Myriam Del Angel, a Chicago HR professional and author, launches her new book “Latinas in Corporate: Overcoming Cultural Obstacles While Juggling a Career and a Family.”
“Unfortunately, for Latinos, we’re raised to put our heads down, work hard, and then hope that someone taps us on the shoulder to acknowledge our talents. That’s not how it works in corporate America. You need to advocate for yourself.”
CHICAGO (PRWEB)
April 17, 2023
Myriam Del Angel, a Chicago-based human resources professional with experiences working at Microsoft, Accenture, Deloitte, E&Y, PwC, and Grant Thornton, gives readers three different scenarios of Latina women in corporate America with her new book called “Latinas in Corporate: Overcoming Cultural Obstacles While Juggling a Career and a Family” published by Fig Factor Media.
Using her cultural background of being a first-generation Latina of Colombian and Mexican descent as well as first-hand stories from women who work in corporate America, Del Angel created three Latina fictional characters facing real-life challenges at home and at work. Readers learn about a young Colombian woman from Miami caring for her elderly parents and who is asked to change her hair and wardrobe to fit in at her workplace; a Mexican woman from Chicago trying to climb the corporate ladder to partner at a firm without support from her family and an older Puerto Rican woman from New York, facing retirement and learning to be proud of her accent in the corporate world. The book addresses other issues such as divorce, menopause, dating, and guilt for not being the best daughter, wife, mother or employee.
“As a Human Resources professional, I get to see the good, the bad, the ugly,” said Del Angel who is also an author in “Latinas Rising Up in HR Vol.1.” “And also in my experience with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I saw a lot of inconsistencies among not only females but people of color. Many women have shared their stories with me and the same themes kept coming up over and over again.”
Del Angel also educates her readers about how Latinas are paid and seen in the American workplace. According to the National Partnership for Women & Families “for every dollar a white, non-Latino man makes in corporate America, their Latina coworker makes a mere 54 cents.” According to LeanIn.org, “Latinas ask for promotions and raises at a similar rate to white men yet the “broken rung” still holds them back at the first critical step up to manager. For every 100 men promoted to manager, only 75 Latinas are promoted.”
“What’s so surprising is that I speak to Latinas all the time and I ask them ‘Did you know that we are the least paid of any gender and race in corporate America?’” she said. “The response I receive is ‘I never heard of that.’ When I hear this, I’m shocked, but it’s true. What I’m doing in this book is to educate readers of all racial backgrounds and Latinas about this statistic because we should know what the numbers look like.”
After resonating with these moving stories, readers will also find a section of resources and tools for mental health, building confidence, education, and connecting with professional organizations.
“There is a widespread belief among Latinos, especially the older generation, that discussing mental health will be an embarrassment and shame for the family,” she said. “So, I talk about the need to change this belief. How can we be productive in the world if we don’t feel good in our own skin? So, I recommend that when you’re ready to talk to someone, find a therapist that works for you. In the book, I have a resource that helps Latinas connect with Latino/a mental health professionals through a website such as https://latinxtherapy.com/.”
Del Angel wants to empower Latinas to speak up for themselves in their workplace and to not be afraid to network to find other job opportunities.
“Unfortunately, for Latinos, we’re raised to put our head down, work hard, and then hope that someone taps us on the shoulder to acknowledge our talents,” she said. “That’s not how it works in corporate America. You need to advocate for yourself.”
“Latinas in Corporate” is available on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and Walmart.com.
About Myriam Del Angel:
Myriam Del Angel has over 20 years of experience as a bilingual human resources professional. She has advised leadership on all aspects of human resources and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and belonging. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Northeastern Illinois University and has worked for companies such as Arthur Andersen, Microsoft, the University of Chicago, Accenture, Deloitte, E&Y, the University of IL at Chicago, PwC, and Grant Thornton.
Myriam is a contributing author for “Latinas Rising Up in HR Volume 1,” a book that proudly showcases incredible stories of inspiring women making a difference and rising in the HR field across multiple
industries. She also participates in panels and podcasts about career development, human resources, and Latina empowerment.
She is a foodie, and loves Latin dancing, CorePower yoga, and traveling. Myriam is Colombian and Mexican and is a proud mom of three teenagers who love and play soccer, and she spends her time between Chicago and Miami.
About Fig Factor Media:
Fig Factor Media Publishing is an international publishing company with a “beeping” heart. Fig Factor Media
has helped many authors achieve and support their dream of impacting their communities in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Fig Factor Media is the official publisher of Today’s Inspired Latina. For more information, http://www.figfactormedia. com. ###
Share article on social media or email: