SPRING 2019 - NOBLEZA WOMEN - VIVA LA MUJER

NOBLEZA MAGAZINE
MAKEUP MOGUL + EMMY WINNER + OLYMPIAN
CONTENTS
POLITICS
HERSTORY MADE! FIRST LATINAS FROM TEXAS
IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.
MEET THE LATINAS BLAZING TRAILS ON THE
NATIONAL AND STATE LEVEL
STEM
IDENTICAL TWIN SISTERS AND NASA ENGINEERS
THE ARTS
MUSICIANS AND ARTIST, THE BEST OF THE BEST
EXCLUSIVE!
COVER: MEGAN MARTINEZ
PHOTOGRAPHY: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT
MEDIA
FROM POETS TO SUNDANCE FILM MAKERS AND
A DAYTIME EMMY WINNER, TEXAS HAS IT ALL!
MEGAN MARTINEZ:
QUEEN OF COSMETICS
SPORTS
TWO OLYMPIANS AND THE FIRST LATINA
PRINCIPAL DANCER OF THE HOUSTON BALLET
PROVECHO
GABY NATALE:
DAYTIME EMMY
WINNER
MARLEN ESPARZA:
OLYMPIAN & FIRST
FEMALE OF GOLDEN
BOY
MEET THE LATINAS LEADING THE VEGAN
MOVEMENT IN TEXAS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 3 JAMES BEARD
SEMI-FINALIST

from the Editor
“No estudio por saber más, sino por ignorar
menos” – Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
I HAVE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS MOMENT FOR
ALMOST FOUR YEARS. IN 2015 I WAS IN L.A. ON A
WORK TRIP, WHEN A GREAT FRIEND AND
COLLEAGUE SPOKE THESE MAGIC WORDS TO
ME, "YOU SHOULD START YOUR OWN
(MAGAZINE)."
I HAD BEEN SO BUSY WORKING TOWARDS MY
EMPLOYER'S GOALS AND DREAMS, THAT IT
NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO DREAM FOR
MYSELF. FROM THAT ONE CONVERSATION, A
SEED OF HOPE WAS PLANTED, AND I BEGAN TO
WONDER WHAT MY MAGAZINE WOULD LOOK
LIKE.
LIFE TOOK A CRAZY TURN THE FOLLOWING YEAR
AS I WITNESSED MY COMMUNITY - THE LATINO
COMMUNITY - BEING ATTACKED BY A
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. I WAS SO OUTRAGED
THAT I MADE THE CHOICE TO PUT MY DREAMS ON
HOLD AND STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK,
EVENTUALLY FINDING MY WAY TO WASHINGTON
D.C. FOR THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
CYCLE.
FAST FORWARD TO FEBRUARY 2017, I, LIKE HALF
THE NATION, WAS HORRIFIED AND SADDENED
LOOKING AHEAD AT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS OF
THIS NEW PRESIDENCY. I WAS FILLED WITH
ANGER EVERY TIME MY COMMUNITY (AND OTHER
COMMUNITIES) WERE SLANDERED AND
CRIMINALIZED BY THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. I
COULD NO LONGER TAKE IT AND I CHANNELED
MY ANGER. I BEGAN TO WRITE AGAIN, AS A LINE
OF SELF-DEFENSE. FOR EVERY INSULT, I WOULD
PRODUCE A STORY ABOUT A LATINX CHAMPION.
IT WAS THEN THAT THE CLOUDS PARTED, AND I
SAW THINGS CLEARLY; I NEEDED TO RETURN TO
MY FIRST LOVE, STORYTELLING.
Yol-Itzma
Y O L - I T Z M A A G U I R R E
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
WRITING ABOUT LATINX ACHIEVEMENT WAS WHAT
I HAD ALWAYS KNOWN, IT WAS A PART OF ME. I
FELT IT IN MY SPIRIT, IT WAS NOW TIME TO TAKE
MY DREAMS OFF HOLD.
I KNEW I WANTED TO CREATE A FRESH VIBE, A
NEW SPACE WHERE LATINX STORIES LIVED,
WHERE WE COULD FEEL PRIDE AND CELEBRATE
EACH OTHER AND OUR COMMUNITY, AND I KNEW I
WANTED TO BUILD THIS IN MY HOME STATE,
TEXAS.
BEING A WOKE, EDUCATED LATINA, I ALSO
WANTED THE NAME TO RECOGNIZE OUR PLACE IN
HISTORY; NOBLEZA WAS BORN. 'NOBLEZA' MEANS
NOBILITY AND WHAT WAS ONCE A TITLE THAT
MAY HAVE BEEN DENIED TO OUR ANCESTORS, I
RECLAIM - RIGHTFULLY - AS OURS.
THIS FIRST EDITION, SPRING 2019, IS DEDICATED
TO ALL LATINAS THAT HAVE HAD TO BE THE FIRST
ONE TO WALK A PATH, IN ANY CAPACITY. I
REVISITED EACH SECTION AND LOOKED FOR THE
ONE, THAT IS LEADING THAT NEXT WAVE,
BLAZING THAT NEW TRAIL.
I CAN'T TELL YOU THE AMOUNT OF ORGULLO I
FEEL WHEN I LOOK AT THESE PAGES. TO QUOTE
ONE OF MY IDOLS, "ME SIENTO MUY, EXCITED!"
I HAVE POURED MY LITTLE CORAZONCITO INTO
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE PAGES AND MY
HOPE IS THAT YOU LOVE THIS EDITION AS MUCH
AS I DO; THAT YOU WILL LOOK THROUGH THESE
PAGES AND SEE A PIECE OF YOURSELF, YOUR
FRIENDS AND/OR YOUR COLLEAGUES, ETC., BUT
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE WILL FINALLY SEE
EACH OTHER, REFLECTED.
IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN HONOR TO TELL YOUR
STORIES AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING THIS
JOURNEY TOGETHER. WELCOME TO THE PAGES
OF NOBLEZA...
@Yolitzmagik
@Yolitzma_
send story ideas to:
noblezamagazine@gmail.com
In honor of the women's edition, the 3
Latinas from Texas I admire most.
Top: Selena Quintanilla Perez
i have written so many blogs on what she
has meant to my life (and the lives of many)
she was the voice of my generation.
through her I finally saw myself reflected in
mainstream and for the first time i too felt
beautiful in my brown skin and full lips.
Middle: Jovita Idar, the woman who paved
my personal path. She was an activist,
organizer, educator and the first Mexicana -
Texan to start a newspaper. Every time I
have doubts about launching my own
publication, I remembered Jovita Idar.
Bottom: This phenomenal woman, mi
querida madre, her strength flows through
me. She is my rock and foundation, the
woman who built a new life in a new
country and gave me all the opportunities
she never had. Every day I strive to make
her proud and to be worthy of her many
sacrifices. Te quiero.
www.noblezamagazine.com

DEFEND DIGNITY PRINT BY SHEPARD FAIREY
The person on the poster was meant to be
anonymous — to be representative of a community.
I think what it shows is the strength, confidence,
brilliance, and fierceness of my ancestors.
- MARIBEL GONZALEZ (2017 UTSA MAGAZINE INTV.)

WE HAVE BEEN HERE LONG BEFORE THE COLONIZERS SET FOOT IN THE 1400S,
WE WERE HERE BEFORE TEXAS WAS TEXAS. FROM OUR INDIGENOUS ROOTS,
TEJAS, TO THE FRENCH AND THEN SPANISH CONQUISTADORES, THE
INDEPENDENT NATION OF MÉXICO, COAHUILA Y TEJAS, REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, TO
NEXT WAVE...
PRESENT DAY TEXAS.
OUR TEXAS WOMEN'S HISTORY COMES IN EVER-CONSTANT WAVES. FROM OUR
REVOLUTIONARY ANCESTORS, LAS ADELITAS, TO JOVITA IDÁR AND EMMA
TENAYUCA, TO NAME A FEW; IT IS IN OUR DNA TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR
JUSTICE.
THIS 2019 SPRING EDITION COMES ON THE HEELS OF NATIONAL CHANGE, THE
MOST AMOUNT OF WOMEN THAT HAVE EVER RUN FOR OFFICE, THE MOST
AMOUNT OF WOMEN ELECTED INTO CONGRESS, TEACHERS, MOTHERS, TIAS,
AMIGAS, ETC., WE ARE TAKING THE TORCH FROM THE WOMEN BEFORE US AND
CONTINUING THE FIGHT.
MUJERES OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION
THE ICONIC IMAGE BELOW (CENTER) WAS ONE OF FIVE CREATED AS PART OF THE “WE THE PEOPLE: DEFEND DIGNITY” PRINT BY SHEPARD
FAIREY,TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND HIGHLIGHT MINORITY COMMUNITIES TARGETED BY RACIST RHETORIC, PARTICULARLY DURING THE 2016
ELECTION SEASON.
THE 'LATINA' POSTER HAS COME TO REPRESENT THE FIERCE LATINA WITHIN US ALL. WHAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT THE PHOTOGRAPH
HAS TEXAS TIES, NOT ONLY THE WOMAN BEHIND THE IMAGE, BUT ALSO THE TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER - ARLENE MEJORADO - AN L.A.
PHOTOGRAPHER WHO WAS WORKING OUT OF SAN ANTONIO AT THE TIME, TOOK THE IMAGE OF HER FRIEND MARIBEL, LATER SHE (ARLENE)
WAS ASKED TO WORK ON THIS NATIONAL PROJECT WHERE SHE SUBMITTED THE PHOTO, AND THE REST IS HERSTORY.
MARIBEL GONZALEZ IS THE WOMAN WHOSE IMAGE IS NOW PART OF A HISTORIC MOVEMENT. SHE IS A TEXAN, A SAN ANTONIO NATIVE, PROUD
XICANA, INDIGENA, MEXICAN-AMERICAN, EDUCATOR, MENTOR AND NEW MOMMY, GONZALEZ REPRESENTS US ALL. HER IMAGE CLAIMED OUR
SPACE IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION.
FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH WE WANT TO NOT ONLY HONOR THE GREAT MUJERES OF TEXAS THAT HAVE PAVED THE WAY, BUT ALSO
CELEBRATE THOSE YOUNG WOMEN, LIKE MARIBEL, THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING BARRIERS AND BLAZING NEW
TRAILS. OUR PAGES ARE DEDICATED TO THE NEXT WAVE...
*in an effort to not sound repetitive in our writing; please note all the women featured in the edition are Mexicana/ Mexican-American Tejana,
unless otherwise stated.
ORIGINAL PHOTO OF MARIBEL GONZALEZ BY
PHOTOGRAPHER: ARLENE MEJORADO
DEFEND DIGNITY PRINT BY SHEPARD FAIREY
PARK CITY, UTAH. / AFP PHOTO / ANGELA
WEISS/GETTY IMAGES

LUPE
VALDEZ
TEXAS HERSTORY
MAKER
"OPPORTUNITIES IN TEXAS
OUGHT TO BE AS BIG AS THIS
GREAT STATE. FOR FAR TOO
LONG, HARDWORKING TEXANS
HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND, KEPT
OUT, AND ATTACKED FOR WHO
THEY ARE, WHERE THEY ARE
FROM, AND WHO THEY LOVE."
LUPE VALDEZ 2017

LUPE VALDEZ OWNS TWO PLACES IN TEXAS HISTORY, SHE KICKED DOWN THE DOOR OF THE "GOOD OL' BOYS
CLUB" AND BECAME THE FIRST LATINA TO BE ELECTED SHERIFF IN TEXAS (DALLAS COUNTY). WITH VALDEZ NOW
LEADING, SHE WAS ABLE TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE DEPARTMENT, STARTING WITH HIRING A DIVERSE STAFF. SHE
FACED CONSTANT ATTACKS IN THE MEDIA FOR HER SEXUALITY AS AN OUT LESBIAN SHERIFF, ATTACKS FOR
ALLOWING OFFICERS TO OBSERVE RELIGIOUS DAYS LIKE RAMADAN, SHE ALSO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR FEMALE
MUSLIM OFFICERS TO WEAR A HIJAB .
AFTER SERVING IN UNIFORM FOR OVER A DECADE, VALDEZ MADE
A BOLD STANCE AGAINST TEXAS GOVERNOR, GREG ABBOTT; SHE
WAS ONE OF THE HANDFUL OF TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS WHO ACTIVELY FOUGHT THE RACIST SB4 BILL, OFTEN
SHOWING UP TO COURT IN UNIFORM. THE GOVERNOR EVEN
ISSUED HER A LETTER DEMANDING SHE COMPLY,
"DEAR SHERIFF VALDEZ: "SANCTUARY CITY" POLICIES LIKE
THOSE PROMOTED BY YOUR RECENT DECISION TO IMPLEMENT
YOUR OWN CASE-BY-CASE IMMIGRANT DETENTION PLAN WILL NO
LONGER BE TOLERATED IN TEXAS.YOUR DECISION TO NOT FULLY
HONOR U.S. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT'S (ICE)
REQUESTS TO DETAIN CRIMINAL IMMIGRANTS POSES A SERIOUS
DANGER TO TEXANS." - GOVERNOR ABBOTT LETTER TO SHERIFF
VALDEZ, OCTOBER 2015
NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED AND DECIDED TO RUN FOR
GOVERNOR.
DURING THE 2017 - 2018 MIDTERM PRIMARY, VALDEZ
BROKE THE POLITICAL GLASS CEILING, BECOMING THE
VERY FIRST LATINA AND THE FIRST LGBTQ PERSON – OF
EITHER POLITICAL PARTY – TO WIN THE NOMINATION FOR
GOVERNOR, BEATING OUT THE 7 OTHER MEN IN HER
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.
AGAINST THE ODDS, UNDER CONSTANT CRITICISM AND
MEDIA BIAS COVERAGE, VALDEZ STILL CAME ALMOST
WITHIN A 10-POINT MARGIN, WHICH WAS MUCH CLOSER
THAN SENATOR WENDY DAVIS' 2014 GUBERNATORIAL
RACE.
AS A NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS EMERGE, LATINAS
NOW HAVE A NAME TO ADD TO OUR GREAT TEXAS
WOMEN'S HISTORY...LUPE VALDEZ.

IRMA RANGEL
FIRST LATINA OF THE
THE
LEGISLATURE
TEXAS
B. KINGSVILLE, TX - 1931
D. AUSTIN, TX - 2003

LEGISLATURE
TEXAS
LGBTQ CAUCUS
FIRST
2019
PHOTO CREDIT: TWITTER
FOUNDING MEMBERS INCLUDE 3 LATINAS:
REP. MARY GONZÁLEZ - CHAIRWOMAN
REP. CELIA ISRAEL
REP. JESSICA GONZÁLEZ
@TxLGBTQcaucus

HIDALGO
LINA
COUNTY JUDGE
HARRIS
LINA HIDALGO ROCKED HOUSTON'S POLITICAL
LANDSCAPE THIS PAST NOVEMBER, WHEN SHE
SMASHED THE GLASS CEILING, BECOMING THE FIRST
LATINA AND FIRST WOMAN TO BE ELECTED COUNTY
JUDGE OF THE NATION'S 3RD LARGEST COUNTY AND
THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS, HARRIS COUNTY.
JUDGE LINA HIDALGO WAS BORN IN COLOMBIA AND
PARTLY RAISED IN PERU AND MEXICO. WHEN SHE
WAS 14 YEARS OLD HER FAMILY IMMIGRATED TO THE
UNITED STATES AND MADE TEXAS HOME. THROUGH
HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE, LINA GRADUATED
FROM STANFORD, WITH HONORS. AFTER STUDYING
GOVERNMENT BOTH HERE AND ABROAD, LINA
RETURNED HOME AND BEGAN TO VOLUNTEER FOR
THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT.
ON THE HEELS OF THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
- AND WITH HER FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW
POLITICAL DEVASTATION CAN HAPPEN - LINA
DECIDED TO RUN; YOU CAN NOW ADDRESS HER AS
JUDGE HIDALGO.
HER ELECTION NOT ONLY MARKS A FIRST FOR
WOMEN AND LATINAS BUT ALSO EXPANDS THE
SPACE LATINAS HOLD IN POLITICS TO INCLUDE NEW
VOICES.
NOW LEADING ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST AND
MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES, IT IS EXCITING TO SEE
THE NAME "JUDGE LINA HIDALGO" AT THE TOP.
THE FUTURE IS LATINA AND THE FUTURE HAS
ARRIVED!
@Lina4HC

LATINITAS IS DEDICATED TO
EMPOWERING GIRLS TO
INNOVATE THROUGH MEDIA
AND TECHNOLOGY,
PROVIDING DIRECT DIGITAL
MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
TRAINING AND ESTEEM-
BOOSTING SERVICES TO
NEARLY 3,000 GIRLS AND
TEENS ACROSS TEXAS
ANNUALLY.
FOR MORE INFO
LATINITASMAGAZINE.ORG

STEPHANIE
ALMA
TAPIA
SUSANA
TAPIA-HARPER
COLOMBIANA-ARGENTINA, IDENTICAL TWIN SISTERS - ALMA AND SUSANA - WERE BORN AND RAISED IN EL PASO, TEXAS.
LIKE MANY OF US IN TEXAS, THE SISTERS ARE FIRST GENERATION AND UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS TO
TAPIA
NAVIGATE THE WORLD AS THE 'FIRST ONE' TO WALK AN UNPAVED PATH, OFTEN ENCOUNTERING ADDITIONAL
HARDSHIPS AND OBSTACLES, BUT NEVER GIVING UP. WITH THE LOVE, SACRIFICE AND SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILY, THE
SISTERS SET OUT ON THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL PATH TO BECOME ENGINEERS AND ACHIEVE THEIR DREAM; THEY NOW
HAVE CALLED NASA THEIR HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME, FOR OVER A DECADE.
ALMA STEPHANIE (UTEP ALUMNA) THE "MATERIAL GIRL" IS A MATERIALS ENGINEER AT THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER IN
HOUSTON. NOT ONLY DOES SHE GET TO WORK WITH THE ACTUAL MATERIALS THAT COME TOGETHER AS PART OF
BIGGER PROJECT BUT SHE ALSO HAS THE TASK OF INVESTIGATING THE MATERIALS THAT WILL KEEP PEOPLE SAFE,
WHETHER A SPACE SUIT OR SPACE VEHICLE.
SUSANA (NMSU ALUMNA) IS A CHEMICAL
ENGINEER AND THE
STANDARD TEST MANAGER AT THE WHITE
SANDS TEST FACILITY IN NEW MEXICO.
SHE GETS TO WORK ON TESTING THE
MATERIALS FOR IGNITABILITY AND
FLAMMABILITY TO ENSURE THAT (IN BASIC
TERMS) NOTHING BLOWS UP OR WILL
POSSIBLY BLOW UP AND IF SO, FOR HOW
LONG WILL IT BURN. THE FACILITY TEST
ANYTHING THAT WILL BE SENT UP, TO
ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR
ASTRONAUTS AND THEIR SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT.
ALMA STEPHANIE
AS LATINAS CONTINUE TO BREAK
BARRIERS IN THE S.T.E.M. FIELDS; THE
ENGINEER DUO CONTINUE TO BE
ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH DIFFERENT
GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO
PROMOTE LATINAS IN S.T.E.M. (SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH)
LIKE 'TECHNOLOCHICAS' HOPING TO
INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF
LATINAS, TO CONTINUE TO DREAM BIG,
THAT ANYTHING IS WITHIN THE REALM
OF POSSIBILITY AND NOTHING IS OUT OF
REACH, NOT EVEN THE STARS.
PHOTO CREDIT: TECHNOLOCHICAS
SUSANA

VIKKI
CARR
BORN FLORENCIA BISENTA DE CASILLAS-
MARTINEZ CARDONA, VIKKI CARR WAS
BORN IN EL PASO, TEXAS, RAISED IN
CALIFORNIA AND IS A LONGTIME SAN
ANTONIO RESIDENT. CARR IS ONE OF
THE MOST FAMOUS SINGERS IN THE
WORLD, SHE IS ONE OF THE FIRST
LATINAS TO HAVE SANG IN BOTH
ENGLISH AND SPANISH MARKETS,
PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE ARTISTS.
FOUR GRAMMY AWARDS INCLUDING A
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
HAS PERFORMED FOR THE QUEEN OF
ENGLAND AND FIVE UNITED STATES
PRESIDENTS
2011 CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC
CAUCUS INSTITUTE MEDALLION OF
EXCELLENCE
1981 STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK
OF FAME
2018 INDUCTED INTO THE TEXAS
WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME
PHOTO: WWW.VIKKICARR.COM

ROSIE
FLORES
FIRST LATINA COUNTRY
ARTIST TO ENTER THE
BILLBOARD COUNTRY
CHARTS
"TOP 75 GREATEST
FEMALE GUITARISTS OF
ALL TIME" BY VENUSZINE
TEXAS LEGENDARY
SONGWRITER AWARD
TEXAS MUSIC
HALL OF FAME
@TheRosieFlores
photo: Rosie Flores Facebook page

JENNIFER
DEGOLLADO
@JenniferDegolladoOficial
REPRESENTING THE RGV, MEET THE
NEXT GENERATION OF A LEGACY,
JENNIFER DEGOLLADO. HER FATHER
AND TÍO FOUNDED, 'GROUPO
CONTROL' - A SKILLED
ACCORDIANIST, JENNIFER BECAME
AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE BAND
IN 2009, BECOMING THE ONLY
FEMALE AND YOUNGEST MEMBER IN
THE GROUP.
THE TEJANO / NORTENO / CUMBIA
MUSIC GENRES ARE STILL HEAVILY A
MALE DOMINATED FIELD AND THE
ACCORDION IS A PRESTIGIOUS PART
OF THE GROUP ENSEMBLE YET
DEGOLLADO HAS NOT ONLY EARNED
HER PLACE ALONGSIDE THE MEN
BUT HAS ALSO BROUGHT HER OWN
FRESH YOUNG VIBE TO TRADITIONAL
MUSIC. HER TALENT IS UNDENIABLE,
IT IS NO WONDER SHE HAS BEEN
DUBBED "REINA DEL ACCORDEÓN"
photo: facebook.com/JenniferDegolladoOficial
NOT ONLY A SKILLED
ACCORDION PLAYER, BUT ALSO A
SONGWRITER, GUITAR PLAYER,
KEYBOARD PLAYER AND SINGER.
JENNIFER HAS RELEASED HER FIRST
SOLO ALBUM AND HAS ALSO
RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM
COLLEGE. THERE IS NO DOUBT,
DEGOLLADO IS DESTINED FOR
GREATNESS.

VALERIE PONZIO
VALERIE "VAL" PONZIO TEXAS
NATIVE, BORN AND RAISED IN EL
PASO, CAPTURED HEARTS ON
SEASON 12 OF THE VOICE.
FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL
COMPETITION, VALERIE HAS BEEN
SHINING THE LIGHT ON THE NEXT
WAVE OF LATINAS IN COUNTRY
MUSIC.
ALREADY HAVING RELEASED
SINGLES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH,
HER DEBUT ALBUM, TIMELESS,
CARRIES THE TITLE TRACK IN BOTH
LANGUAGES AND EVEN MADE
THE 'LATIN DIVAS' SPOTIFY
PLAYLIST.
PONZIO RECENTLY RELOCATED TO
NASHVILLE AND WHEN NOT TOURING,
SHE OFTEN RETURNS HOME,
BRINGING HER FANS WITH HER, TO
EXPLORE EL PASO THROUGH HER
EYES.
WITH DEEP FELT LYRICS LIKE
"PROUD OF DESERT DIRT I'M
FROM...EVEN THOUGH I CAN'T
CHANGE RIVERS AND WHERE THEY
RUN" (FROM HER SINGLE, "MY
AMERICA") LEND POWERFUL
IMAGERY TO EXPERIENCE ANOTHER
LENSE OF WHAT IT IS TO BE LATINA
IN TEXAS, SPECIFICALLY FROM THE
BORDERLAND.
VALERIE'S STORYTELLING AND HER
SOUND, MAKE HER VOICE A
REFRESHING STAND OUT AMONG
OTHERT NASHVILLE ARTIST.
photo: facebook.com/ValeriePonzio
@ValeriePonzio
@ValeriePonzio

SNOW...IS FIRE! (CLAUDIA ALEXANDRA FELICIANO) ONE OF
THE BADDEST IN THE GAME. BORN IN CALI AND LATER
MOVED TO TEXAS - WHERE SHE STILL MAINTAINS A
RESIDENCE AND WHERE HER FAMILY LIVES - HAS BEEN
GRINDING, TOURING AND PERFECTING HER CRAFT OVER
THE YEARS. A BRILLIANT LYRICAL PRODIGY, SNOW CAN
SPIT RHYMES AND WRITES HER OWN LYRICS. EVEN THE
G.O.A.T. HERSELF - MISSY ELLIOT - HAS TAKEN NOTICE.
WHEN NOT ON TOUR, SNOW IS WORKING ON OTHER
PROJECTS, YOU CAN CATCH HER ON USA'S BIG HIT, QUEEN
OF THE SOUTH; SHE WAS ALSO A FEATURED MC ON
"IMMIGRANTS (WE GET THE JOB DONE)" FROM THE
HAMILTON MIXTAPE. SNOW'S LATEST SINGLE - BILINGÜE -
JUST DROPPED AND IS ALREADY CLIMBING THE APPLE
MUSIC LATINO CHARTS.
A TRULY GIFTED RAPPER, SHE HAS CAPTIVATED
AUDIENCES AROUND THE GLOBE AND WHAT IS MOST
IMPRESSIVE IS THAT SHE IS AN OUTLIER, BUILDING HER
CAREER WITH JUST HARD WORK, TALENT, HER TRIBE AND
HER FANS. SNOW IS ONE OF THE MOST AUTHENTIC ARTIST
OUT THERE, SHARING HER LIFE WITH US, THE JOYS AND
SORROWS, LET DOWNS AND GLOW UPS...AND THE MOCK
BONGS, HER 'EVERYDAY DAYS'...AND WE'RE HERE FOR IT!
TEXAS MAY HAVE WARM WINTERS, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE,
WE LOVE OUR "SNOW."
@SnowThaProduct
@SnowThaProduct
THA PRODUCT
PHOTO CREDIT: SNOW THA PRODUCT FACEBOOK
SNOW

OLYMPIAN
MARLEN ESPARZA
GAMES - TEAM U.S.A.
2012
THE HOUSTON NATIVE BECOME THE
FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO QUALIFY
FOR THE 2012 OLYMPICS IN BOXING,
WHICH WAS THE HISTORY-MAKING YEAR
THAT THE WOMEN'S SPORT WAS ADDED
TO THE GAMES. MARLEN WON A MEDAL
AT THOSE GAMES, MAKING HER THE
VERY FIRST BRONZE MEDALIST IN THE
HISTORY OF WOMEN'S OLYMPIC BOXING.
ESPARZA MADE HERSTORY A SECOND
TIME, BECOMING THE FIRST FEMALE
FIGHTER SIGNED BY GOLDEN BOY
BOXING.
@Marlen_Esparza
@Marlen112Boxing

