We’re honoring the incredible achievements of five Latina and Afro-Latina athletes who’ve embraced their cultural heritage and used their platforms to inspire others.

Each of these sportswomen is an example of strength, resilience, and cultural pride—showing young girls everywhere that embracing your identity isn’t just empowering; it’s a tool for building true confidence and self-worth.

Jessica Mendoza

When Jessica Mendoza became the first female analyst in Major League Baseball history back in 2015, she didn’t just step into the broadcast booth—she shattered stereotypes in a field long dominated by men. A 2x Olympic medalist in softball, she is proof of what it looks like to live with zero self-limitations.

She has always celebrated her Mexican-American heritage, using her voice and platform to show girls that what sets you apart is exactly what makes you strong.

Jessica’s journey is a powerful reminder that true confidence comes from embracing your own strengths rather than squeezing yourself into someone else’s mold.

This message perfectly aligns with ZGiRLS' teachings, where minimizing comparison and focusing on individual strengths are keys to building lasting confidence.

Laurie Hernandez

Laurie Hernandez leaped onto the global stage in 2016 as the first U.S.-born Latina gymnast to compete for Team USA in 32 years. But her journey wasn’t without its struggles.

Growing up, Laurie often felt out of place, like she didn’t fit the “typical” image of a gymnast. Instead of letting that hold her back, she turned her differences into a strength, embracing the idea that success doesn’t come from changing who you are—it comes from owning it.

Now a two-time Olympic medalist, she proudly represents her Puerto Rican heritage and speaks openly about how it shaped her courage and determination:

"Grounded in my [Puerto Rican] culture, I found the true meaning of courage and determination, which guided my way through the sport of gymnastics. These skills helped light my path to the Olympics and inspire little girls watching me to try something new."

As a Latina and queer athlete, Laurie’s story shows that embracing your identity isn’t just about fitting in—it’s about celebrating everything that makes you uniquely you.

Maritza Correia McClendon

Maritza Correia McClendon made history in 2014 as the first African American woman to make a U.S. Olympic swim team, bringing home a silver medal.

Born to Puerto Rican parents and raised in Florida, Maritza has always been proud of her Afro-Latina identity. Growing up in a sport where diversity was rare, she often faced challenges of feeling different from her peers, but she used these experiences to fuel her journey toward success.

“Earning a spot on the Olympic team is special for everyone,” she said. “But it was an even better feeling to know I made history… I wanted to be a role model to minorities.”

Maritza’s story is one of breaking barriers, not only as an Afro-Latina woman in swimming but also as a role model for anyone suffering from medical difficulties. She was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 6 and her doctor encouraged swimming as a form of corrective therapy. The rest is history.

By owning her heritage and using it as a source of pride, she exemplifies ZGiRLS’ teachings on how embracing one’s identity and uniqueness is crucial to building confidence.

Maritza continues to be an advocate for diversity in swimming, showing young girls of color that they belong in every space.

Maria Solis Belizaire

Maria Solis Belizaire is an Afro-Latina marathon runner and the founder of Latinas Run and Latinos Run, two organizations that promote health and wellness within the Latinx community through running.

Growing up in South Florida, Maria faced numerous challenges as a teenager—including the incarceration of her mother—which led her to use running as a refuge and outlet.

Joining the high school track team gave her the support she needed during this difficult time. Eventually, running became a way to connect with her roots and her community.

"[In my thirties], I joined a few well-established running groups,” she wrote for Refinery29. “but found that they all shared one thing in common: They consisted mostly of super-fast white men.”

"That was when I knew I needed to create a group that felt like a safe space, where people weren’t being left [behind]. I had to create something that was for us."

Today, Latinos Run and Latinas Run support over 25,000 runners, offering a community where individuals can feel empowered, supported, and visible.

Her work emphasizes the importance of both physical and mental health in the Latinx community, particularly for Afro-Latinas, a group often marginalized in discussions of both health and sport.

Karla Wheelock

Mexican mountaineer Karla Wheelock is the first Latin American woman to climb the Seven Summits—the tallest mountains on each continent.

In her book, Las 7 Cumbres, she shares how the values she learned from her culture—resilience, determination, and community—helped her reach new heights, both literally and figuratively. For Karla, her Mexican heritage is integral to her achievements.

Wheelock’s story mirrors ZGiRLS' teachings on how self-worth is built by valuing who you are. Her message to young Latinas is clear: Embrace who you are, and let your culture be a foundation for your confidence.

You’re doing great. ZGiRLS is here for your family.

ZGiRLS equips middle school girls with the mental health tools and resources to build lifelong confidence, resilience, and unwavering self-worth. Learn more about how we help tweens and teens realize their fullest potential.

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