Se Busca Reporteras: Ta Inequities

By Andrea López

There are over 6,000 journalists in the United States. Of the six thousand, 53.4% are women and of the 54.4 %, a little over 12% are Latinos. Latinx women in newsrooms have always seen a small percentage of representation, with a shocking 3% of representation in newsrooms, according to the NLA. Newsrooms around the country have seen a slow pace and less change.

Latinx women in newsrooms continue to lack representation and the change that needs to be made, is a change that can only be made within the newsrooms.

Rebecca Aguilar recalled being the only Latina woman in a couple of newsrooms. A memory still fresh in her mind.

“Toledo. (Ohio) I was the only Latina. Chicago, pretty sure I was the only Latina there too. I don’t remember, there was another Latina but I’m pretty sure she was Latina. But I think she was ashamed of it or hid it,” said Aguilar.

While working in Chicago, Aguilar was the only bilingual reporter and after moving to Corpus Christi, Texas and later to San Antonio, Texas, Aguilar was once again the only Latina in the newsroom. Locations where the Latinx community is significant.

Aguilar grew up in Ohio and has been a reporter for 40 years, with 28 of those years in television. The reporter also has 50 awards and nominations under her belt and was the first Latina president for the Society of Professional Journalists. To bring diversity, it all starts with change in newsrooms. Aguilar shared three reasons she believes Latinas in newsrooms continue to show a slow pace: