University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

CSUN Dean to Chair National Hispanic Women’s Conference

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., April 26, 2007) — Helen M. Castillo, dean of Cal State Northridge’s College of Health and Human Development, is chairing the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation’s National Hispanic Women’s Conference scheduled to begin tomorrow in Pasadena.

The conference, one of the first large-scale conferences of its kind, began 31 years ago and has grown from 50 to nearly 3,000 participants. The conference was formed to create career opportunities for Hispanic women and bring greater awareness to the talent pool available in the Latino community.

"This is a unique conference for high school and college students to learn first hand about professional opportunities," Castillo said. "They interact with Latina leaders, educators and role models from Los Angeles and across the country."

Castillo was elected to the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation’s board in 2002. The foundation, founded in 1962 and a United Way member since 1970, provides educational and charitable assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged people from all social backgrounds. The foundation provides a variety of services, including Head Start, English-as-a-second language classes and senior job training.

The conference, which is taking place at the Pasadena Convention Center, will feature a keynote address by attorney Margarita Zavala Calderón, wife of Mexico President Felipe Calderón. Several Northridge faculty and students are hosting workshops at the conference.