Honoring Patti’s Legacy: 5Qs for Patti from Félix Martínez Paz

After more than twenty years at the helm of Esperanza United, Patti Tototzintle is retiring. To preserve her wisdom and lessons learned, we are organizing a series of conversations between her and the friends, leaders, and colleagues she’s worked with along the way. This month, we have Felix Martinez Paz, Esperanza United’s Engaging Men and Boys Program Specialist. An award-winning advocate, Felix pioneered Esperanza United’s work with men and boys under Patti’s leadership. They’re here now talking about how that work started, the challenges and successes along the way, and what it has meant for the movement to end gender-based violence. 

FELIX MARTINEZ PAZ: Patti, I’ve enjoyed partnering with you on Esperanza United’s men and boys work over the years. Can you tell us how this work got started here? 

PATTI TOTOTZINTLE: We’ve worked with men in different ways over time. We’ve had some men on our board and as friendly allies forever. When we opened up the Centro

 de Informacion y Recursos in the Mercado Central in Minneapolis about 2001, we didn’t put up any signage because we knew some would be uncomfortable approaching a domestic violence organization. We served more men than women with that strategy and by the time signage went up in the third year, men were recognizing us as a community partner, an asset they could rely on. 

In the mid 2000s, we started Movimiento Esperanza, a faith-based initiative to train religious and volunteer leaders on domestic violence, how to support those experiencing violence, and in essence, become first responders. Many of those we trained were couples wanting to support victims of abuse in their congregations. Later on, we developed Te Invito, so that Latino men could speak to other Latino men and invite them to join us in this work by becoming leaders on the issues of domestic violence and ensuring Latina women and girls are supported by the community.  

At the same time, after listening to over 100 Latin@s in the community, we began growing our Community engagement (Fuerza Unida) efforts, getting more boys and men involved in our leadership development training and community action projects. And you began our first men’s circles, where Latino men could come together to learn about gender-based violence, healthy relationships, cultural identity, and more, in a safe environment.  

FELIX MARTINEZ PAZ: I think our work with Latino men and boys is critical to advancing our mission of ending gender-based violence. How do you see it fitting in and why is it so singularly important? 

PATTI TOTOTZINTLE: Working with Latino boys and men as allies and learners has always been important. The issue of gender-based violence isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s a community issue. In those listening sessions and along the way in this work, Latina girls asked us to pay attention to Latino boys, and Latina women asked for more support for their sons, their partners, and other men in the community. We do not provide intervention services for men who abuse their partners, but we will always try to find a good resource for them. We do, however, work with men and boys experiencing abuse. It’s important for us to be a resource for men and boys to better understand gender-based violence, their cultural identities, the importance of healthy relationships, and how they can make a difference. 

FELIX MARTINEZ PAZ: Looking forward, how do you envision the future of the organization evolving after your departure, and what are your hopes for its continued impact and growth? 

PATTI TOTOTZINTLE: We have definitely grown very much in the last few years. I see the need to stabilize and sustain the organization over the next few years. I believe Esperanza United has so much to offer our communities, current and new partners, and the field overall. I leave it to new leadership and the board to envision the future as the broader environment – including philanthropy, government, and community support, locally and nationally – shifts and changes. 

FELIX MARTINEZ PAZ: What are your hopes for Latinas in the state of Minnesota? Looking 10 years into the future, where do you see Latina women? 

PATTI TOTOTZINTLE: I see Latina women in more positions of leadership. Across the country there are Latinas in top positions, but we need that to be the norm not the exception. In Minnesota, there have been a number of leadership development opportunities for newer Latin@ leaders and we all have to ensure that as many Latinas as possible are accessing these opportunities. 

I also know that Latinas, with the support of our allies, will continue to address issues of gender-based violence and other challenges facing our communities. And I hope they can see the impact of their leadership. I hope to see more Latinas in local and state government because we need our voices leading policy decisions impacting Latin@ and other communities. I see Latinas of all ages mentoring and supporting Latina girls and women so that everyone understands and can act on their true potential.  

FELIX MARTINEZ PAZ: What is one thing you want current and future generations at Esperanza United to remember?  

PATTI TOTOTZINTLE: To never lose sight of our roots. The ‘why’ we do this work is critical and ‘how’ we do the work, even more so. Whether it’s our direct services, prevention and social change initiatives, policy advocacy, research and evaluation, or work with service providers, the community must always remain at the center. Esperanza United should never let go of listening to our communities, being innovative and flexible, and being bold and humble. It all works together. Thanks so much for asking!