East L.A. Women's Day Fest celebrates two storied legacies of advocacy on the Eastside

The event marks the 50th anniversary of the East L.A. Women's Center and the 29th anniversary of Mujeres de Maiz.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

This Saturday, various women's groups from across East L.A. are joining forces to celebrate International Women's Day at the East L.A. Women's Day Fest. The event will celebrate the legacy of two Latina-run advocacy organizations on the Eastside - the East L.A. Women's Center and Mujeres de Maiz.

Why it matters

The East L.A. Women's Day Fest highlights the important work these two organizations have done over the decades to support women's issues, from domestic violence and health services to art, wellness and community organizing in the Eastside neighborhood.

The details

The East L.A. Women's Day Fest, taking place at the East L.A. Civic Center, is being put on by the East L.A. Women's Center, Mujeres de Maiz, and the Goddess Mercado. The event will feature over 70 vendors with work from local women entrepreneurs and artisans, plus musical performances and talks from prominent Latinx activists and organizers. It will also provide resources on child care, domestic violence, HIV testing, immigration and more.

  • The East L.A. Women's Day Fest takes place on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The East L.A. Women's Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
  • Mujeres de Maiz is celebrating its 29th anniversary this year.

The players

East L.A. Women's Center

An advocacy program that supports women who have been abused and helps provide health and social services.

Mujeres de Maiz

A women's art and wellness collective that aims to help women address their physical and mental health needs.

Felicia Montes

The co-founder and executive director of Mujeres de Maiz, who helped launch the organization as a student at UCLA.

Goddess Mercado

A monthly roving marketplace that provides Latina business owners a space to showcase their wares.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We were just looking for representation of Chicanx, Latinx and women of color in artistic and organizing spaces. Because we didn't see it as much, or we oftentimes didn't feel safe or heard in those spaces, we made our own space.”

— Felicia Montes, Co-founder and Executive Director, Mujeres de Maiz (The Times)

“[It's a space where] we do work around women's issues, around sexuality, around feminism, around spirituality, around immigration, around all of our different selves and not have to go to five different meetings for that.”

— Felicia Montes, Co-founder and Executive Director, Mujeres de Maiz (The Times)

“It's very inspiring to see an organization that has been along, you know, around so long. Their focus is so many different areas, [they do work] around families, domestic violence, HIV awareness. They have really connected across all of the different important spaces and needs around women and women of color across not only the Eastside, but Southern California.”

— Felicia Montes, Co-founder and Executive Director, Mujeres de Maiz (The Times)

What’s next

The East L.A. Women's Day Fest will continue to be an annual celebration of the important advocacy work done by the East L.A. Women's Center and Mujeres de Maiz in the Eastside community.

The takeaway

The East L.A. Women's Day Fest highlights the enduring legacy of two pioneering Latina-led organizations that have spent decades fighting for the rights and wellbeing of women, particularly in the Eastside neighborhood of Los Angeles.