06/22/2026
Miss Latina Tampa helps immigrant women build confidence and community
TAMPA — Miss Latina Tampa, a nonprofit, is working to help Latina women, including immigrants, build confidence, leadership skills and community through mentorship, personal development and cultural connection.
For the past 11 years, the organization has focused on more than crowns and sashes. Its leaders say the program helps young women develop public speaking, communication, and leadership skills while creating a sense of belonging.
For Mariana Pino, Miss Latina Tampa’s 2024 ambassador, the mission is personal. “It’s not just about how you look physically. It’s about how you carry yourself,” Pino said.
Pino was born and raised in Cuba and left the country four years ago in search of more opportunities and freedom.
The move meant leaving behind her family and a medical degree she was close to completing. “This picture represents distance, hurt, dreams broken and lives that we can’t share together anymore,” Pino said.
Pino said the distance from her family made it difficult to settle into her new life in the U.S. She said Miss Latina Tampa helped provide support as she adjusted.
“It’s been a support system for me in all aspects, in how I’ve grown as a person, how to find help with immigration, how to be confident in myself,” Pino said.
Founder Rosario Torres said nearly half of the program’s participants are immigrants. She said the program is designed to help women find opportunities for personal growth. “I think that if you give them the opportunities, it’s easier for them to find their purpose and growth without many obstacles,” Torres said.
Torres said the program also creates a community where women with similar experiences can connect and support one another.
This year’s Miss Latina Tampa competition is scheduled for July 4. Organizers say the upcoming event will celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions represented by participants from across the Hispanic community.
