What Does Chingona Mean to You?

While historically used as a derogatory term, nowadays the word chingona has been reclaimed by new generations of mujeres. It’s come to mean empowerment, resilience, strength and a badass spirit.

At the recent Chingona Fest, a social impact music festival that celebrates Latinidad and comunidad, Austin Vida asked attendees: What does Chingona Mean to You? Who is a Chingona in Your Life?

Here are some of the inspiring palabras:

“To me Chingona means being powerful, being poderosa, being courageous and vulnerable all at the same time while still living up to their dreams and their hopes.” – Bessy Martinez, CEO and Founder of Austin Latinas Unidas and The Latina Foundation

@austin_vida

What does Chingona mean to you? Thanks for stopping by @Austin Latinas Unidas

♬ original sound – Austin_Vida

Spotlight on a Chingona

“The one and only, the true Mera Mera Thunder Rosa. You know her from (All Elite Wrestling or AEW). You may know her from Mission Pro Wrestling. She’s a true luchadora, a true Chingona. She just empowers everyone wherever she goes. I love her so much.” – Britt Tovar, Austin Vida reader and sustaining member

@austin_vida

Shout out to the one and only Chingona @Thunder Rosa #ChingonaFest

♬ original sound – Austin_Vida

“I want to give a shout out to Celeste Guzmán Mendoza, a chingona of chingonas. She’s so amazing. She’s an actor, a writer, a poet and an organizer of development for higher education. You can just throw anything at her and she’ll do it and do it well. She’ll have fun with it and motivate the people around her. So ‘Go, Celeste!'” –Liliana Valenzuela, award-winning poet, acclaimed Spanish translator and Austin Vida reader and sustaining member

@austin_vida

Shout out to a friend, Celeste Guzman!

♬ original sound – Austin_Vida