Mujeres en Acción – Women in Action is a ten-year-old non-profit that has built a powerful grassroots movement led by women transforming their communities from the ground up. Through leadership development, mutual support, capacity building, and weekly mentorship meetings, Mujeres en Acción offers a trusted space where women can raise their voices, heal from shared struggles, build collective solutions, and develop the skills and resources needed for economic mobility. The organization seeks to empower women to succeed in everything from obtaining a driver’s license or earning a GED to becoming an entrepreneur or enrolling in higher education. Mujeres en Acción acts as a bridge where participants become leaders and changemakers – sitting at decision-making tables and creating opportunities for women and their families.

When women lead, communities thrive. Mujeres en Acción is rooted in Salinas but serves women and families throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz County. Its founder and executive director is Maria Elena
Manzo. During her time in our area, she has helped to change the lives of thousands. Manzo has been involved in programs such as Esperanza Care, a public health insurance program for low-income undocumented immigrants, and VIDA, a community health worker initiative that aided vulnerable communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. She was also a key intermediary working with Joby Aviation to secure public funding to create 400 jobs in the region. Manzo is also a leader with COPA, an empowerment organization made up of faith communities of which UUCMP is part. Our support for Mujeres en Acción is an investment in dignity, equity, and long-term community transformation.

Please donate to this worthy cause.