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Thriving in the Fight: A Survival Manual for Latinas on the Front Lines of Change
Social justice work is more crucial than ever, but it can be physically and emotionally draining. Longtime activist Denise Collazo offers three keys to help Hispanic women keep their focus, morale, and energy high.
Doing the work of social change is hard. Waking up every day to take on the biggest challenges of our time can be overwhelming, and sometimes progress is hard to see. She understands that Latina and all women of color activists do their best work when they are thriving, not simply surviving.
Denise Pad�n Collazo has been there. She is the first Latina, the first woman of color, and the first woman period to raise a family and stay in the work of community organizing at Faith in Action, an international progressive network of 3,000 congregations and 2 million members. Drawing on her own experiences of triumph and failure, and those of other Latina activists, Collazo lays out three keys to thriving in the movement for social change: leading into your vision, living into the fullest version of yourself, and loving past negatives that hold you back. She also warns about the three signs that you may be surrendering: wishing for a future reality to emerge, wondering where your limits are, and waiting for permission and answers to come from others.
Using this framework, Collazo offers wise and compassionate advice on some of the most important leadership challenges facing Latina activists. She explains how you can integrate family and work, step out of the background and claim your leadership potential, confront anti-Blackness in your own culture, keep focused on your ultimate purpose, and raise the necessary resources to keep fighting for justice. This honest, practical, and inspirational book will help Latina activists to burn bright, not burn out.
Doing the work of social change is hard. Waking up every day to take on the biggest challenges of our time can be overwhelming, and sometimes progress is hard to see. She understands that Latina and all women of color activists do their best work when they are thriving, not simply surviving.
Denise Pad�n Collazo has been there. She is the first Latina, the first woman of color, and the first woman period to raise a family and stay in the work of community organizing at Faith in Action, an international progressive network of 3,000 congregations and 2 million members. Drawing on her own experiences of triumph and failure, and those of other Latina activists, Collazo lays out three keys to thriving in the movement for social change: leading into your vision, living into the fullest version of yourself, and loving past negatives that hold you back. She also warns about the three signs that you may be surrendering: wishing for a future reality to emerge, wondering where your limits are, and waiting for permission and answers to come from others.
Using this framework, Collazo offers wise and compassionate advice on some of the most important leadership challenges facing Latina activists. She explains how you can integrate family and work, step out of the background and claim your leadership potential, confront anti-Blackness in your own culture, keep focused on your ultimate purpose, and raise the necessary resources to keep fighting for justice. This honest, practical, and inspirational book will help Latina activists to burn bright, not burn out.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2021
2 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 22, 2021
This book is a love letter to women and women of color who are leading the important work of systems change and who don't have the extra time to curl up by a self-help book that is 200 pages too long. This is a manual that all women should have on their desk or night stand as a reminder that they need to do more than survive at work, they need to thrive! Collazo does a brilliant job of organizing this manual with practical tools and tips we can all practice to lead more balanced lives, while also recognizing that much needs to change in traditional nonprofits to create the type of work places where we can all thrive. This is an excellent gift for the women who lead in their communities and households, but who need a reminder to take care of themselves too! Beyond that, employers can learn from Collazo who not only talks the talk, she's shows us how she's transformed workplaces as a leader in the advocacy space. If we all had this manual, we can truly transform workplaces and communities for the better.
July 9, 2021
An honest insight into Latina women working for social change. Collazo does a masterful job of keeping it real including racism within the Latino community while being a voice for reason and change. This book should be required reading for all!
February 24, 2021
I was looking for something more secular, but in such a short book, the author refers to her organization, Faith in Action, more than 30 times.
March 22, 2021
This book is empowering and vulnerable, complete with stories that demonstrate her point, reflection questions, and actionable steps. I can’t wait to get copies for my coworkers!
September 28, 2021
In a year where there's no way to ignore the centuries of social and racial injustice, Denise provides a blueprint for not only staying in the fight, but thriving. Her book could not have been more timely, not only for the politico of our times, but also for me personally as a DEIJ advocate and educator. I'm not Latina, but I could relate to nearly everything Denise wrote as the mother of a Jewish, mixed-race family. And, at a time when I felt really burnt out, she renewed my faith that I could continue to fight the good fight as a community and educational activist.
Denise also spoke to members of our Diversity Book Club at my daughter's elementary/middle school in Massachusetts and I can attest to the fact that everyone loved her sharp mind, wit, and spirit, and they also felt a renewed sense of urgency and energy to engage again with this work. It's hard, but Denise knows how to rally the troupes and she does so in a way that is both accessible and makes you fall in love with her as a human being. Her book is the kind of book that you keep next to your bedside, so that when you feel you need some encouragement, Denise is there to give it to you! I highly recommend THRIVING IN THE FIGHT for personal reading and also for group readings & discussions. And contact her if you'd like her to speak to your group. She has a real talent as a speaker and motivator.
Denise also spoke to members of our Diversity Book Club at my daughter's elementary/middle school in Massachusetts and I can attest to the fact that everyone loved her sharp mind, wit, and spirit, and they also felt a renewed sense of urgency and energy to engage again with this work. It's hard, but Denise knows how to rally the troupes and she does so in a way that is both accessible and makes you fall in love with her as a human being. Her book is the kind of book that you keep next to your bedside, so that when you feel you need some encouragement, Denise is there to give it to you! I highly recommend THRIVING IN THE FIGHT for personal reading and also for group readings & discussions. And contact her if you'd like her to speak to your group. She has a real talent as a speaker and motivator.
