In March 2025, Mabel, the ESPERA Program Lead at Mary’s Pence, and Katherine, our Executive Director, traveled to New York to participate in several UN activities to celebrate International Women’s Day and to hold other important meetings and gatherings with Mary’s Pence donors and supporters.
Mabel took the stage at a parallel event during the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York City on March 11. Co-hosted by Mary’s Pence and Loretto at the UN, with generous support from one of our current grantees, Altagracia Faith & Justice Works, the event provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of our ESPERA program and engage in meaningful discussions about the dramatic gender gap present in Central America, including the work done by organizations and women to reach gender equality and economic empowerment with the about 50 people joined us virtually, in addition to 25 people who joined us in New York in person.
The experience was a professional milestone for Mabel as she communicated the realities of rural women in Central America and Mexico to a global audience. Mabel has dedicated over 15 years to international cooperation and social justice in Latin America. With a legal background from the National Autonomous University of Honduras, she has led initiatives focused on women’s political, social, and economic empowerment. Her leadership in the ESPERA program reflects her deep commitment to sustainable change.
“The event, titled ‘Accessing Economic and Civic Power: Women in the Global South,’ allowed us to engage in an intergenerational exchange that raised awareness about the situation of rural women in Central America and Mexico,” Mabel shared. “I’m grateful I got to be the voice of our team and, most importantly, the organizations we work with.”
Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities: The ESPERA Effect
At CSW69, Mabel was able to highlight the uniqueness of ESPERA’s methodology. By sharing the stories of rural women building economic independence through solidarity, Mabel brought attention to the power of locally led solutions. “Many of the people who participated were introduced for the first time to a program that works with grassroots organizations in a region often overlooked in events like these,” she explained. “Their questions showed genuine interest in learning how ESPERA fosters economic empowerment and how they could contribute.”
Mabel shared the inspiring story of Mrs. Santos from Nicaragua, who transformed her living conditions through the ESPERA program, her hard work, and her vision. In 2008, with her first loan of $42, she purchased a pelibuey—a hybrid between a goat and a sheep, commonly raised for meat in the Caribbean due to its fast breeding and suitability for tropical climates. Over time, her dedication allowed her to expand her livestock, and she now owns several cows. With her growing income, she has gained a stronger role in family decision-making and has even employed a few women from her community to assist with small tasks. Unlike many other ESPERA participants and many women in Central America, who rely on multiple economic initiatives to make ends meet, Mrs. Santos has been able to sustain herself solely through raising animals, proving that one opportunity can create lasting change with the right support and determination.
The transformation of the Asociación de Mujeres Emprendedoras por la Justicia de San Rafael Cedros also proves how the ESPERA program not only supports individual women but also strengthens the organizations it partners with. Leaders like Juana and Dora played a crucial role in revitalizing the organization.
When ESPERA first partnered with this small organization in El Salvador, it had only six members. Today, it has grown significantly, thanks in part to ESPERA’s leadership training and support. Through these trainings, the group identified a true leader in Juana, who was once extremely shy but discovered her voice and purpose. Under her leadership, the organization, which was on the brink of disappearing, was saved and expanded.
Strengthening grassroots organizations is a key priority for the ESPERA program. By investing in their growth and development, ESPERA ensures that these organizations can better serve their members, create long-term impact, and continue empowering women in their communities.
An Invaluable Learning Experience
“For Mary’s Pence, it was invaluable to learn more about the United Nations system and how global conferences on women’s issues function,” Mabel noted. “It reaffirmed that our approach—placing decision-making power in the hands of women and focusing on long-term support—is aligned with the strategies of many global organizations. But we also realized how unique ESPERA is because we work alongside women every day, understanding their struggles firsthand.”
“I experienced this as a true challenge—not only in meeting the expectations of the audience and our supporting organizations but also in expressing myself in a way that captured the depth of our work,” she shared. Yet, the experience was overwhelmingly positive. Mabel was moved by the engagement of attendees and the solidarity shown by Mary’s Pence supporters. “One of the most significant moments of this visit was meeting long-time Mary’s Pence donors in person,” she said. “In conversations with them, I could see their deep commitment to social justice and their belief in our work.”
Lasting Impact
Mabel’s participation in CSW69 elevated ESPERA’s visibility and strengthened Mary’s Pence’s connections within the global movement for gender justice. For Mary’s Pence and ESPERA, this experience reinforced the importance of continuing our mission: to support grassroots organizations in building sustainable economic alternatives that put women at the center.
Increased visibility means more opportunities to grow ESPERA but also creates a greater need for resources. Every donation expands the reach of this transformative work, providing more women with access to loans, training, and the support they need to build a better future. With the support of generous donors, ESPERA can continue strengthening communities, ensuring that women have the resources they need to thrive and lead lasting change.