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The National Latina Business Woman Association was founded in May of 2003 in Los Angeles, California with fifteen women that realized there was a need and they also had the vision to start an organization that catered to the business woman and professional woman by offering programs of substance to help guide them. Furthermore, the many emails from Latinas across the country inquiring about a chapter in their area told me that we needed NLBWA nationwide.

A committee within the NLBWA-LA chapter established and developed the criteria for the "Emerging Latina Program" which is a 6-8 week boot camp for women offering educational materials in marketing, law, accounting, IT, etc. They also have in place a workshop on how to write a business plan and have given $1,000 business scholarships for the best plan written per session. Each chaper designs their own sessions with Latinas as speakers. It was also decided early on to have a "Latina Financial Program" geared to both the personal and business side of finances. The chapters also have monthly breakfasts, luncheons, dinners or mixers with guest speakers. Moreover, and most importantly I felt the need to highlight Latinas n business and professionals once a year at all chapers throughout the country with a Gala awards event.

The first chapter formed was in Los Angeles with over 120 members strong within four short months. As the founder I served on the LA chapter Board of Directors for a year and a half as we formed the criteria for programs and formed the National board.

The Sacramento chapter was formed in August of 2004 followed by the Orange County chapter in July of 2004. Then the San Diego chapter was launched in December of 2004. We officially became a national organization on December 4, 2007 when the Atlanta Georgia chapter was launched. Then this year in 2008 we launched the Inland Empire chapter on April 24th. The Central California chapter will be launched by year's end.

As we celebrate our five year anniversary I am still extremely excited that we have come so far in such a short period of time and could not have done it without the commitment from all of the wonderful people that have volunteered their efforts. I look forward to launching two to three new chapters per year and to take NLBWA international soon!

THERESA YNZUNZA
Founder, National President