Cuentos para mija: Latinx Mothers Cultivating Equity for Latina College Students via Intergenerational Knowledge

• In Event: Drawing Upon Chicana Feminist and Multigenerational Knowledge of Latinas/xs to Claim Authentic Academic Experiences and Identities

Abstract

This paper uplifts and calls attention to the role Latinx mother figures play in the resistance and persistence of their daughters who attend college. In particular, this paper highlights the impact intergenerational knowledge has on Latinx college students as they navigate the academy and argues for the utilization and application of culturally relevant knowledge, such as cuentos or familial words of wisdom, to increase the equity within student retention and support on campus. Finally, this paper argues for the need to validate Latinx mothers as leaders, not only within their communities, but also for their college-going daughters which further advances efforts to decolonize the definition of knowledge while validating Latinx communities as creators of knowledge.

Authors

• Cecilia Elizabeth Suarez, University of Florida

• Berenice Sánchez, Idaho State University