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Oct 7, 2021 8 tweets 6 min read Read on X
¡Hola a todxs, I’m @davillasana! As a Hispanic woman, most of my photography focuses on resilience against injustice as well as culture and diversity in Latin America. My identity also shapes my passion for increasing inclusivity in the media industry. #HispanicHeritageMonth Credit: Abel Santander Gamarra
Some of these stories include documenting the threats facing transgender women in Latin America and their resilience despite them. For nearly a decade, I’ve strived to paint a more humanistic portrait of this community to educate others about transphobia’s dire consequences. Credit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle Villasana
Another story I loved photographing was that of a young girl’s quinceañera, or “coming-of-age” celebration, in Mexico where it’s widely practiced. When I asked Lorena her favorite part, she responded “the dress!” She quickly backtracked, saying family first and the dress second. Credit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle Villasana
Living in Peru, I followed the life of Yoselin Chavez who fought tuberculosis during an unexpected pregnancy. Though only a teen, she was determined to be strong. “I’m doing it for my baby because I want to be by his side.” Her story reminds me of young women’s amazing courage. Credit: Danielle Villasana
Also in Peru, I photographed Día de los Muertos at the world’s second largest cemetery in Lima. Being there reminded me of making clay skeletal figurines in my childhood with my dad, who taught me about this important Latinx tradition of honoring loved ones who’ve passed on. Credit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle Villasana
Striving for balanced narratives in my work, when photographing a story about an infamously dangerous neighborhood in Honduras, I also focused on initiatives by community members—many in their youth—working to increase safety and stability despite gang violence. Credit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle VillasanaCredit: Danielle Villasana
In addition to photography, I’m dedicated to increasing inclusivity and equity in visual media by being part of organizations and initiatives such as @evdayprojects @wewomenphoto @theauthorityc and @photo_rights. Truthful media depends on diverse storytellers.
Because my dad’s generation faced assimilation, I strive to retain my roots. From our family opening up one of Texas’ 1st tortilla factories to historical markers, I celebrate Hispanic Latinx Heritage month by learning more about my own family stories. How do you honor heritage? Collage credit: Danielle Villasana

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More from @InsideNatGeo

Mar 5, 2021
Hi, I’m @sonikamanandhar, engineer, Nat Geo Explorer & CTO of a fintech platform, @aeloitech. I’m taking over @insidenatgeo to share how Aeloi is bridging the last-mile impact financing gap for 👩 women-led green businesses.
Nepal🇳🇵became a green city pioneer by launching women-driven 700 electric⚡public transportation back in 1995. Sachita here is one of the many women microentrepreneurs who struggles with a lack of affordable financing for their green businesses.

Photo credit: Todd Brown
Sachita told us one day: “I know how to drive the minibus, but I don’t know how to make the formal bank to trust me and lend me the amount I need to grow my business.”

Because of this reason, most women EV drivers are quitting the industry. 😟

Photo credit: Todd Brown
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