Eva’s Empire: Eva Longoria Launches Another Foundation

How to describe Eva Longoria? Well, she is most famous for playing Gabrielle Solis on the just-ended ABC series Desperate Housewives. However, the Texas-born beauty (and ninth-generation Tejana to boot – see this link from the PBS Documentary Faces of America to find out more about her family’s fascinating history) is also a model, chef, author, restaurant owner, philanthropist, community activist, student, and spokesperson.

Eva’s history and work in the community makes her one of my favorite Latinas – you get what you give!

Eva Longoria is building a virtual empire and is using her platform to give back to her Latino community.

The Eva Longoria Foundation

Recently Eva founded the Eva Longoria Foundation, whose mission is to empower Latinas to reach their potential through education and entrepreneurship.

The Foundation supports programs which help Latinas excel in school and attend college. The organization provides Latina entrepreneurs with career training, mentorship, capital and opportunity.

In her Huffington Post blog, Eva wrote about her vision behind The Eva Longoria Foundation. She wrote that “for women especially, balancing the demands of intertwined cultures can be challenging. In recognition of this, I am creating the Eva Longoria Foundation.” She explained that she was blessed with a solid education and career opportunities although “this path to economic insecurity is currently unattainable for many Latinas.”

As a group, Latinas are disproportionately impoverished and uneducated. 27% live below the poverty line, struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. On average, women make $0.77 for every dollar a white man makes. For Latinas, the disparity is even more severe — they make only $0.54 on the dollar.  (Source: Eva Longoria- HuffPost Article)

Some of Eva’s other projects include:

Eva’s Heros: Eva Longoria’s organization that helps teens and adults aged 14 and up, with intellectual special needs, to integrate and flourish in society.

“I was blessed with a sister who has special needs. Now, I work to impact the lives of similar young adults nationwide.” – Eva Longoria

Eva is on the Commission of the National American Latino Museum- which strives to create a museum in our nation’s capital to educate, inspire and encourage respect and understanding of the richness and diversity of the American Latino experience within the U.S.

“Latinos are woven into the fabric of America and all Americans benefit from a greater understanding of Latino contributions throughout our history.”- Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria is the national spokesperson for PADRES Contra El Cáncer (PADRES)- an organization committed to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and their families.

“I’ve experienced cancer with older relatives and I’ve seen their pain and suffering,” says Longoria. “I can only imagine how hard it must be for a child. Latino families, because of social, economic and cultural barriers don’t always have access to all the resources available. That’s what attracted me to PADRES — together we can break those barriers, so no child or family suffers alone.” – Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria also supports MALDEF, Dolores Huerta Foundation, NCLR, United Farm Workers, Shine Global, J/P Haitian Relief Organization, Rally for Kids, founded The Eva Longoria Fund (ELF) through California Community Foundation and más.

We crown Eva Longoria our charity champion!

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