Back in November, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of my grandma’s nonprofit organization, CORDEM.
CORDEM is a foundation dedicated to supporting women who want to continue their education — women who, for economic, social, or cultural reasons, were not given that opportunity earlier in life. For twenty-five years, it has invested in women’s independence, leadership, and long-term transformation through access to education.
As her very proud (and very feminist) granddaughter, she asked me to give a speech at the anniversary celebration. No pressure — just a room of 200+ people and the responsibility of representing my grandma’s life’s work. I was nervous. I wanted to do her justice.
It ended up being one of the moments I’ve felt most proud of. Proud to stand behind her. Proud to stand behind women’s education. Proud to represent my family in that room.
So I wanted to share the speech here, exactly as I gave it that night.
Buenas noches a todos!
Es un honor estar aquí esta noche celebrando los 25 años de CORDEM — veinticinco años de visión, de esfuerzo, y de transformación.
Lo que empezó como un sueño de dar a las mujeres la oportunidad de continuar sus estudios y construir su propio futuro se ha convertido en un movimiento que ha cambiado vidas, familias, comunidades, y generaciones enteras.
Quiero aprovechar este momento para hablar de una historia que, para mí, representa perfectamente el espíritu de CORDEM: la historia de mi abuela.
Ella creció en una época muy distinta, en una familia grande y conservadora, donde las mujeres no tenían acceso a la educación universitaria. Mientras sus hermanos sí pudieron estudiar, a ella no se le dio esa oportunidad.
Pero mi abuela nunca dejó de creer en el valor de la educación. Conservó ese sueño durante años, esperando el momento en que pudiera hacerlo suyo. Y cuando llegó, ya en sus cuarentas, lo tomó con fuerza y lo convirtió en realidad, demostrando que nunca es tarde para crecer, aprender y seguir cumpliendo sueños.
Creo que esa historia refleja exactamente por qué CORDEM existe.
Porque cuando una mujer estudia, no sólo transforma su propia vida, transforma su entorno. La educación da libertad, independencia, y abre puertas que antes parecían imposibles.
Pero también tiene un impacto real, profundo y tangible en el mundo.
Cuando las mujeres tienen acceso a la educación, las familias prosperan: sus hijos e hijas tienen más oportunidades, su salud y bienestar mejora, y sus comunidades se vuelven más estables.
A nivel social y económico, una mujer educada tiene más posibilidades de conseguir empleo, de participar en la toma de decisiones, y de contribuir al crecimiento de su país.
Y a nivel humano, una mujer educada inspira, rompe ciclos de desigualdad, cuestiona lo que parece incuestionable, y demuestra que el conocimiento no solo cambia destinos, sino también mentalidades.
Educar a una mujer no es un acto de caridad; es una inversión en el futuro. Porque cuando las mujeres tienen acceso al conocimiento, los hogares se fortalecen, las comunidades avanzan y las naciones enteras progresan.
Y eso es lo que CORDEM ha demostrado durante estos veinticinco años.
Como alguien que ha tenido el privilegio de recibir una educación, siento una gran responsabilidad de continuar con esa misión: usar lo que he aprendido para levantar la voz, abrir caminos y apoyar a más mujeres a cumplir sus sueños.
Las beneficiarias de CORDEM no son solo estudiantes: son líderes, son pioneras, son el reflejo de lo que pasa cuando se nos da la oportunidad de alcanzar nuestro potencial.
Hoy quiero felicitar a todas las personas que han formado parte de este camino. A las donadoras y donadores, al equipo de CORDEM, a las voluntarias y voluntarios, y, sobre todo, a las mujeres cuya fuerza y determinación nos inspiran día a día.
Y a mi abuela, gracias por abrir el camino para que tantas mujeres podamos soñar en grande y por creer que la educación cambia el mundo.
Por otros 25 años de CORDEM! Por la educación, por la igualdad y por el poder imparable de las mujeres.
Muchas gracias. <3
The original speech was delivered in Spanish. An English translation is included below.
Good evening everyone,
It is an honor to be here tonight celebrating 25 years of CORDEM — twenty-five years of vision, effort, and transformation.
What began as a dream to give women the opportunity to continue their education and build their own futures has become a movement that has changed lives, families, communities, and entire generations.
I want to take this moment to share a story that, to me, perfectly represents the spirit of CORDEM: the story of my grandmother.
She grew up in a very different time, in a large and conservative family, where women did not have access to higher education. While her brothers were able to study, she was not given that same opportunity.
But my grandmother never stopped believing in the value of education. She carried that dream with her for years, waiting for the moment when she could finally make it her own. And when that moment came — already in her forties — she embraced it fully and made it a reality, proving that it is never too late to grow, to learn, and to continue pursuing your dreams.
I believe that story reflects exactly why CORDEM exists.
Because when a woman studies, she doesn’t just transform her own life — she transforms her entire environment. Education brings freedom, independence, and opens doors that once seemed impossible.
But it also has a real, deep, and tangible impact on the world.
When women have access to education, families prosper: their children have more opportunities, their health and well-being improve, and their communities become more stable.
On a social and economic level, an educated woman is more likely to find employment, participate in decision-making, and contribute to her country’s growth.
And on a human level, an educated woman inspires. She breaks cycles of inequality. She questions what once seemed unquestionable. She shows that knowledge doesn’t just change individual destinies — it changes mindsets.
Educating a woman is not an act of charity; it is an investment in the future. Because when women have access to knowledge, homes grow stronger, communities move forward, and entire nations progress.
And that is exactly what CORDEM has demonstrated over these past twenty-five years.
As someone who has had the privilege of receiving an education, I feel a deep responsibility to continue this mission — to use what I have learned to raise my voice, open doors, and support more women in achieving their dreams.
The beneficiaries of CORDEM are not just students — they are leaders. They are pioneers. They are the living proof of what happens when we are given the opportunity to reach our full potential.
Today, I want to congratulate everyone who has been part of this journey: the donors, the CORDEM team, the volunteers, and above all, the women whose strength and determination inspire us every single day.
And to my grandmother — thank you for paving the way so that so many women can dream bigger, and for believing that education changes the world.
Here’s to another 25 years of CORDEM. To education, to equality, and to the unstoppable power of women.
Thank you. <3