Featuring Betzy Valdez, President, Hispanic Women of Weld County
Betzy Valdez is a Dreamer, literally and figuratively. As the daughter of Mexican migrants who came to the United States many years ago, she was raised under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). But Betzy’s has dreams that are bigger than her status under DACA. Betzy dreams of empowerment for the community and especially for those facing challenges.
Betzy and her family experienced many challenges over the years. Not only did they endure the ordeal of coming to America – making the difficult trip to El Norte, but they faced many financial and social obstacles in their time in the United States, particularly when she was a child. Those experiences shaped not only her experiences but also her capacities to strive and overcome difficulties.
Betzy used the example of her parents and her own dreams to do more and be more in America. She studied and worked – despite the fear of potentially not being able to do either. She attended community college and developed professional experiences as a Spanish interpreter and later as a social media manager.
She furthered those experiences, by establishing Empowered Leader and organization that would help leaders find their purpose and capacities to lead. In 2021 she became President of the Hispanic Women of Weld County. In that role, she has provided many services and opportunities to support community members in need.
In each of her roles, Betzy has gained valuable experiences and offered significant opportunities to others to also reach for and achieve their dreams. She demonstrates that each person has the ability to become something more than a label or something beyond a context – to become empowered leaders.