OLYMPIAN
MÓNICA GONZÁLEZ
GAMES - TEAM MÉXICO
2004
BORN IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX THEN LATER MOVED
TO PLANO, TX (NEAR DALLAS) MÓNICA "GONZO"
GONZÁLEZ WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE
MEXICAN WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM IN 1998 AND
WAS PART OF THE HERSTORIC MUJERES "LAS TRI"
1999 WORLD CUP DEBUT TEAM.
MÓNICA IS NOW A SOCCER ANALYST AND SIDELINE
REPORTER AT ESPN. GONZÁLEZ IS ALSO THE
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GONZO
SOCCER, A FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO BRINGING
THE SPORT TO YOUNG GIRLS AROUND THE GLOBE.
GONZO SOCCER HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED 5
ACADEMIES IN COLOMBIA, 3 IN MEXICO AND 4 HERE
IN THE STATES, 3 OF WHICH ARE LOCATED IN
TEXAS: DEL RIO, HOUSTON AND AUSTIN.
SHE THEN SERVED AS THE CAPTAIN FOR THE
MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM THAT MADE ITS
HISTORIC APPEARANCE AT THE 2004 ATHENS
OLYMPIC GAMES.
@MonicaGonzo

KARINA
GONZÁLEZ
LARGEST COMPANY IN
4TH
NATION
THE
FIRST
LATINA
PRINCIPAL
DANCER
@KarinaGonzalezEdwards
WITH THE HOUSTON BALLET
KARINA GONZÁLEZ IS A NATIVE OF CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND A SILVER MEDAL WINNER OF THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL
BALLET COMPETITION IN 2007. SHE TRAINED AT THE GUSTAVO FRANKLIN BALLET SCHOOL IN CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND HAS
DANCED PROFESSIONALLY WITH BALLET NATIONAL OF CARACAS AND TULSA BALLET, WHERE SHE REACHED THE RANK OF
PRINCIPAL IN 2007. MS. GONZÁLEZ JOINED HOUSTON BALLET AS A SOLOIST IN 2010, AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL
DANCER IN 2013.
PHOTO: AMITAVA SARKAR

photo: Instagram @gio.dizurita | Photographer: Margizasa Photography Instagram @margizasaphotography
i
GIO
GIOVANNA DiZURITA IS LEADING THE NEXT
WAVE OF LATINA ARTIST IN TEXAS. ONE
ONLY NEEDS TO GLANCE AT HER WORK TO
FEEL ITS MAGIC DRAW YOU IN.
A TRULY GIFTED ARTIST, DiZURITA HAS ALREADY BECOME AN INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED NAME
AND HER ART HAS BEEN SOUGHT AFTER FOR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AROUND THE GLOBE, INCLUDING
FAMOUS COLLECTORS LIKE ROCK ICON, STEVEN TYLER. RECENTLY GIO LAUNCHED HER OWN
PRODUCT LINE, WHICH HAS ALREADY WON 'BRAND OF THE YEAR' IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR. WE ARE
EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO WATCH GIOVANNA'S STAR RISE AND PROUD TO HAVE HER REPRESENTING
TEXAS.
D ZURITA
@gio.dizurita

MEGAN MARTINEZ: QUEEN OF COSMETICS
LEADING THE NEXT WAVE IN COSMETICS IS TEXAN MEGAN MARTINEZ,
FROM CORPUS CHRISTI. TO SAY SHE IS JUST AN 'MUA' WOULD BE AN
UNDERSTATEMENT. MARTINEZ, FOUNDER OF 'CHAOS MAKEUP' IS
COMPLETELY SELF-TAUGHT; A MASTER IN THE ART OF MAKEUP AND THE
SCIENCE OF COLOR CHEMISTRY, MAKE HER CREATIONS TRULY MAGIC.
MEGAN'S SUCCESS STORY IS A SURVIVAL STORY. AS A TEENAGER, WHEN
MOST KIDS ARE WORRYING ABOUT PROM AND WHAT TO WEAR, MARTINEZ
WAS WORRYING ABOUT HER NEXT MEAL AND WHERE SHE AND HER
FAMILY WOULD LIVE. WHILE STRUGGLING WITH TWO JOBS AND GOING TO
SCHOOL, SHE MADE THE CHOICE TO SURVIVE AND SO RIGHT AFTER SHE
TURNED 18, SHE DROPPED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. TO BE SO YOUNG AND
NOW BE FACING THE WORLD ON YOUR OWN, COULD HAVE BEEN THE END
OF HER STORY, BUT IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING.
MAKEUP BECAME A CREATIVE OUTLET AND AS SHE DID MAKEUP FOR HER
FRIENDS, THERE BEGAN TO BE A BUZZ. WITH THE POWER OF MYSPACE
HER POPULARITY BEGAN TO GROW AND SO DID HER BOOKINGS. MAKEUP
SAVED HER LIFE.
PHOTOS FROM CHAOS MAKEUP INSTAGRAM PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHER: KHALED YASEN
CARDI B WEARING 'AQUA SKY'
IMAGE: TWITTER

