Diverse Voices, Strong Leaders: A Conversation with Ana Camila Vásquez León

Advocating for Change

Q1: Ana, you’re known for your advocacy work. What inspired you to use your voice for social impact?

I was born and raised in Venezuela, a country that has been grappling with a deep and prolonged crisis throughout my entire life. Growing up in this environment, I witnessed firsthand the impact of the immense challenges that our society has been facing daily – from economic hardships to political instability and social inequality. It became clear to me that I couldn't stand idly by while my community and my country struggled.

What truly inspired me to use my voice for social impact was the resilience and strength of the people around me. From my family and friends to my dance students or the children I used to work with within the different non-profit organizations I had the privilege to work on as a social researcher. Despite facing adversity, I saw individuals and communities coming together to support one another, demonstrating incredible solidarity and determination. This resilience and the strong sense of community made me realize the power of collective action. A clear example of this was a little girl from the community Cota 905, one of the most violent places in Venezuela, who showed me the same skills and passion in dancing as her safe space to express herself that I have, despite not even having a pair of shoes to dance with.

Additionally, I was fortunate to have access to education that granted me my degree in economics and a master’s in public policy, which opened my eyes to the broader social issues and injustices not only in Venezuela but also around the world. Learning about the struggles of marginalized communities globally deepened my commitment to social advocacy. Beyond academia, I have been working and applying my knowledge non-stop since 2018 within various organizations in the areas of human rights, international development, peacebuilding and reconciliation, crime and violence prevention, and community building in low-income areas in Venezuela, Sierra Leone, and nowadays my new home in Chicago. Opportunities from which I have learned how kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, and hard work are key values for people to thrive in hardship.

After witnessing a thirteen-year-old boy carrying a machine gun since he had been recruited by a local gang, I realized that something has to change in order for us, the younger generations, to have the future of our choice rather than one imposed by our environment. I believe that every person has a responsibility to contribute to positive change in their society, and I was inspired by the idea that my voice and actions could make a difference, in other words, is my way of giving back and showing gratitude for how privileged I have been. That's why I decided to use my platform as a young professional to advocate for social change, amplify the voices of those who often go unheard, and work towards a more just and equitable future for my country and the world.

What truly inspired me to use my voice for social impact was the resilience and strength of the people around me.

Q2: How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your passion for social causes?

Balancing my professional responsibilities with my passion for social causes is indeed a crucial aspect of my life. It's a challenge that I approach with dedication and careful planning.

First and foremost, I make sure that my professional responsibilities are fulfilled to the best of my abilities. This includes meeting deadlines, being a good team member, being proactive and creative in my role, and continuously improving my skills. I currently work as an organizational impact analyst at the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, a Community Action Agency dedicated to providing services that help empower low-income individuals and families to move out of poverty. I believe that excelling in my profession not only allows me to contribute to my organization’s mission but also provides me with a platform to further advocate for the most vulnerable of them all.

To balance this with my passion for social causes, I've learned to integrate my advocacy efforts into my daily life wherever possible. For example, I look for opportunities to raise awareness about social issues within my workplace, especially as a migrant Venezuelan/Latina living in the United States, collaborate with colleagues on initiatives that align with my values, and participate in volunteer programs or corporate social responsibility projects. For example, I used to be a part of different student-led organizations that collaborated to develop a series of projects such as teaching math in underserved communities, community workshops for parents on how to better plan their household finances, and academic forums to discuss the most current and pressing challenges of the country.

Additionally, time management and prioritization play a significant role. I ensure that I allocate specific time slots in my schedule for social advocacy activities, just as I would for work-related tasks. This allows me to give my full attention to both aspects of my life without one overshadowing the other.

Furthermore, networking has been instrumental in this balance. By connecting with like-minded individuals in my professional field who are also passionate about social causes, I've been able to find support, resources, and opportunities for collaboration that make it easier to pursue both my career and my advocacy work.

Ultimately, the key to this balance is a strong sense of purpose. My commitment to social causes drives me to be efficient and effective in my professional life so that I can have a positive impact both within and beyond my workplace. It's a challenging juggling act, but it's incredibly rewarding, and I believe it's essential for creating meaningful change in the world.

Q3: Could you share a story of a time when your leadership skills helped drive positive change in your community?

Last year I was fortunate enough to be awarded one of the Davis Peace Project grants along with two other Venezuelan friends and colleagues from the University of Chicago, which allowed us to build the first “solidarity hub” computer lab in one of our communities to provide over 40 children with an intensive summer camp of math and language classes.

After the COVID-19 pandemic I was deeply concerned about the lack of access to quality education for underprivileged children in my country. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, most schools in the world started teaching remotely. However, in the most vulnerable sectors, families do not have access to the basic needs of homeschooling. As some of these kids are becoming poorer, an entire generation is growing up without the opportunity to get an education. Many of these children were falling behind in their studies due to a lack of basic resources such as electricity, internet, and computers to have virtual classes, and support from prepared and dedicated teachers due to the mass exodus of professionals in Venezuela.

Recognizing the urgency of the issue, I decided to take a step further as a leader in my school and partnered with two friends who were currently working with a non-profit organization in Venezuela called “Puntos Solidarios”, which has been working since 2017 to face a temporary situation related to child malnutrition, providing a lasting solution, and promoting the organization and citizen involvement to empower communities to address their problems to maintain peace. After almost two months of an application process and with the support of the International House of the University of Chicago, we were selected as one of the awarded projects to obtain US $10,000 for a social program focused on education and peacebuilding.

