The Female Perspective

Las Que Mueven El Mundo - Happy Women's History Month, let's dive into it.

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RQZA MEDIA
March 14, 2025

Welcome to the newest edition of Riqueza Weekly, a newsletter created for the people by the people, or what we like to say pa la gente. RQZA Weekly, is your go-to source for the latest in money, power, and cultura. As we welcome our newest arm Riqueza Media, we wanted to have a place to chismear pero con educación. Our people need the education to understand what is going on around the U.S. y en todo Latino América. Lo que pasa acå, nos afecta allå y viceversa. Expect to read content on business, finances, economics, higher-ed, policy and everything in between.

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This week, we’re talking about:

  • 💾 Las Mujeres Are Getting That Bag – Women are investing more than ever, leading the charge in real estate, stocks, and cryptocurrency as they close the gender wealth gap.

  • đŸ’Œ The DEI Rollback is Leaving Latinas Behind, and the Wage Gap Could Take Centuries to Close – With major companies backing away from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, Latinas face even steeper barriers to breaking into higher-paying positions.

  • 📉 Is a Recession on the Horizon? How to Prepare Amid Economic Uncertainty – With rising tariffs and economic instability, the Latino community is hit first and hardest. Here’s how to safeguard your finances.

  • ⚖ Civil Rights Protections at Risk – Proposed policies from the Trump administration threaten to roll back civil rights protections for marginalized students, especially in the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.

  • 💔 The Silent Struggle: Immigration, Mental Health & The Toll on Women – How immigration policy disproportionately affects the mental health of immigrant women who are often the primary caregivers for their families.

  • 📚 Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia Student Leader – A federal judge halts the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, raising concerns over political repression and the targeting of student activists.

  • đŸłïžâ€đŸŒˆ Is Banning Conversion Therapy a Free Speech Issue? SCOTUS Will Weigh In – A SCOTUS case that could impact the rights of LGBTQ+ youth, particularly in BIPOC communities, as more states ban harmful conversion therapy practices.

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The Rundown: Business, Economics & Finances

Las Mujeres Are Getting That Bag—Women Are Investing More Than Ever

Women are securing their financial futures like never before! According to Fidelity’s 2024 Women & Investing Study, more women are investing—not just in retirement funds, but also in real estate, stocks, and even cryptocurrency. This is a major win in the fight to close the gender wealth gap, where women hold significantly less wealth than men over their lifetimes.

Even better? Younger women are leading the charge, proving that financial literacy and wealth-building are becoming a priority for the next generation. And while the stock market might be wild right now, the best time to start investing is still ASAP—because wealth doesn’t wait.

Want to join the women investing trend? Here are a few resources to help you get started:
📚 Books: Clever Girl Finance by Bola Sokunbi, The Money Manual by Tonya Rapley
🎧 Podcasts: Yo Quiero Dinero, The Clever Girls Know Podcast
📈 Platforms: Ellevest, M1 Finance, Vanguard
đŸ€ Community: Riqueza Riqueza WhatsApp Channel

The DEI Rollback is Leaving Latinas Behind, and the Wage Gap Could Take Centuries to Close

Big companies like Meta and Walmart started backing away from their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments even before Trump’s latest push to dismantle these programs. And let’s be real—this is nothing but bad news for mujeres Latinas, who are already severely underrepresented in mid-level management (holding just 5% of those roles).

With fewer DEI initiatives, the barriers to breaking into higher-paying positions will only get worse. Right now, Latinas earn just $0.57 for every dollar a White, non-Hispanic man makes. At this rate? Pay equity won’t happen until the 2200s. Sí, you read that right.

So, amiga, it’s time to gather your receipts, negotiate that salary, and start building your own wealth. Whether that means launching that side hustle, investing, or stepping into entrepreneurship, the system was never made for us—but that’s never stopped us before.

Is a Recession on the Horizon? How to Prepare Amid Economic Uncertainty

With President Trump’s erratic decision-making, concerns about a looming recession are growing. The stock market is taking a hit, and rising tariffs could push grocery prices even higher—disproportionately affecting working-class and immigrant communities. While Trump dismisses these economic shifts as just “a little disturbance,” for everyday Americans, the consequences could be devastating.

For Latino households in particular, where many essentials—from produce to pantry staples—come from Mexico and Latin America, these policy changes could mean significantly higher costs of living. Economic instability has a way of hitting our communities first and hardest, which means preparation is key. Despite the myth that Latinas aren’t strong savers, many Latinas are debunking the stereotypes and are spearheading their families finances, estates, and assets everyday. Now more than ever, it’s important to practice conscious money management.

Here are some practical steps to safeguard your finances:

  • Create a Budget: Start tracking your income and expenses to develop a spending plan.

  • Build an Emergency Fund: The standard recommendation is three months’ worth of expenses, but in this climate, aiming for at least six months is ideal.

  • Pay Down Debt: Reduce outstanding balances to minimize financial strain if the economy takes a downturn.

  • QuĂ©dense Calmados / Stay Calm: Panic leads to rash decisions—staying informed and strategic is the best defense.

While the administration downplays the risks, our communities can’t afford to be unprepared. Economic resilience starts with taking action now.

The Receipts: Policy & Immigration

Is Banning Conversion Therapy a Free Speech Issue? SCOTUS Will Weigh In

On March 10, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors—a practice condemned by leading medical organizations as harmful and ineffective. Christian therapist Kaley Chiles claims the ban violates her First Amendment rights, arguing that it “interferes with my ability to serve my clients with integrity.” Colorado’s attorney general, however, maintains that states have long regulated medical practices to protect patients from harm. By Gladys F. Leyva

With more than 20 states enforcing similar bans, this ruling could have widespread consequences for LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly in BIPOC communities, where access to affirming mental health care is already limited. A 2022 study found that conversion therapy disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals from immigrant and religious backgrounds, further exacerbating mental health disparities.

The Silent Struggle: Immigration, Mental Health & The Toll on Women

Immigration isn’t just about crossing borders—it’s about navigating systems designed to wear people down. And for immigrant women, the stakes are even higher. Between legal uncertainty, financial instability, and the pressure of being primary caregivers, the mental health toll is severe—yet too often ignored.

A study from CAMH highlights how social determinants—like legal status, employment, and access to healthcare—directly impact immigrant women's mental well-being. Many face heightened risks of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, but barriers like language, stigma, and lack of culturally competent care prevent them from seeking help.

This struggle is not just numbers—it’s real lives. Take Yolanda, mother of Xitlali, who has been her primary caregiver while she undergoes chemotherapy for cancer. Their story reflects a harsh reality: women bear the weight of both their families and the immigration system. Yolanda is at risk of deportation, a move that could separate her from her daughter during a critical moment in her treatment. This is what immigration policy looks like in practice—forcing impossible choices on families already in crisis.

The U.S. immigration system often fails to account for the emotional and psychological damage it inflicts, especially on women who hold their families together. As deportations rise and legal protections remain uncertain, the question remains: who cares for the caregivers?

Higher- Ed, Higher Stakes: Academia & Education

Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia Student Leader

A federal judge has put a halt on his deportation...for now. The Trump administration’s efforts to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and prominent leader of pro-Palestinian campus protests. Khalil, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), became a symbol of the broader concerns around political repression and the targeting of activists—especially those advocating for marginalized communities.

This ruling underscores the growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and free speech protections on college campuses. Many advocacy groups warn that the administration’s crackdown on student activists could disproportionately affect international students and immigrant women involved in social justice movements.

Civil Rights Protections at Risk

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights safeguards students from discrimination, but Trump’s proposed policies could weaken these protections, especially for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students. His platform prioritizes antisemitism complaints while downplaying racial discrimination cases and targeting diversity initiatives with fines and taxes on colleges.

A major rollback involves Title IX—originally a women’s rights law—which Biden expanded to include LGBTQ+ protections. Trump plans to exclude transgender students entirely, impacting their rights in schools. Advocates warn these changes could create more barriers for marginalized students, undoing years of progress in civil rights enforcement.

Pa’ Que Sepas: Noticias

Wealthy Beyond Money: Community y Cultura

Community in Action: Puente’s Fight for Justice & Survival

In times of crisis, nuestra comunidad does what it does best—steps up, organizes, and takes care of our own. Last month, Puente, a Human Rights Movement, held a Know Your Rights training that brought together over 150 people, equipping them with the tools to protect themselves and their families. But their work doesn’t stop there.

