Working within the Internal Communications team at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Marina Garcia helps tell the story of the agency to all of the employees. From writing articles to communicating critical information to the agency, Garcia is proud of the work she and her team accomplish.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the many contributions and accomplishments of the Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x community. Garcia explained how celebrating this month helps her to reflect on her own family’s accomplishments and those that helped get her to where she is today.
“My grandmother came to the United States when she was only seventeen and my mother was a first-generation college graduate. Their efforts in moving forward helped inspire me to also go further in my career,” she said. “I’m the first one in my family to get my Master’s, and I’m sure that the future generations of my family can accomplish even more than I can.”
Orgullosa de su Cultura
Garcia moved to California several months ago with her fiancé to embark on a new journey. She recalls that when she first moved to the Bay Area from Texas, she was very homesick. “I missed my family deeply, especially the gatherings we would have where we played Lotertía and went to La Pulga. I never realized how much I took comfort in my Mexican culture until I was no longer surrounded by it,” she explained.
One thing that helped her cure her homesickness was something that helps connect many people and cultures: food. “That’s what’s beautiful to me about Mexican culture, that our food can help connect us. Whether it be making breakfast tacos or fideo, these simple foods helped me get my bearings in an exciting new place while also reminding me of where I came from,” she said with a smile. “I get so excited when I try out a new taqueria place because just being in that space makes me feel at home, and the food helps remind me that I still have a community here in this new era of my life.”
How the Latino/a/e/x Community is Stronger Together
The Latino/a/e/x community is made up of so many different cultures, languages, and histories. Garcia explained that the connection and bonds built between the Latino/a/e/x community are created through “our common experiences, food, and much more, which is what makes this community so great!” She goes on to say how the community can stay united through any obstacles. “There’s a lot of challenges the Latino/a/e/x community is still facing today, so unity is more important than ever. Together, we can create change that will further create opportunities for future generations.”
As Garcia reflects on her career path and where she is today, some words of wisdom from her grandmother come to mind. “My grandma had this saying ‘Tu tienes el mundo en tus manos’, which translates to: ‘You have the world in your hands.’ I share this with you in hopes of inspiring you to realize that you can do anything in this world,” she said.
“Think of all the people who helped pave the way to where you are now and know that your success is there’s as well. We should all feel that we are supported and seen in what we choose to do in our lives.”