What Even is a Doña?

Doña … the namesake of my handle, my moniker, my pen name. But why Doña? What is she? Who is she? And who am I?

Doña, from concept, was reserved for nobles and the educated. It was in reference to honor mature women. “A Spanish courtesy title”, like Mrs.

As multiple cultures have been grouped together for the collective “Latina” why not the title, Doña, to represent cultured and experienced women in any path she chooses that brings her joy?

Doña Monica, Creative Virtual Assistant:

I’m here to help marginalized business owners live balanced lives through creative virtual assistance. 

A balanced life is tough to achieve, especially for minorities in a society that thrives on chaos, hustle mentality, and shaming for being different. It feels like “a balanced life” is unattainable for us. We have to work harder to be given a chance, to really be seen, and to be taken seriously. And it does a number on our mental health.

And this is where I meet you. 

Coming out of the end of the pandemic a few years ago, I was slowly burning myself out. Pushing myself to keep going without healthy boundaries in place and in a toxic work environment with unrealistic expectations. Microaggressions flew around like mosquitos and flies, the insurrection was celebrated, and all government agency requirements were to be taken with a grain of salt. I was in a position of leadership fighting an uphill battle.

Eventually, I walked away from a leadership position in an early childhood education program. 

I had a lot to heal within myself and relearn. The characteristics instilled in my Mexican American culture made me stand out for the right reasons. Yet, humility, a hard work ethic, and an equal opportunity mentality were completely exploited in the wrong work environment.

Does this sound familiar? You’re not alone. And the change is you.

So, I spent the next few years strengthening my emotional intelligence, exploring my creativity in a new light, and building upon my technical skills.

And I’m ready to give back again. My goal is to share my skillset with the compassion and fierceness that has created this minority. A madrina (godmother) of creative virtual assistance if you will. 

I have been blessed with the experience of slowing down and being in the moment. Without the fear of hunger and safety for myself and my family. Something minorities don’t often get the opportunity to really feel.

I am here to offer those services to you and your small business. Not just a creative virtual assistant who will treat you as a task to trade for money, but the life that you are, to create for and support you through the achievements of your wildest dreams and challenges that will teach you lessons you will never forget. 

Doña Monica Blogs

Have you ever felt the undying urge to do something? An itch that needs to be scratched? That’s writing for me. And finding it has been nothing short of a life-changing experience. If you search deep enough into my blogs, there are main topics I creatively dissect, correlate, and apply only in a way I feel I may understand, but pray it finds a home in the souls of others that yearn to feel it. 

Trauma (childhood, generational, cultural), early child development and education, being a first 1/2 ish generation Latina born and raised in the U.S., a melody of mental health topics (depression, anxiety, co-dependency, attachment theories, ADHD, coping mechanisms), women’s health concerns, heartbreak, living a life in my 40s, single, with no children, and the influence and reviews of mainstream media on all of these topics. 

I write as Doña because I have allowed my voice to be strained for 39 years from what I have considered are my challenges.

I write as Doña because I yearn for the connection with those who have experienced similar and have seen the light on the other side. A voyeuristic peek at the raw nakedness of emotions that come with life’s real experiences. And, to offer hope to those who are currently exposed in the elements of what we call life.

At the same time … My work is a creative retelling outlet. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used creatively. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental … so there’s that.

We are the Doñas of our lives because of those who came before us and the legacy we will leave behind us.

May the backbone of our culture be carried on, even with shaking and quivering voices, in a society where we will take up space in.

Exposed and taking up space,
Doña Monica

Creative Virtual Godmother … Advocate … Doña