MEGAN MARTINEZ: QUEEN OF COSMETICS
A NATURAL INNOVATOR, MARTINEZ SHE HAS BEEN CREATING NEW LOOKS LONG
BEFORE THEY WERE TRENDING. WHEN COLORS THAT SHE WANTED WEREN'T FOUND ON
THE SHELVES, SHE LITERALLY TAUGHT HERSELF CHEMISTRY AND MADE THEM. THIS
WOULD BE THE START OF CHAOS MAKEUP. OVER THE YEARS SHE HAS BEEN
PERFECTING THE SCIENCE OF COLORS AND EFFECTS. KEEPING HER TALENT IN CORPUS
CHRISTI AND NOT RELOCATING MEANS THAT SHE HAS HAD TO BUILD HER OWN LABS
AND MAKE EACH PRODUCT HERSELF, BY HAND.
NOW TEN YEARS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AND WITH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF A COUPLE
OF HER CLOSEST FRIENDS, MEGAN IS ON HER WAY TO BECOMING THE NEXT MAKEUP
MOGUL. ALREADY HAVING BEEN AN ESTABLISHED MUA, NOW HER CUSTOM FORMULA
AND LINE OF HIGHLIGHTERS AND MULTICHROME SHADES HAVE TAKEN THE WORLD BY
STORM. SHE HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED BY ALL THE TOP MAGAZINES AND WITH CELEBS
LIKE CARDI B SPORTING HER SHADES, THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
ONE THE THING IS CERTAIN, THE AQUA SKY'S THE LIMIT.
MARTINEZ HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY,
STATE OF TEXAS AND U.S. CONGRESS, FOR
HER SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY. NOT ONLY
IS SHE A LEADING LATINA IN THE WORLD OF
COSMETICS, BUT MEGAN IS AN AVID
HUMANITARIAN WITH A FOCUS ON ANIMAL
RESCUES AND AIDING THE HOMELESS.
MARTINEZ'S PERSONAL JOURNEY IS AN
INCREDIBLE STORY OF OVERCOMING
ADVERSITY AND PERSEVERANCE, MEGAN'S
RISE TO SUCCESS HAS TAUGHT US ALL TO
NEVER GIVE UP OR GIVE IN, ALWAYS
CONTINUE TO BELIEVE.
MEGAN MARTINEZ, OUR TEXAS QUEEN OF
COSMETICS WITH A HEART
OF SPARKLING MULTICHROME, GOLD.
PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM DELGADILLO PHOTOGRAPHY

LATINAS SELECTED
FIRST
STATE POET LAUREATE
TEXAS
photo: social media
photo: carmentafolla.com
NOBLEZA MAGAZINE
2013
SAN ANTONIO
2015
SAN ANTONIO
ROSEMARY CATACALOS
CARMEN TAFOLLA

FILM
CRISTINA IBARRA, UT AUSTIN ALUM, IS A FILMMAKER FROM EL PASO, TX
A R R A B I
WHO CO-DIRECTED AND CO-WROTE THE INFILTRATORS WHICH WON THE
'NEXT INNOVATOR' AND THE 'AUDIENCE' AWARD AT SUNDANCE THIS YEAR.
THE INFILTRATORS HAS BEEN GROUNDBREAKING, TACKLING THE
CURRENT NATIONAL CONVERSATION REGARDING ICE AND DETENTION
CENTERS. THE FILM IS BASED ON TRUTH FOLLOWING ACTUAL PEOPLE
THAT HAVE BEEN DETAINED AND THEN ABLE TO REPORT FROM THE INSIDE
IN ORDER TO SHOW THE REALITY OF HOW THEY ARE BEING TREATED AS
TOLD BY ACTUAL DETAINEES.
IBARRA HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL EYE-OPENING DOCUMENTARIES OVER
THE LAST 16 YEARS, INCLUDING LAS MARTHAS AND THE LAST
CONQUISTADOR. HER NARRATIVES SHED LIGHT ON LIFE BETWEEN THE
TWO WORLDS OF UNITED STATES AND BEING LATINX.
UT AUSTIN ALUM, SUZANNE ANDREWS CORREA, IS A FILMMAKER FROM
C O R R E A
DALLAS AND IS ONE OF THE LATINX FILMMAKERS TO SHOWCASE AT THE
FESTIVAL THIS YEAR. GREEN WHICH WAS DIRECTED AND CO-WRITTEN
BY CORREA, IS A STORY ABOUT "AN UNDOCUMENTED TURKISH PEDICAB
DRIVER UNWITTINGLY DRAWS POLICE ATTENTION, ENDANGERING HIS
BROTHER, HIS COMMUNITY, AND HIMSELF,” WON SHORT FILM JURY
AWARD.
IN ADDITION TO HER SUNDANCE WIN, SUZANNE WROTE AND DIRECTED
THE SHORT FILM LA CASA DE BEATRIZ WHICH IS CURRENTLY SHOWING
ON HBO.
CORREA WAS SELECTED IN 2018 FOR THE SUNDANCE SCREENWRITING
LAB TO DEVELOP HER DIRECTOR DEBUT FEATURE FILM, WRITTEN BY
HER AS WELL, LA CAZADORA (THE HUNTRESS) A FEMALE
EMPOWERMENT FILM WHICH TAKES PLACE IN JUAREZ, MEXICO AND
SHINES A LIGHT ON THE ONGOING CONVERSATION OF "LAS
DESAPARECIDAS" (THE MISSING WOMEN) OF CIUDAD JUAREZ.