March 17, 2021
Denise takes the "inspirational business book" concept to a new frontier, providing this resource to Latinas working for social change. It's very personal, accessible, and easy for busy women to pick up and read, even when you only have a few minutes. The book is sprinkled with helpful "callouts" and reminders of earlier content. There are also useful worksheets to put learning into action.
More important are the personal stories Denise shares, from her own life and work, as well as those of colleagues. The most powerful chapter in the book calls out Anti-Blackness in each of our cultures of origin, providing not just a critique, but a call to action. But it is the chapter on raising money that most elicits the reaction, "You make it sound so easy! Surely I can do that!"
As a woman who is not Latina, I found the book encouraging and informative. I hope that to be true for all who pick it up.
More important are the personal stories Denise shares, from her own life and work, as well as those of colleagues. The most powerful chapter in the book calls out Anti-Blackness in each of our cultures of origin, providing not just a critique, but a call to action. But it is the chapter on raising money that most elicits the reaction, "You make it sound so easy! Surely I can do that!"
As a woman who is not Latina, I found the book encouraging and informative. I hope that to be true for all who pick it up.
September 22, 2021
Social change is an uphill struggle, and can be emotionally and physically draining. I got the sense that Activist Denise Collazo knows this struggle all too well BUT I also absolutely love her energy and enthusiasm in the way she tells her stories and others.
Her stories about her own experience, struggles and victories, and those of other Latina activists in this book, are so powerful - not just for someone in a marginalised community but for those of us who are not and need a deeper understanding of what life is like for others.
It's an enlightening read with inspirational advice to help Latinas overcome any leadership challenge, sure. But I learned so much about other people, about our prejudices and how we can all help each other thrive in our communities and in society.
Her stories about her own experience, struggles and victories, and those of other Latina activists in this book, are so powerful - not just for someone in a marginalised community but for those of us who are not and need a deeper understanding of what life is like for others.
It's an enlightening read with inspirational advice to help Latinas overcome any leadership challenge, sure. But I learned so much about other people, about our prejudices and how we can all help each other thrive in our communities and in society.
September 23, 2021
There is something in this book for everyone. As an Asian American woman, I was deeply moved by this book. Denise Collazo writes so authentically and honestly about her struggles and triumphs in the movement. She is honest about the things that are hard (and real systemic barriers) and reminds us of the power we each hold and what can be transformed when we step into this power. This book is crucially practical and helped push me from theory to practice (e.g., gave me language to describe how I was feeling, gave me practices/actions to live into my values).
This book is a love letter to Latina women and women of color as well as an invitation to white folks to be true partners in transforming our world to be more just and loving.
This book is a love letter to Latina women and women of color as well as an invitation to white folks to be true partners in transforming our world to be more just and loving.
September 30, 2021
I was so excited when I received my copy of “Thriving in the Fight” - and it didn’t disappoint! With this book, Denise outlines important information for women leaders while managing to make it sound like she’s just sitting with her girlfriends, encouraging each one by cheering them on and sharing stories of other women working hard to make meaningful change in this world. I also love that she didn’t shy away from addressing racism within the broader Latin community and gives thoughtful suggestions on how we can unlearn our own biased thinking. This book is a must read for social justice leaders as well as for anyone who believes we can all work together to improve the culture we live in.
September 30, 2021
A must read for anyone in leadership! Denise offers fantastic insights and practical advice regarding many of the challenges and opportunities all leaders face. Although written with particular issues common to Latinas or political activists in mind, the wisdom in this book is for everyone. As a non-Hispanic white woman in academic leadership, many of the examples and advice still ring true for me - and help me better understand and center the voices and experience of my colleagues of color. I have already made specific changes in my work and home life thanks to the wisdom offered here and am passing copies on to all of my colleagues.
September 29, 2021
Triving in the Fight it is a book that teaches us as Latina Women of color that there can be a change if together we help each other to fight for our voice to be heard. Denise Collasois a warrior woman and an expectucalar author who has decided to fight and empower women of color to whom together we can have a voice and be heard. I had the opportunity to interview Denise Collazo in my program in Spanish with the National Parents Union. It was an impressive story about her experience as a minority woman who had the opportunity to attend Harvard University.
September 25, 2021
If you read one book this fall, read Thriving in the Fight. Denise has detailed the tools necessary for women of color to be successful in abolishing the inequities faced over decades of injustice. The experience and strength shared in these pages gives hope to a better, more just, world.
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September 27, 2021I recommend reading this inspiring book! Every women should read it. It’s inspiring, uplifting and will make you feel supported by real life experiences. I felt empowered and was truly motivated to conquer the world.
Heidi
Heidi
September 28, 2021
Denise has written a powerful book that inspires Latinas and women of color broadly to disrupt the patterns we have been conditioned to accept from society around who we can be in the world - read this and feel inspired to live boldly!
September 22, 2021
This book brings together the author's lifetime of experience, stories and insights to provide a practical and inspirational book to help Latinas (and many others) find their voice to drive change.
January 18, 2022
Short read but definitely well thought out! I definitely appreciated the reflection activities within the book which allowed me to reflect. I definitely feel inspired!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews