.
“Empowering Latinas in everyone area of life, from the public office to the corner office, to the home, it empowers all of us,” Murphy said. “Protecting the health of Latinas, protects all of us. Investing in talent young Latinas, invest in all of us and that is exactly what we are focused on here in New Jersey.”
Many such organizations also made appearances, such as the New Jersey Puerto Rico Commissions, Compass ABA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and NJEDA, as well as a variety of vendors.
Tammy Murphy with the LUPE organizers. David Bien-Aime┃The Montclarion
Many of the vendors at the event were mainly Latin businesses that ranged from selling plants, jewelry, books, prints and designs. The event also provided a number noted panels that helped see Latinas in every avenue of life. The panels consisted of topics from education, health and business.
Each panel included a variety of speakers who discussed Latina-run small-owned businesses, Latina’s in education and helping those regarding health in the Latin community. Alongside these speakers and the first lady, both president of LUPE, Rosemarie Moyeno Matos and University President Johnathan Koppell spoke in regard to the many triumphs that both the organization and Montclair State has acquired.
President Jonathan Koppell appearing at the LUPE Fund event speaking. David Bien-Aime┃The Montclarion
Koppell remarked on the vendors and the conferences events by paraphrasing the song “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down),” from Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical “Hamilton”.
“I think the moral of the story from today is that Latinas get the job done,” Koppell said. “It’s even true that when we’re talking about Latinos getting stuff done, there’s probably Latina’s behind that job too.”
