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Estela de la Cruz arrived in the United States at the age of 15, crossing the desert on foot, a journey marked by pain and abuse. Over the years, she managed to overcome that traumatic experience.
“Hate doesn’t let you grow, and I’ve already forgiven,” she said. Today, her greatest concern is the education and safety of her three daughters. With courage and strength, de la Cruz has not only moved forward but also provided support to other women who have gone through similar challenges. “I’ve been able to advise other women so they can move forward,” she shared.
In her early years in New Bedford, de la Cruz worked in fish processing plants and at the Joseph Abboud textile factory, an experience that helped her gain business knowledge and build financial strength. Over time, she achieved independence and financial stability, acquiring properties that provided a solid foundation for her future.
However, her entrepreneurial spirit did not stop there. Always seeking new opportunities to grow, her latest venture — a fully refurbished food truck — stands as a testament to her ability to reinvent herself and create new paths. This food truck symbolizes more than just a business; it represents her resilience.
Like de la Cruz, many Hispanic women in New Bedford have transformed their lives through hard work and determination. One example is Lucía Mateo, a young Indigenous K’iché woman who, after running her own business for three years, now advises other migrants at the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC).
“I came to this country because I felt persecuted and discriminated against in Guatemala for being a woman and Indigenous,” she said. At the CEDC, she has been instrumental in helping other Hispanic women start businesses such as stores and restaurants.
“There are many people opening new businesses in New Bedford,” said Mateo, illustrating how the migrant community continues to prosper in the city.
Email Gerardo Beltrán Salinas at gerardo@newbedfordlight.org
