This literature is one that I would definitely recommend. As a woman of Hispanic decent, I was able to engage in the stories of these Mexican American women. I was certainly able to connect with these second generation women. The growth of these second generation women and the identities cultures they faced were worth reading about. My personal point of view is that Hispanic women have always been exhibited to be homemakers and housekeepers but this book brings light to the feminism that is taught without regard by their mothers to seek an education and improve their lives through education. I have always known for the men to be the head of the household. I believe it has been instill within the Mexican culture that men are the providers and women were the homemakers, but this literature brought forth how our mothers have inhibited those changes.

As I have begun to read and learn more of my culture I have been intrigued with how Hispanic women have continued to change their roles in society today. From what I have read and seen first-hand from my family roles have changed significantly in the household and workforce. I believe these Latina roles have shifted into even greater prospects for our future Latinas. The opportunity is there and I have decided to research the role changes of our Latina women. Whether their roles have changed in the household or workforce the challenge is there and I believe Latina/Hispanic women have begun to seek great opportunities and have the GANAS to seek what men have been doing for so long. I plan to interview Latina women from various ages and professions. I am eager to learn of what has been the force behind their drive and what has caused them to seek these role changes.

The passion and the interests of this book reminded me of the important women in my life. My mother and grandmother especially, I remember as child watching them both cook in their kitchens. Each kitchen was set up differently and set they both functioned in a different way. My grandmother's food was so delicious; she never followed a recipe or any written notes. These women and their sazón while creating their artwork was just magical to see and most importantly I savored the meals they prepared. Each dish is complementary to their unique style, their preparation, and the love that they have for their family. As we continued to read the novel we learn from these women and their experiences. We learn of the importance of their kitchen spaces and how cooking for family members and guests serve as a great importance. Moreover, we begin to learn and recognize the gender effects and boundaries. The space of the kitchen and the sazón that is implicated is a symbolism of power for all women regardless of race.

As the semester comes to an end we are working towards finals and placing the finishing touches on our final course projects. I can confidently say that I learned a great deal of useful information in my Latinas in U.S. Society course. This course has assisted my growth tremendously as a Latina. Throughout the semester we have been introduced to some great readings. These readings have assisted me with learning more of my culture and most importantly with my self-identity. In the past, I have had some difficulty in identifying who I am because I could not speak the language so fluently to satisfy my people and the color of my skin has always been an identifying factor that I am of Latin descent. However after reading, comparing and learning from others and their journeys we are all pretty similar. Although our stories may be similar and we may face some of the same adversities we are all special in our own way. As a first-generation, non-traditional student I am proud to say that I am Latina. My Latino people have suffered, whether it be those who reside in the colonials or to those who participated in the Chicano movement, the determination, and love we have to progress does not cease to end. Latino culture is so rich with our family traditions, our foods, our customs, our music and the list continues. We face adversity just like any other indigenous group but we continue to grow and prosper. We are a unique group of ethnic individuals and I am so proud to be a Latina. To professor Casso Thank You for introducing me to such great reading material. Easy reads but yet they were so full of informative information. This semester has been exceptional and I am sad to see it end, but ready to progress further.

The days for our final assignment are approaching pretty rapidly. The interviews are going so smoothly and are quite interesting, to say the least. The Latinos I have had the opportunity to interview have been phenomenal. Their stories and perseverance are so enlightening. I have a few more interviews to conduct this week and I will be able to place my entire research paper together. This has been a great assignment because I have learned so much from those who are close to me and especially from those I did not know their complete story. I do know that I am so ever proud of these ladies and all their accomplishments. They appear to have a desire like no other and yearn to succeed, not only as women but as Latina women. 

The Maid's Daughter: Living the Inside and Outside The American Dream: A very interesting book that describes the real life events of a young lady who is caught between two different cultures. She resides in an upscale neighborhood with a Caucasian family her mother is their live-in domestic worker. Olivia's mother does not receive any monetary compensation for her hard work but is compensated in a manner that leads to a better living and future for her Hispanic daughter. Olivia suffers from self-identity because she resides in this upscale home with those that are privileged. She finds difficulty in trying identifying with the family in which she resides with, her peers and her family in Mexico. Olivia becomes very angry with the family in which she resides with and seems to be a bit rebellious at times. Her values and morals are different than the Caucasian families children and throughout the book, Olivia demonstrates her frustration with all that she is surround with. This choice of reading was a definitely a great read, it is a book that demonstrates the issues that live-in domestic maids suffer.