The Downtown Women’s Center was abuzz with excitement when we welcomed international superstar Salma Hayek Pinault to our Center in late March – an unexpected but delightful surprise to DWC residents and staff.
Arriving with her daughter and some of her friends, Salma stopped by to donate some of her very own dresses, blouses, and pants to the Center and meet the women of DWC.
DWC Residents welcomed Salma and her entourage with warm smiles, laughter, and even jokes in Spanish which Salma gladly returned in favor. Interested in seeing what DWC is all about, Salma made her way to our MADE by DWC Café and Gift Boutique where she took photos with DWC residents and even made a video to share on her social media accounts.
“We are so honored to have Salma Hayek Pinault visit with the women of DWC and learn about the work we’re doing in Skid Row to end homelessness for all women,” said Sylvia Rosenberger, CEO of DWC. “We hope to see Salma and her daughter again; it meant so much to our women to meet her.”
Salma has long been an advocate for the empowerment of women and girls through her work bringing strong female characters to the silver screen and TV, from Frida Kahlo to Ugly Betty. Through her depiction of strong Latina characters on screen, Salma breaks negative stereotypes and is a role model for the women of DWC.
Latinas have now become the second-largest group of women represented in Skid Row. The average age of Latinas in our community is 48 years, 60% indicated having a physical or mental health disability, and half have slept in shelters or the streets. To read more about Latinas in Skid Row, click here.
DWC offers tours of the Center every Friday at 10am and 2pm and accepts a wide variety of donations.
To RSVP for a tour, click here.
Click here to drop off a donation or learn more about donating to DWC.