Rosario Marin's remarkable journey from a Mexican immigrant who knew zero English to becoming the first Mexican-born Treasurer of the United States of America is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience. As a race and female inspirational keynote speaker, Rosario’s life story is a source of motivation for people from all walks of life.
Rosario's early struggles in the United States serve as a powerful backdrop to her inspirational talks. Arriving in the country at the age of 15 without any knowledge of the English language, she faced discrimination and was even labelled as mentally disabled after scoring poorly on an IQ test. However, Rosario was undeterred by these challenges. She embarked on a journey of self-improvement, using songs on the radio as her language teachers, and eventually graduated with honours, ranking in the top 20 out of a class of 500. In 1983, Rosario earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University. She initially pursued a career in business and finance but made a life-changing decision when her son was born with Down's Syndrome. Disheartened by the lack of support for Latino families facing similar challenges, she founded the first support group for Latino parents with Down's children, marking the beginning of her advocacy career.
Rosario's advocacy work led her to serve as the Chief of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Developmental Services. Here, she worked on legislation that benefited individuals with disabilities, earning recognition from the United Nations with the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Prize. In 1999, Rosario became the first Hispanic to hold the position of Mayor in the Huntington Park city council, a significant milestone in her career. Her impact continued to grow, culminating in her historic appointment as the first Mexican-born US Treasurer in 2001. In this role, she oversaw the collection of billions in taxes, managed a massive state workforce, and licensed millions of Californians.
Rosario's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. She has been decorated with numerous awards and accolades, including four Honorary Doctorate Degrees and the Ellis Island Medal of Honour. Her best-selling book, 'Leading Between Two Worlds: Lessons from the First Mexican-Born Treasurer of the United States,' encapsulates her incredible American Dream journey.
As an inspirational keynote speaker, Rosario has left audiences spellbound across the globe. Her story transcends borders and speaks to the universal themes of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Whether addressing audiences in the United States, China, Costa Rica, or Spain, Rosario's message is clear: with determination and hard work, anyone, regardless of their race or background, can achieve their dreams. When seeking an inspirational Hispanic speaker who embodies the spirit of achievement, look no further than Rosario Marin. Her life's journey serves as an enduring source of inspiration and motivation for individuals and communities around the world.
