>> GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LATINO VOICES I'M JOINED THEN THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER.

BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES LIVING IN CITY SHELTERS?

>> BY STANDING TOGETHER, WE DEMONSTRATE THAT LOVE IS LOVE AND THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

>> PRIDE MONTH IS OFFICIALLY HERE.

WE EXPLORE HOW LATINO COMMUNITIES ARE CELEBRATING.

WE MEET THE FIRST MEXICAN BORN WOMAN TO TRAVEL TO SPACE AND HEAR ABOUT HER NEXT MISSION.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS GIVING US AN INSIGHT INTO THEIR PRE PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION WHERE THOUSANDS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND IN PROTEST.

HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS ATTENDED AN OPEN TRAINING AT MCCORMICK PLACE TODAY WHERE THEY PRACTICED SKILL TRAINING AND BIKE DRILLS.

THE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS SAFETY IS THE MAIN GOAL IN THAT ARREST AND USE OF FORCE ARE LAST RESORTS.

HOWEVER, HE HAS.

POLICE WILL NOT TOLERATE VIOLENCE OR VANDALISM.

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

DO NOT GET POLITICAL WHEN IT COMES TO OUR JOB IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THE PUBLIC WHEN OFFICERS OUT THERE DEALING WITH VOLATILE SITUATIONS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DECISIONS THAT THOSE OFFICERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE TRAINED PROPERLY TO MAKE THE MOST AFFECTED DECISION.

>> SNELLING SAYS TRAINING IS FOCUSED ON OFFICER DISCIPLINE AND ENSURING POLICE ARE WORKING TOGETHER AS A COHESIVE UNIT.

CBD SAYS THE 2500 OFFICERS WHO WILL BE ASSIGNED TO DNC DUTIES WILL RECEIVE 48 HOURS OF TRAINING BEFOREHAND.

THE CONVENTION IS SET TO TAKE PLACE FROM AUGUST 19TH THE 22ND AT THE UNITED CENTER.

CHICAGOANS ARE HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR.

2 ON ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY.

MEMBERS OF LOCAL VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS GATHERED IN DALEY PLAZA TODAY TO LAY A WREATH AT THE ETERNAL FLAME TO COMMEMORATE THE DAY WHEN ALLIED FORCES LAUNCH A SURPRISE ATTACK THAT HELPED LIBERATE EUROPE FROM ETSY GERMANY, NOT GERMANY.

MORE THAN 4,000 ALLIED TROOPS WERE KILLED ON D-DAY ITSELF.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN 120,000 AMERICANS WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR 2 ARE STILL 5.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FREE INTERNET ACCESS, YOU MAY WANT TO TRY YOUR LOCAL PARK.

THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT ANNOUNCES IT WILL BE PROVIDING FREE INTERNET ACCESS AND SEVERAL CITY PARKS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES FOCUSING ON COMMUNITIES WITH LIMITED WI-FI CONNECTIONS, GARFIELD TUMBLED.

INDIGO DOUGLAS PARKS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE 60 LOCAL PARKS WERE HOT SPOTS WILL BE INSTALLED THIS YEAR.

>> THIS INVESTMENT WILL PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY UP TO 200 YARDS BE ON THE FIELD HOUSE ABOUT 2 FOOTBALL FIELDS.

IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE OUTDOOR ANTENNAS IN OTHER AREAS OF THE PARK LIKE THE PLAYGROUNDS, THE ATHLETIC FIELD.

>> THE PARK DISTRICT SAYS IT'S COMPLETED BROADBAND IMPROVEMENTS AT 27 OF THE PARK FIELD.

HOUSE IS AND IN THE FALL, THE DISTRICT SAYS IT EXECUTE THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT FOCUSING ON OUTDOOR PARKS, OUTDOOR AREAS OF THE PARKS.

IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO SOME SALSA MUSIC CAN TRY PUERTO RICAN FOOD, YOU'RE IN LUCK.

THE ANNUAL PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL KNOWN AS FIESTA SPOT OR NOT IS KICK-OFF ALONG DIVISION STREET IN HUMBLE PARK TODAY.

IT'S A FOUR-DAY CELEBRATION FILLED WITH FOOD, MUSIC AND ARTS TODAY ENTRY TO THE FESTIVAL IS FREE FOR THE COMMUNITY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

IT'S $10 TO GET IN FOR MORE SUMMER FESTIVITIES HAPPENING ACROSS CHICAGO IN THE SUBURBS.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW DOT COM SLASH NEWS FESTIVALS.