From bi-monthly food banks to legal education workshops and even cultivating a jardín comunitario, Puente is more than an organization—it’s a movement rooted in collective care and resistance. In a system designed to keep us struggling, Puente proves that when we move together, we build real power.

Beyond the Bros: The Conservative Young Women Building an Alternative to the Manosphere

While the "manosphere" has dominated conversations about online conservative spaces, a growing movement of young women is creating its counter-narrative—promoting traditional gender roles, marriage, and a rejection of mainstream feminism. These influencers frame their ideology as a return to "traditional values," but often overlook how Indigenous, Black, and Latinx communities have long embraced communal care, food sovereignty, and holistic wellness—principles now echoed in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

This ideological shift raises concerns for progressive and marginalized communities. While MAHA and similar movements advocate for collective well-being and economic equity, conservative influencers reinforce Western, patriarchal frameworks that prioritize individualism over systemic change. The question remains: Will this movement reshape political priorities for younger generations, or will Indigenous-led and community-based solutions counter its influence?

@adhd.bri on the Productivity & Pay Gap

Creator @adhd.bri is breaking down the harsh reality of the productivity-pay gap—where worker productivity has skyrocketed, yet wages have remained stagnant. According to a report from the Economic Policy Institute, since 1979, worker productivity has increased by over 60%, but hourly compensation for the average worker has barely budged.

Bri’s content challenges the hustle culture that pressures workers—especially women and marginalized communities—to overproduce without fair pay. Her work highlights how corporate greed and outdated wage structures keep working-class Americans from building wealth, despite contributing more than ever.

Follow @adhd.bri for more insights on labor rights, fair compensation, and why rest is resistance.

@adhd.bri

Replying to @Natatta I’m passionate about this one. We need to raise the minimum for everyone’s sake, not just the poor. It can and will w... See more

Eat Those Beans & Rice! Taking Back Our Cultural Foods

For too long, white diet culture has labeled our Latino foods as “unhealthy,” but Dalina Soto, registered dietitian and founder of Your Latina Nutrition, is here to set the record straight. Our cultural foods aren’t the problem—the Americanization of them is. The deep-frying, the over-processing, the supersized portions—that’s not us.

Dalina is reclaiming our comida, reminding us that frijoles, arroz, plátanos, nopales, and masa-based dishes are nutritious, balanced, and full of cultura. Through her TikTok and her book, The Latina Anti-Diet, she’s challenging the misinformation and empowering Latinas to embrace food freedom—sin guilt, sin shame.

hungry line GIF by IHC 1NFINITY

Gif by IHC1NFINITY on Giphy

đŸ„‘ Follow Dalina on TikTok for real-talk nutrition tips
📖 Read The Latina Anti-Diet for a decolonized approach to food
đŸœ Eat your arroz con frijoles proudly—our ancestors knew what they were doing!

Rulebreakers: Voices of Resistance & Change

💕Special Editon: Female Perspective Movies to Add to Your Watch List💕

đŸŽ„  Hidden Figures: Hidden Figures tells the inspiring true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three African American women who overcame racial and gender barriers at NASA. Despite facing systemic discrimination, these brilliant mathematicians and engineers played pivotal roles in the success of John Glenn’s orbital flight, a landmark achievement in the Space Race.

đŸŽ„ She’s is Beautiful When She’s is Angry: This documentary offers a refreshing perspective on second-wave feminism, moving beyond the traditional focus on white, middle-class women. Unlike many other accounts of the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s, it acknowledges intersectionality and challenges the limitations of white feminism, providing a more comprehensive and inclusive narrative.

đŸŽ„ The Handmaid’s Tale (& Project 2025): The Handmaid’s Tale has long been seen as a cautionary tale about government control over women’s rights. With the rise of Project 2025, a conservative agenda aimed at reshaping the U.S. government, the parallels are becoming undeniable. Project 2025 proposes restricting reproductive rights, dismantling DEI programs, and increasing government control over social policies that disproportionately affect women, BIPOC communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Advocates warn that these moves could roll back decades of progress, turning dystopian fiction into reality. The question is: Are we watching The Handmaid’s Tale unfold, or is it time we take action to protect our autonomy—bodily, economically, and legally?

Knowledge is power—share it âœŠđŸœ,

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Pa’ la gente, by la gente.

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