The areas where we have our programs are very complicated and dangerous and children do not have the opportunity to grow and develop decently. Our goal was to secure life-changing facilities where kids can grow with love, solidarity, and educational support, thanks to our group of volunteers. Leading mothers of each community direct these facilities and receive all the necessary equipment to cook every day for 150 children.

As a leader, I emphasized collaboration and communication within our team and with the community. Within this project, we aimed to go a step further and start developing a plan for the organization’s future and sustainability. Utilizing solar panels and renewable energy, we were able to solve a huge side of the crisis which is the lack of electricity and internet access in our communities. Volunteers attended every week to help the children with academic support and recreational activities. Although we experienced some changes in the number of students enrolled, their ages, and the times scheduled for class, all the programs went smoothly and just as planned. These spots broke all the barriers of conflict and are an example of the restoration of nourishing and adequate communities for the next generations of Venezuelans. Thanks to this experience we were able to obtain feedback and so we adjusted our approach as needed to ensure we were meeting the evolving needs of the children and their families.

Child malnutrition causes conflict. The lack of places where kids can develop themselves causes disharmony. The mix of both causes violence. Through not just covering children's basic nutritional needs but also their development and educational skills, we are contributing to a future, not like the one that is currently imposed on them, where they most likely end up engaged in violent organizations or working for the gangs, but rather to help them to grow and choose whatever they want to be. By having more educated and well-developed youth, we are also contributing to more spaces for tolerance, dialogue, and respect, where conflicts can be peacefully solved instead of the current situation where extreme polarization has plagued our families and communities.

Over time, we began to see remarkable improvements in the students' academic performance and their overall confidence. But what truly made me proud was the sense of empowerment that grew within the community. This project showed us that resilience is a huge part of these children’s lives, and we were able to witness firsthand that passion and skills can still grow in adversity. We are personally inspired by each one of the students we were able to teach this summer in the sense of how motivated and engaged they were with the program, and we will definitely apply such lessons in our personal lives from now on.

Our initiative not only helped these children catch up in school but also fostered a sense of hope and unity within the community. It was a clear demonstration of how leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to a shared goal can drive positive change. This experience strengthened my belief in the power of grassroots efforts and community leadership to address pressing social issues, and it continues to inspire me to be an advocate for change in my community.

Q4: What’s your advice for Latinas who want to make a difference but feel unsure where to start?

My advice for young Latinas who aspire to make a difference but may feel unsure where to start is simple but powerful: Believe in yourself and your potential to effect change, you belong in any room you set your mind to even if it does not feel like that at first. Making a difference begins with a strong sense of purpose and a willingness to take the first step.

Here are a few tips that have helped me so far along my path:

• Identify Your Passion (your “why”): Start by identifying the social issues that resonate with you the most. What are the causes or challenges that deeply move you? Whether it's education, healthcare, social justice, or any other area, choosing a cause that genuinely matters to you will sustain your motivation in the long run despite the hardships along the way.

• Educate Yourself: Knowledge is a powerful tool for change. Take the time to educate yourself about the issues you're passionate about. You don’t need to attend elite schools to be aware of what is happening around the world. Read news, watch documentaries, attend seminars, and engage with experts in the field. But most importantly, form a critical mind that allows you to discern and have your own opinion and believes regarding a topic that matters to you. This will not only help you understand the nuances of the problem but also equip you with the information needed to advocate effectively.

• Build a Support System: Surround yourself with a supportive network of individuals who share your values and aspirations. Seek mentors and role models who can guide you on your journey. Connecting with like-minded individuals and organizations can provide invaluable resources and opportunities.

• No start point is too small: Making a difference doesn't always require grand gestures. Begin by taking small, manageable steps. Be kind to others, have empathy for those who are not as lucky as you, even a smile or a “have a good day” to a stranger can make a difference in others. Volunteer at local organizations, get involved in community projects, or start your own initiatives on a small scale with your friends. Start the conversation with the people around you, since every action, no matter how modest, contributes to positive change.

• Use Your Voice: Your voice is a powerful tool for advocacy, and you don’t need to be the loudest to be heard. Share your thoughts and ideas in any platform you have access to either with your community, on social media, or through writing. Speak up for those who may not have a voice and amplify their stories and experiences.

• Persist and Adapt: Making a difference can be challenging, and you may encounter setbacks along the way. Remember that perseverance is key. Stay committed to your cause and be willing to adapt your approach based on the lessons you learn from your experiences.

• Celebrate Your Successes: Don't forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Recognizing your impact can boost your motivation and inspire others to join you in making a difference.

• Embrace Your Identity: Your Latina heritage is a source of strength and resilience. For example, I used to be ashamed of my accent when speaking English at first but nowadays is a reminder of the fact that I can speak multiple languages and is something that I’m proud of. Embrace your cultural identity and use it as a unique perspective to address social issues. Celebrate the diversity and richness of your heritage as you work toward positive change.

• Seek Professional Development: As you gain experience, consider pursuing education and professional development opportunities in fields related to your chosen cause, and if in different contexts and environments that take you outside of your comfort zone the better. Be open to people who thinks differently than you and learn how to work with different backgrounds and perspectives. This can enhance your effectiveness as an advocate.

• Believe in Yourself: Lastly, always remember that you have the capacity to create meaningful change. Your voice and your actions matter. Believe in your ability to make a positive impact on your community and the world.

In uncertain moments, know that many trailblazing Latinas before you have made significant contributions to society, and you can too. Your journey may have its challenges and it will not be linear, but your determination and passion will be your guiding lights. You have the potential to make a profound and lasting difference in the lives of others and in the world.