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Developing professionally while taking on caregiving tasks is a challenge for countless women. And, if you’re an immigrant, a mother and a journalist, the challenges are further multiplied.
María Hinojosa, 63, is an example of how all these facets can coexist and complement each other. With more than 30 years of experience, she has won four Emmy Awards, the Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting and the Edward R. Murrow Award. And, in addition to her journalistic work, she’s a researcher, writer, producer, university professor and mentor to hundreds of women.
Born in Mexico City, Hinojosa has no qualms about saying that Mexico will always be her home, no matter what happens. This is despite the fact that she’s lived in the United States since the age of one. Throughout her time as a journalist, she’s worked tirelessly to tell the stories of those who are often ignored by the system. Her body of work — reports, radio shows, documentaries and podcasts — has been a powerful voice for the Latino community in the United States, giving visibility to the experiences of migrants, fighting for social justice and creating spaces where those who have been silenced can be heard.
In a video call with EL PAÍS — logging on from her country house in Connecticut — she speaks about her migration story, the weight of the Latino vote in the upcoming elections on November 5, the consequences of a second term for Donald Trump and the importance of analyzing misinformation on social media. Despite the adverse outlook, her enthusiasm is perceived in each of her words. “Every cloud has a silver lining,” she says.
Question. What does it mean for you to be Latina in the United States?
Answer. That’s a question with many answers, depending on the historical moment. In 2024 — a few days before the elections — being Latino, Latina, Latine, or Latinx carries a very heavy weight. Identifying yourself in this way implies recognizing that Latinos not only exist,...