A group of Latin American women gathered Saturday to discuss the "younger generation."

Many of those women were UA students, looking to their predecessors for guidance.

The League of United Latin American Citizens held its annual National Women's Conference, "Cultural Strengths and Leadership for the Younger Generation," at Pima Community College.

More than 700 Arizonans are members of LULAC, and both of the state's young adults groups (ages 18-24) are at UA. One has been a part of the Hispanic/Chicano Department since 2001, while the other was started only three weeks ago through the UA Nursing Council, said Mary Fimbres, Arizona LULAC director.

The campus groups focus on giving out scholarships, developing mentoring programs and acting as role models for middle and high school students through youth leadership conferences, said Denisse Lowrey, UA's LULAC council secretary. Members said LULAC is needed to help offer support to Hispanics on campus.

"When we go into class, we are one of few minorities," said Anita Coronado, a junior majoring in Spanish and UA's LULAC president. "It feels better once you know those few minorities and have someone to connect with and understand what you are going through."

Coronado also said that it is hard to get Hispanics into clubs on campus because of the conflict with outside jobs and schoolwork, but hopes that LULAC will offer new opportunities to Hispanics.

"LULAC instilled the idea of staying in college," she said, citing inspirational mentors and leadership conferences as factors in helping her graduate in December.

Teri Martinez, an instructor of Spanish and education, volunteers with LULAC about 20 hours a week as an adviser and mentor.

"College students become involved so that they have role models. They go through things we have been through; we can teach them and help," said Martinez, who has been with LULAC for about 20 years. "Education is the key to success, it's important to participate in the empowerment of young people through education."

Saturday's conference provided educational seminars on issues primarily of interest to women, such as "Mentoring Women Leaders for the 21st Century," "The Journey to Latina Empowerment: Civil Rights and Education," and "The Things We Don't Talk About: A Forum on Reproductive Health," said Belen Robles, LULAC national president from 1994-1998 and the only woman ever elected to the position.

Robles said she recommends women join LULAC because of the career opportunities it can bring.

"(LULAC) creates an environment for interchange of ideas and helps to create a network as one builds a career, whether it's working outside the home, or in the not-for-profit arena," she said.

Robles had two small children when she joined the organization in 1957, and said LULAC helped her understand how important it was to make education more accessible for children and women.

"We need a new environment for women to achieve goals, education and careers; this is what LULAC can help do," said Hector M. Flores, national LULAC president.

The organization, which now has more than 110,000 members, was started by a group of Hispanic professionals who, after forming, began looking for grassroots support .

"Although they had the positions, they did not have the respect that an organization could help bring them," Flores said.

Arizona currently has 21 adult, two young adult and four youth (middle and high school students) LULAC councils.

Many of the Arizona councils focus on the treatment of migrant farm workers, health issues, veteran's affairs and civil rights. However, in Tucson the councils often work together on issues dealing with education, employment and the border, she said. Tucson is also involved in many LULAC activities including El Dia de Los Ninos, which is a child's car seat and bike helmet safety fair in May; as well as the Young Reader's Program for first through third graders.

For more information on LULAC, or to join, contact Anita Coronado at 390-1030 or adcorona@email.arizona.edu.