Today we’d like to introduce you to Leticia Rodriguez.
Hi Leticia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in the Northeast San Fernando Valley in a predominantly low-income neighborhood. I am one of five sisters, and my parents always instilled in us the importance of education in us. That’s why, after I graduated from San Fernando High School, I am proud to say that I attended and graduated from Stanford University with an M.A. degree in Education and a B.A. in Political Science.
After college, I went on to work at various nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles, specifically helping low-income youth. Graduating from Stanford University opened so many doors for me, and I’m passionate about helping students from my community so they can access the same opportunities. I joined DIY Girls in 2017 because I believe in our mission and know that exposing girls from our community to STEM will open countless doors for them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not. One of the earliest challenges I faced when I was at Stanford University was being homesick. I almost left and transferred to a local university because the transition and being away from my family was tougher than I had expected. Thankfully in my toughest moment, a fellow Stanford Latina became my support system. We studied together and she helped me realize the accomplishment of being at a school like Stanford and the importance of representation. We laughed when I said, “why do I have to represent all the Latinas?”. Ultimately, I’m so thankful for my friend because once I made the transition, I started taking advantage of everything Stanford offered and made more friends.
Professionally, transitioning to an Executive Director role was a big change from my previous positions, and I faced many new challenges. I struggled with imposter syndrome and not necessarily knowing how to be the best leader. However, I asked for help and I sought after resources and spoke with mentors who have helped me grow not only as an Executive director but also as a leader.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently the Executive Director for DIY Girls, an educational non-profit serving the Northeast San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Our mission is to increase girls’ interest and long-term success in technology, engineering, and making through hands-on STEM programming and educational experiences. We encourage engagement with technology, promote self-confidence, and support aspiration to technical careers.
I am proud of our team and the impact we make on the lives of the girls every day. I was recently reading a quote from one of our 5th-grade students who said, “I didn’t know how to believe in myself, I thought I could do anything but DIY girls showed me to believe in myself.” It’s moments like these that make me the most proud.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is getting together with my family at my grandma’s house on Christmas eve to make tamales and open presents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.diygirls.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diygirlsorg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DIYGirlsOrg
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DIYGirls
