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Letter from the Editor
When people talk about leadership, they often imagine corner offices, polished résumés, and well-funded organizations wrapped in layers of staff.
Yet in Anthony, leadership looks entirely different.
It looks like volunteers setting up classrooms in preparation for the classes scheduled for the day. It looks like women who were once students now standing at the front of the classroom, passing forward the knowledge they received in the very rooms that once held them.
For more than thirty years, WInC has been a place where women step into leadership not because the path is smooth, but because their community needs them.
The report on the "Beyond the Glass Cliff" reveals a stark truth: women of color are often handed the reins of leadership precisely during moments of crisis. At the Center, that cliff has appeared in many forms like struggles for funding, shifting immigration policies, families arriving with nothing but hope, and the relentless pressure to do more with less.
Yet at WInC, a different story unfolds.
- Instead of falling, women link arms.
- Instead of burning out, they lift each other up.
- Instead of being told to "be strong," they build a community where strength is shared, never demanded.
Still, the report’s warnings echo in our daily reality. While programs find funding, the women who carry them are not always supported with the resources that create long-term stability. A center can run beautiful programs, yet building financial reserves, strengthening infrastructure, and securing the type of capital that guarantees a future, that is where the gap remains.
And yet, the women keep going.
They keep teaching English classes even when without books. They keep preparing students for citizenship even when the tests change and families panic. They keep opening the doors even when the budget says they shouldn’t.
They do this not because they are superhuman, but because they remember exactly what it felt like to walk through those doors for the very first time…nervous, hopeful, unsure and how they were met with absolute dignity.
WInC is living proof of what the report calls for: leadership that is powerful, deeply rooted, and worthy of real investment. The women here do not need saving. They need partners who understand that sustainability is not a luxury, it is a matter of justice.
Imagine what becomes possible when the women who built this Center with their own hands are finally backed with the same long-term support, capital, and trust that others receive as a matter of course. Imagine a future where the Center doesn’t just survive from year to year but thrives for generations.
Because the truth is simple: When you invest in women of color leaders, you invest in entire communities.
And in Anthony, WInC has been proving that for three decades.
Mary Carter
Editor & Executive Director
Women’s Intercultural Center
Fresh Hope in Every Box
This week, the Center received 16 beautiful vegetable boxes donated by La Semilla Food Center, each filled with fresh, locally grown produce from farms across our region. Inside were vibrant squash blossoms, carrots, purple onions, zucchini, mushrooms, and more all harvested with care and shared with love.
One of the boxes found its way to a woman who is not only facing financial hardship but also undergoing chemotherapy for her cancer diagnosis. Despite the challenges, she continues to focus on her health and strength by blending the vegetables she receives into smoothies that help her stay nourished and hopeful.
Her story reflects the deeper meaning behind La Semilla’s work: food as healing, connection, and dignity. Every donation helps someone take one more step toward wellness, one meal at a time.
We are deeply grateful to La Semilla Food Center and the local farms that make these boxes possible. Their generosity continues to grow roots of compassion throughout our border communities.
Celebrating Oliver at WInC
This week, the Center was filled with joy as we celebrated Oliver’s 6th birthday, hosted by the Yarn Art Class his mom, Alma, leads. Alma has long been both an instructor and participant at the Center, weaving creativity and care into every class. And little Oliver has grown up right alongside her learning, playing, and becoming part of our WInC community.
The Yarn Art Class came together to make his birthday special, surrounding Oliver with laughter, handmade touches, and the warmth of friends who have watched him grow. For Alma, it was a moment of pride to see her son celebrated in the very place where she shares her talents and nurtures others. For Oliver, it was a reminder that the Center is his second home.
Oliver’s birthday was a milestone for him and a joyful reminder of how the Center supports families across generations.
Proposed Citizenship Fee Changes: What You Should Know
A newly proposed rule by the Trump administration would significantly increase U.S. citizenship application fees and eliminate fee waivers for many low‑income applicants.
The proposal aims to restructure USCIS funding, but advocates warn that the steep hikes, nearly doubling the cost of naturalization, combined with the removal of fee waivers could price many eligible residents out of becoming U.S. citizens.
Before this rule can become final, there is a mandatory public comment period. This means you have the right to share your perspective and have your voice added to the official record.
