Amber Guerrero | Multimedia Editor

Photos Courtesy of Rebecca Aguilar. (Illustration by Victor Chambers)

Latina journalist Rebecca Aguilar shares about her advocacy for diversity and imparts advice to aspiring journalists.

Rebecca Aguilar credits her parents with shaping not only her professional journey, but also molding the contours of her life. “They came to this country with nothing in the late 1950s and eventually became a voice for communities that needed to be heard,” she said.

Her mother would later become a migrant rights activist, and her father a union leader for workers. As for herself, Aguilar started working as a journalist in 1981. Throughout her 42-year-long career, she won seven Emmy awards and became the Society of Professional Journalism’s (SPJ) first Latina president. Above all, she continues to advocate for change in the industry. “Both [of my parents] were also civil rights leaders, always fighting for good change. That's what I strive to do as a journalist, create good change,” Aguilar said.

With over four decades of experience in writing and delivering news, the Texas-based journalist says her main motivations are the pursuit of truth, and the voices of previously silenced communities. “I am motivated by the public because they need us to find and tell them the truth, and also to challenge the powerful and uncover the corrupt,” she said. “I am also motivated by communities that have been ignored. I don't believe in the saying ‘voice for the voiceless’. There are many communities like the unhoused, LGBTQ+, and communities of color that always had a voice, but were ignored by the media. I give them the attention they need.”

Because of this passion, Aguilar has made an effort to continue her fight for diversity in media. “It has been a challenge, a struggle, a battle my whole career,” she said. However, the need to stand for it is ever-apparent. Aguilar believes that when it comes to diversity, newsrooms should be reflective of the world.

“Journalism is better told by people who believe in including all voices. In order to do a good story today, whether it's about a person, place, or thing, you need to have a diverse background,” said Aguilar, when asked about the importance of inclusion in a community based industry.

As a Mexican woman, she has been committed to diversifying the industry, both through her own work and through spotlighting other reporters. Before becoming SPJ’s first Latina and woman of color president, she was in their Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Today, she continues these efforts. “Latinas should be in every newsroom and journalism classroom. I believe as a Latina, I am a reminder that we belong, and our voice should be heard and respected not only as women but as journalists. We have stories to tell, especially about our community. No more ignoring Latinas and our people,” she said.

In recent years, she has started a few social media efforts: Latinas in Journalism, a job and mentor forum on Facebook, and #CallingAllJournalists, a hashtag that journalists can utilize to help each other in any situation.

These efforts, more than a simple business exchange, are a means to strengthen community bonds and inspire journalists to survive and thrive. She emphasized the importance of highlighting all good journalism, regardless of the background of the person behind it. “When I shine a light, it’s because I want other journalists to be inspired.”

Aguilar explained that when a person is faced with a challenge, they can feel the loss of hope regardless of their background. The #CallingAllJournalists initiative is intended to be open to all identities. She wanted a way for journalists to find the motivation to persevere and more opportunities within the field, especially when faced with challenges such as job loss.

Community is of great importance to her, especially as a journalist who seeks to uplift others that wish to achieve the same. To all aspiring journalists, Latine and otherwise, she left a bit of wisdom. “First, enter this field with an open heart and open mind,” she said. Aguilar advised to keep openness to other points of view, as it can help journalists grow out of any bias or judgements they begin their work with.

Independence and perseverance are paramount traits for a journalist, according to Aguilar. “Live your life. What’s important in this job is to invest time in it — be patient,” Aguilar said. She likened learning skills in journalism to how anyone else would learn skills for their career. “Ask any mechanic; overnight, they don’t know how to fix a motor, but in due time they do. Same thing with journalists.”

Aguilar added that an aspiring journalist should always be curious, show commitment, and have compassion.

“Wherever you go, meet people. That’s how you find stories. Have the courage to confront people with power. Have the courage within your newsroom and classroom to speak up,” she said.

She also shared the importance of empathy, especially when exploring stories outside of one’s community.

Lastly, Aguilar suggested finding a mentor. “A mentor is someone who will tell you what you need to know, not what you want to hear,” she said. Coming back to the sense of community she values, Aguilar emphasized the value in seeking help from others in the industry.

Progress for advocacies such as representation and inclusion have a long way to go, but Aguilar wishes to remind everyone that Latine and other diverse voices are here to stay.

Featured