The Book of Awesome Latinas
The Book of Awesome Latinas: From Passionate Pioneers to Unstoppable Innovators
Now Available for Pre-Order. Out In The World On March 17th, 2026!
"For too long, Latinas have been made to believe we don’t have a history or heroines to be proud of, just the same few names and faces endlessly recycled by media that was never interested in telling the whole story.
The Book of Awesome Latinas breaks that pattern. Spanning Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Latina diaspora, this book celebrates the oft-forgotten change-makers, artists, innovators, barrier-breakers, and freedom fighters who shaped our past and are redefining our future. These are the stories that were overlooked, minimized, or never taught at all — until now."
— Raquel Reichard, author of “Self-Care for Latinas” and Deputy Director at Somos by Refinery29
a love letter to past and present Latinas from all over the world who have been written out of history books.
From the foremothers who blazed trails and broke barriers, to today's women warriors across a wide range of fields, including but not limited to medicine, literature, politics, civil rights, space exploration, and the arts. The Book of Awesome Latinas presents 74 portraits of powerful and inspiring role models for chicas poised to become the superwomen of the future.
Each person featured in this book has broken barriers, defied expectations, and made a lasting impact within their communities. Through their courage, resilience, and steadfast determination, they will serve as powerful role models for the next generation, proving that when representation is lacking, we must be brave and bold enough to be the first.
It features pioneers such as Frida Kahlo, who changed the art world forever with her bold biographical portraits; Katya Echazarreta, the first Mexican woman to visit the stars; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an outspoken justice warrior and advocate; and America Ferrera, whose powerful monologue on womenhood in Barbie resonated across generations and creeds.
Other incredible women featured are:
June Beer: An Afro-Nicaraguan naïve artist, who gained national and international acclaim for her works depicting African and feminist themes. She was also the first woman poet on Nicaragua's Atlantic coast and wrote in Moskitian Creole, English, and Spanish.
Gabriela Mistral: A Chilean poet and educator, who became the first Latin American author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Rigoberta Menchú: An Indigenous Guatemalan woman and human rights activist, who made history as the first Indigenous woman to run for president of Guatemala.
Chiquinha Gonzaga: A Brazilian composer, pianist, and the first woman conductor in Brazil. She was the first pianist of "choro" and author of the first carnival march, "Ó Abre Alas."
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: A philosopher, poet, and advocate for gender equality in New Spain (now modern-day Mexico) during the Baroque period (1600-1750).
Berta Cáceres: A Honduran environmental activist, Indigenous leader, co-founder and coordinator of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras.
Dolores Huerta: A civil rights activist and labour leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and championed workers' rights.
Nuria Piera: A Dominican journalist specialising in investigative journalism.
Sonia Sotomayor: The first Latina member of the U.S. Supreme Court, who continues to influence the nation with her legal wisdom and commitment to justice.
Argelia Laya: An Afro-Venezuelan schoolteacher, women's rights activist, guerrilla fighter, and politician.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa: A NASA astronaut who became the first Latina in space and later served as the first director of NASA’s Johnson Space Centre to be of Hispanic or Latino descent.
Marta Vieira da Silva: Known mononymously as Marta, she is a Brazilian-Swedish professional footballer and regarded by many as the greatest female footballer of all time.
Rita Moreno: A legendary actress, singer, and dancer who is the only Latina to have won a PEGOT (Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award), solidifying her legacy in the entertainment industry.
If you liked books such as Jenni Rivera: The Incredible Story of a Warrior Butterfly by Leila Cobo, ¡Viva Latina! by Sandra Velasquez, Mamá Didn't Raise a Pendeja by Carolina Acosta and Aralis Mejia, Rad Women Worldwide by Kate Schatz, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, or The Book of Awesome Asian Women by Karen Wang Diggs, you will want to read The Book of Awesome Latinas.
About The Authors
Mirtle Peña-Calderón is a seasoned journalist and editor with an extensive background in storytelling and media. Mirtle co-founded Latinidad Collective, a platform dedicated to amplifying Latino and Latine voices. She currently resides in Miami, Florida.
Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda is a multicultural business strategist, speaker, and author with a proven track record of success. As a recognized thought leader, Ashley's work has been featured in prominent outlets including Forbes, Telemundo, and Business Insider, where she has shared her insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and the power of community. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
Endorsements + Press
For PR inquiries, email hola@ashleykstoyanovojeda.com.
For wholesale/bulk orders, use the contact form.
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“This book is a powerful celebration of Latine brilliance across generations. It is the kind of book every kid, and every adult carrying their inner child, needs on their shelf.”
- Dr. Esther Zeledon, Author of Creating Your Limitless Life
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“Latinas’ achievements are VASTLY under celebrated. With this book, we’re reminded of how remarkable Latinas are and have been, and we’re reclaiming our mark in history across every industry. It’s a must-read!"
-Liz Rebecca Alarcón, Founder & CEO @ProjectPulso
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"As timely as it is urgent, The Book of Awesome Latinas arrives at a moment when our community needs, more than ever, to take control of the narrative. These stories remind us that our legacy has always been built in real time, through resilience, imagination, and sheer will. For every woman of color looking for inspiration or a reason to keep showing up, this book belongs on your shelf.”
- Yamily Habib, Editorial Director, mitu
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“More than ever, we all need to be reminded of the Latinas who not only dreamt of a better world, but committed their lives to ensure it became a reality. This book will inspire Latinas everywhere to believe that they, too, can be the change!”
- Cat Lantigua, Author of “Build It and They Will Come: A Guide to Architecting Intentional Community
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"I wasn’t even through the first page when I knew I was going to love this book. As someone whose day job is to amplify the voice of Latinas, this book made my heart sing. What a beautiful homage to who we are, what we’ve accomplished, and the ways we’ve made our presence known in a world that too often dismisses our contributions. Thank you to Ashley and Mirtle for writing a book that truly celebrates us!"
— Hady Méndez, Author of Calladita No More and Host of the LinkedIn show, Latinas: Front & Center
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"For too long, Latinas have been made to believe we don’t have a history or heroines to be proud of, just the same few names and faces endlessly recycled by media that was never interested in telling the whole story. The Book of Awesome Latinas breaks that pattern. Spanning Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Latina diaspora, this book celebrates the oft-forgotten change-makers, artists, innovators, barrier-breakers, and freedom fighters who shaped our past and are redefining our future. These are the stories that were overlooked, minimized, or never taught at all — until now."
— Raquel Reichard, author of “Self-Care for Latinas” and Deputy Director at Somos by Refinery29