🗣️ Submit your public comment here: Federal Register – Naturalization Application Fee Adjustments
Catching Dreams, Creating Community
Just look at this stunning dreamcatcher from our latest Yarn Art Class! Every detail reflects the heart, culture, and creativity our participants bring to the table.
The soft pastel palette (pinks, blues, purples, and mint greens) sets a calming tone. Fluffy yarn pom‑poms and a thick handmade tassel add playful texture, while delicate accents of lace, satin ribbons, wooden beads, and a soft feather complete the design. Together, these elements capture the vibrant spirit of the class and the joy of making something beautiful by hand.
Our instructor, Alma, continues to make Yarn Art an incredibly unique experience. Under her guidance, participants not only learn new skills but also discover how creativity can weave connection, resilience, and community.
This dreamcatcher is a craft and a symbol of the good dreams and strong bonds being built here at the Center.
Celebrate Local Creativity at the Fine Arts Flea Market
On Saturday, July 10, 2026, from 5–10 PM, the Fine Arts Flea Market at 100 Main Street, Las Cruces, NM will be buzzing with creativity, good vibes, and inspiring local makers.
We invite you to stop by Space 92 and support Sunshine Dayz Co, a proud member of our WInC Community. Their booth will be filled with handmade treasures from candles that warm your space to resin earrings and unique jewelry that brighten your day. Each piece is crafted with care, creativity, and love, making them perfect as gifts or as a special treat for yourself.
By showing up, sharing smiles, and supporting local makers, we celebrate the talent and fortitude that make our region shine.
✨ Shop local • Support artists • Spread good vibes ✨
Follow @sunshinedayzco on Instagram and TikTok for sneak peeks of their beautiful creations.
Strength in Every Stitch
Channeling strength and art through every single stitch, our Crochet Class continues to create pure magic. Each project reflects patience, fortitude, and the joy of making something beautiful together.
Around the tables, participants share encouragement, laughter, and tips, weaving community into every loop. From colorful garments to playful characters, each creation carries the spirit of its maker and the collective energy of the group.
This class is about learning a skill, finding strength in creativity, building friendships, and celebrating the artistry that grows when people come together. Every stitch tells a story, and together they form a tapestry of hope and connection at the Center.
Lost in the Colors
There is nothing quite like the focus and flow of watercolors. In our latest Art Class, participants found themselves immersed in the vibrant hues of their creations, letting each brushstroke carry them deeper into the joy of expression.
One flower began to bloom right off the page, its bright orange petals glowing against the soft washes of color around it. Watching that shade come alive shows us how art transforms simple moments into something extraordinary.
The class was filled with quiet concentration, shared smiles, and the kind of peaceful energy that comes from creating together. Every painting told a story, yet together they reflected the collective spirit of our WInC community: strong, colorful, and full of life.
At the Center, art is a technique, a way to celebrate creativity, nurture focus, and let beauty bloom in unexpected places.
Healthy Choices, One Cup at a Time
This week’s ICAN Nutrition Class was all about simple, nourishing snacks and participants created delicious yogurt parfaits layered with crunchy oats, dried cranberries, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Each cup had a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition: creamy yogurt for protein and calcium, whole‑grain oats for fiber and heart health, and dried fruit for natural sweetness. As participants mixed their ingredients, they shared laughter and stories about how small changes can make a big difference in daily wellness.
The class reminded everyone that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be colorful, creative, and full of joy.
Once WInC Family, Always WInC Family
At the Center, we’ve learned that once you are part of our WInC family, you always find your way back, even if just for a visit. This week, we were delighted to welcome Yolanda, who stopped by while visiting her family and introduced us to her husband, Chris.
Yolanda was an instrumental part of WInC before moving out of the region. She helped open doors with a variety of donors, many of whom continue to support us today, and she gave so much of herself in countless ways that strengthened our mission. Her dedication left a lasting mark on our community.
Today, Yolanda and Chris live in Midland, where she works in public relations and he works as an engineer in the oil industry. During her visit, they shared their excitement about returning to the region within the next three years, a future we look forward to with open arms.
Her visit was a reminder that WInC is more than a place; it’s a family. No matter where life takes our members, the bonds built here remain strong, and the doors are always open for their return.
