• Listen to this segment

• Listen to the entire program

Nationwide women earn 77 cents on the dollar compared to men, according to recent data collected by the Center for American Progress. Worse still, the gap for women of color is wider with Black women earning 69.5 percent of the earnings of white males and Latina women only 60.5 percent. The Latino population has increased by almost 50 percent over the last decade, making it the largest minority population within the United States, as well as the fastest-growing minority student population within the country’s public school system. In order to reach the Obama administration’s goal of 51 percent of Americans obtaining college degrees by 2020, nearly 5.5 million Latinos will need to graduate from college within the next eight years. However, Latinos fall sharply behind their White and Asian peers with only 21 percent earning associate degrees or higher in 2011, compared to 57 percent of Asians, 44 percent of Whites, and 30 percent of Blacks. In the same year, the drop out rate among Latinos was reported to be a staggering 28 percent.

Historically, Latinas have the highest high school dropout rate compared to any other ethnic group of males or females, within the country. Attempting to raise awareness of the issue and inspire low-income Latina females to stay in school and strive to reach the college level is a conference happening this week in Southern California. The Adelante Mujer Latina Conference will take place on April 21st at Pasadena City College. Sponsored by the Pasadena Youth Center, the Adelante Mujer Latina Conference is the largest college and career conference of Latinas within California. Attendees are encouraged to bring their mothers, friends and/or mentors to partake in the event which offers over 75 interactive workshops for students and guests.

GUEST: Stella Murga, Founder and Executive Director of Pasadena Youth Center

Visit www.pasadenayouthcenter.org for more information.