GABY NATALE
GABY NATALE IS OUR REINING LATINA OF
DAYTIME FROM DALLAS. ARGENTINA-
ITALIANA, AMERICANA, THE 'SUPER LATINA'
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND HOST, HAS
PAVED HER OWN PATH IN DAYTIME TV.
WHAT BEGAN AS A DREAM LONG AGO IN
WEST TEXAS, HAS NOW COME FULL CIRCLE;
NATALE IS NOT ONLY A THREE-TIME
DAYTIME AWARD WINNER BUT ALSO MADE
HISTORY IN 2017 BECOMING THE FIRST AND
ONLY TV HOST TO RECEIVE THE DAYTIME
EMMY FOR OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALENT
IN A SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR
SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. BREAKING
BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AND
BEHIND THE SCENES, SHE IS ONE OF THE
FEW WOMEN IN MEDIA WHO OWNS ALL THE
RIGHTS TO HER SHOW AND TV STUDIO.
WITH THE LAUNCH OF HER FIRST BOOK,
“EL CÍRCULO VIRTUOSO” - WHICH DEBUTED
AT #1 - NATALE CAN NOW ADD 'BEST
SELLING AUTHOR' TO HER REPERTOIRE.
DAYTIME EMMY WINNER, EXECUTIVE
PRODUCER, HOST, ENTREPRENEUR, AND
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR; GABY NATALE IS
UNDENIABLY A 'SUPER LATINA.'
photo: PRNews/AGANAR Media
@GabyNatale
@GabyNatale

KRISTINA
CARRILLO-BUCARAM
@FullyRawKristina
HOUSTON NATIVE, KRISTINA CARRILLO-
BUCARAM, IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE
RAW VEGAN COMMUNITY AS "FULLY RAW
KRISTINA."
IN 2007 SHE FOUNDED 'RAWFULLY ORGANIC'
AND WHAT BEGAN AS A PROJECT OUT OF
HER LIVING ROOM, GREW TO BECOME THE
LARGEST RAW ORGANIC PRODUCE CO-OP IN
THE UNITED STATES, PROVIDING
AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY RAW PRODUCE TO
THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS ACROSS THE
HOUSTON AREA WEEKLY.
A PROUD ECUADORIAN/LEBANESE LATINA,
SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR, SOCIAL MEDIA
INFLUENCER, ENTREPRENEUR; FULLY RAW
KRISTINA HAS SHARED HER JOURNEY TO
BETTER HEALTH VIA A RAW VEGAN DIET
WITH MILLIONS OF VIEWERS ACROSS HER
CHANNELS.
MOST RECENTLY, SHE HAS LAUNCHED
'FULLY RAW RETREATS' TO INCLUDE YOGA,
MEDIATION, NATURE, HEALING, EDUCATION,
ETC., ALONG WITH THE RAW AND VEGAN
DIET, IN ORDER TO GIVE A DEEP NEXT LEVEL
HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPERIENCE TO
PARTICIPANTS.
PHOTO: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FULLYRAWKRISTINA
PHOTOGRAPHER: SOFIA VAN DER DYS PHOTOGRAPHY
ALTHOUGH SHE NOW TRAVELS THE GLOBE
SHARING HER LIGHT, WE ARE SO PROUD TO
KNOW THAT TEXAS IS HOME.

REBEL
@RebelMariposa
MARIPOSA
SAN ANTONIO NATIVE REBECA LOPEZ KNOWN
SIMPLY AS 'REBEL MARIPOSA' IS FOUNDER, AND
OWNER OF 'LA BOTÁNICA' WHICH HAS THE DISTINCT
HONOR OF BEING THE FIRST VEGAN RESTAURANT
WITH A FULL BAR, IN TEXAS.
REBEL (AND COMPANY) HAVE CREATED SOMETHING
UNIQUELY SPECIAL AT LA BOTÁNICA. WALKING IN,
YOU INSTANTLY FEEL A WARMTH ABOUT IT, THEY
SERVE A DECOLONIZED PLANT BASED MENU AND
CUSTOM VEGAN DRINKS; FROM THE FOOD TO THE
DECOR, EVERYTHING ABOUT IT SPEAKS TO HEALING
THROUGH OUR INDIGENOUS, ANCESTRAL ROOTS.
NOT ONLY A RESTAURANT AND BAR, BUT ALSO A
QUEER COMMUNITY SPACE, AND ON SOME NIGHTS,
AN ART GALLERY. A PLACE WHERE MIND, BODY AND
SPIRIT COEXIST WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF EATING.
REBEL MARIPOSA MIGHT HAVE NOT KNOWN WHAT
WAS WAITING FOR HER WHEN SHE STARTED THIS
JOURNEY, BUT IN JUST A SHORT TIME LA BOTÁNICA
HAS POSITIONED ITSELF AS A SAN ANTONIO
FAVORITE AND ALSO A LEADER IN TEXAS.
PEOPLE MAY THINK TEXAS IS ALL STEAKS AND
CATTLE, BUT THE FUTURE OF THE STATE WILL
LIKELY FOLLOW THE FLIGHT OF THE REBEL
MARIPOSA.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED BY REBEL MARIPOSA | CREDIT: SPARX PHOTOGRAPHY

A M E S B E A R D A W A R D
J
E M I - F I N A L I S T
S
E S T C H E F
B
O U T H W E S T
S
photo: facebook.com/yuyoaustin
M A R I B E L
"My all-time favorite thing
to make is Bolivian
salteña. It’s the best
empanada in the world
and worth all the effort.
I’m half Bolivian, so by
making these pastries, I
feel I keep the connection
with my roots alive."
— Maribel Rivero
Executive Chef
ATXWoman.com interview
2018
R I V E R O
Y U Y O - A U S T I N , T X

A M E S B E A R D A W A R D
J
E M I - F I N A L I S T
S
E S T C H E F
B
O U T H W E S T
S
de la
ILIANA
VEGA
photo: facebook.com/elnaranjoatx
“If you talk to me about
authenticity, I don’t know
what you mean. If you
say tradition, then I’m
with you.”
— Iliana de la Vega
Co-owner and Head Chef
E L N A R A N J O - A U S T I N , T X

2019
AUSTIN, TX
APRIL 26 - 28

NOBLEZA
MAGAZINE
NOBLEZAMAGAZINE.COM
@NOBLEZAMAGAZINE
@NOBLEZAMAGAZINE