Beyond Equality: Systemic Barriers and Equity Solutions for Latina Workers

Author

Leismarie Alicea Estrada, University of Central FloridaFollow

Course Code

LDR

Course Number

3905

Faculty/Instructor

Professor Donna Mercado

About the Author

¡Hola a todos! My name is Leismarie Alicea Estrada, a 22-year-old Latina health sciences student at UCF, fueled by two deep passions: justice for Latina workers and supporting children with autism through ABA therapy.

My fire for labor equity comes from witnessing my mother—a resilient Puerto Rican woman—work exhausting hours across multiple jobs, yet still face systemic barriers. Her sacrifices showed me how gender, ethnicity, and policy gaps collide to exploit women like her. Now, I channel that pain into research exposing these injustices.

Simultaneously, as an aspiring Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I dedicate myself to neurodivergent Latino children—a community often underserved due to language barriers and cultural stigma. My goal is to merge autism advocacy with worker rights, ensuring Latina mothers in my field receive fair pay and dignity.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

This study examines the systemic barriers facing Latina workers in the U.S., with a focus on wage gaps, occupational segregation, and policy failures. Drawing from national datasets (EPI, NWLC). The purpose of the research poster is to explore and depict a picture of how gender, ethnicity, and immigration status compound to exploit Latinas across industries—particularly in domestic work, agriculture, and healthcare.

Keywords

Latina labor, wage gap, occupational segregation, ABA therapy, intersectionality

Recommended Citation

Alicea Estrada, Leismarie, "Beyond Equality: Systemic Barriers and Equity Solutions for Latina Workers" (2025). LEAD Scholars Academy Showcase. 15.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/ulead-showcase/2025spring/posters/15