UP NEXT, OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN HALF OF THE MIGRANTS FORCED TO LEAVE CITY SHELTERS IMMEDIATELY RETURNED.

REPORTER HEATHER SHARON HAS AN UPDATE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICE HE'S MADE POSSIBLE IN BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> CHICAGO OFFICIAL TELL US MORE THAN HALF OF 900 MIGRANTS EVICTED FROM CITY SHELTERS ARE ONCE AGAIN LIVING IN THOSE FACILITIES.

THE NEWS COMES AS OFFICIALS PLANS TO START EVICTING FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FROM CITY SHELTERS ON MONDAY, A DECISION THAT'S RAISING SOME QUESTIONS.

WDW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

HEATHER, WE KNOW WHAT THE CITY HAS BEEN ENFORCING THE 60 DAY LIMIT ON MOST ADULTS.

DO WE KNOW WHERE THEY HAVE GONE?

>> SO THE CITY IS NOT TRACKING WHETHER THEY'RE ABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY OR IF THEY'RE DOUBLING UP WITH FRIENDS OR OTHER PEOPLE IN CHICAGO.

BUT WE DO KNOW THAT APPROXIMATELY 500 PEOPLE WHO HIT THAT 60 DAY LIMIT REAPPLIED FOR SHELTERS, THE SHELTER BEDS, WHICH MEANS THEY'RE RIGHT BACK.

LIVING IN CITY FACILITIES WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE THEY HIT THAT LIMIT, RAISING REAL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THE CITY IN THE STATE ARE DOING ENOUGH TO GET THEM ON THEIR FEET AND STARTING A NEW LIFE HERE IN CHICAGO.

SO SOMEONE LIKE THEY'RE JUST CYCLING BACK NOW.

WE KNOW CITY OFFICIALS SAID THEY WOULD NOT EVICT FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM CITY SHELTERS UNTIL AFTER THE SCHOOL.

>> AND DID WE KNOW THAT CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS OUR OUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM?

SO STARTING ON TUESDAY AND THEN FOR THE NEXT WEEK, APPROXIMATELY 120 PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN OTHERWISE EXEMPT FROM THE SHELTER, EVICTIONS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE.

IF NOW IT'S NOT CLEAR IF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE PLACES TO GO OR WHETHER THEY WILL COME BACK TO THE LANDING ZONE WHERE THE CITY STARTS PROCESS IS MIGRANTS.

>> REAPPLY FOR SHELTER SPACE.

THIS COMES AFTER MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON WAS UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE NOT TO EVICT FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE, OF COURSE, THAT COULD HAVE MEANT THEY HAD TO LEAVE THEIR SCHOOL AND START AN ENTIRELY NEW PROCESS AND IS IS LAW ENFORCE IS ENFORCEMENT THE 60 DAYS LIMIT SHELTER?

STAY WORKING LIKE MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WORKING.

WELL, COMMISSIONER BRANDI CAN EZZY OF THE DEPARTMENT FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES TOLD ME THAT, QUOTE, THE CITY OF CHICAGO CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS SHELTER, STATE POLICIES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS OF ANY MAJOR CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT ALL RESIDENTS HAVE THE OPTION TO RE-ENTER TEMPORARY SHELTER SITES WHEN THEY REACH THEIR SHELTER EXIT DATE.

IF THEY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SECURE HOUSING, THE QUESTION IS, WILL THAT POLICY HOLD AND SO MANY MORE PEOPLE PREPARE TO HAVE TO LEAVE THE SHELTER.

SO WE KNOW THAT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IS AROUND THE CORNER AND CITY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN WARNING THAT THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THE TEXAS GOVERNOR ABBOTT WILL BE SENDING MORE BUSES TO CAUSE CHAOS DURING THE CONVENTION.

>> HAS HE DONE THAT?

HAVE WE'VE SEEN NOT YET.

OF COURSE, THE CONVENTION IS STILL A COUPLE OF MONTHS AWAY, BUT THERE'S BEEN NO SIGN OF A BIG SURGE, EVEN AS THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS MAKING THEIR WAY TO CHICAGO CONTINUES TO INCREASE STEADILY BY ABOUT 5% EVERY MONTH THE BEGINNING OF THE WARM WEATHER.

>> NOW AT THE SAME TIME, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN CITY SHELTERS DROPPED BY 13% JUST IN THE PAST MONTH.

TODAY, THERE ARE FEWER THAN 7,000 MIGRANTS LIVING IN CITY FACILITIES.

WHETHER THAT HOLDS AS WE APPROACH MID AUGUST IS A BIG QUESTION WILL.

THANK YOU, HEATHER, FOR THAT UPDATE.

THANKS, JOHN.

A AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

>> IMAGINE HAVING TOGETHER IN SECRET OR GETTING KICKED OUT OF PLACES BECAUSE OF YOUR ORIENTATION.

WELL, THAT WAS A REALITY FOR HUNDREDS OF LGBTQ PEOPLE DURING THE 1970'S 80'S.

AND EVEN THE 90'S AS A LIBERATION MOVEMENT WAS GAINING MOMENTUM.

CHICAGOANS BEGIN CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH.

WE HEAR FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PAVED THE WAY IN CONTINUE TO WORK TO CREATE SPACES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

JOINING US NOW, OUR ALICIA VEGA, A LONGTIME LGBTQ+ ACTIVISTS AND FOUNDER THE SAFETY CONSULTING.

I KNOW I LOVE NON THIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALMOST CHICAGO.

JOINING US VIA ZOOM IS VIKTOR BOARD CHAIR AT THE CENTER ON HALSTED.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR JOINING US.

AT LEAST I WANT TO GO.

DO YOU TAKE ME BACK TO WHEN DID YOU COME OUT AS AN OPENLY WOMAN?

TAKING ME BACK LATE, 80'S EARLY >> YOU KNOW, THERE REALLY WAS A LOT OF LANGUAGE AROUND ME UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT WAS THAT I THE WORD OR OF BUT NEVER HEARD THE WORD BUT I DIDN'T HEAR THE WORD AND IT WASN'T LIKE PART OF ANY REGULAR VOCABULARY.

I REMEMBER A DAY WHERE FRIEND OF MINE, HIS OLDER I DIDN'T KNOW WAS A BUT WAS A AND SHE HAD HAD LIKE GATHERING AT THEIR HOUSE FRONTED BY ME OVER AND WHEN I SHOW IT OFF, I JUST FELT LIKE I WAS AT HOME.

I WAS LIKE I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANT.

AND AND AS I STARTED MEETING PEOPLE AND BUY FRIENDS LIKE MY SISTER IS A AND I WAS LIKE IT CLICKED FOR LIKE THE DISCONNECTION THAT I FELL IN TERMS OF JUST SORT OF UNDERSTANDING THE LONG.

>> AND KNEW THAT MENTIONED THAT YOU'RE COMING OUT DURING EXPERIENCE OVER.

YOU RELATE TO IT FROM THE SCENE TO A COUPLE'S GOAL APPLE TV SERIES IS TO QUICKLY TALK ABOUT IT.

IT'S A SCENE WHERE THE MOM IS TELLING THE YOUNG DAUGHTER LIKE WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

WHAT ARE PEOPLE GOING TO SAY?

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A FAMILY?

DID YOU RELATE TO THAT OH, MY GOD, RELATED SO MUCH TO PARENTS AND THAT'S AGAIN IS BY A MOTHER I JUST LIKE SAUCE AND THOSE MY MOTHER LOVES WE LOST HER LAST YEAR AND SO THAT THE SCENE WAS JUST A MORE IMPACTFUL.

FOR TO HEAR THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THEM AND >> THE MOTHERS JUST TRIED TO LIKE GRAPPLE WITH.

I CARE ABOUT YOU AND I LOVE YOU.

I WANT YOU TO BE OKAY.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS HARD LIFE THE DAUGHTERS TRYING EXPLAIN WHO SHE IS AND AND RELIGIOUS CATHOLIC COMPONENT OF IT, THE LIVES AND THOSE SCENES AND HAD AN EXPERIENCE RELATE WITH MANY PEOPLE IS NUMBER GOING AND JUST WALKING.

AND MY PARENTS ALSO MY MIND COMES BY AND SHE OPENS HER BEDROOM DOOR AND SHE'S LIKE LIKE, IS IT?

SO I COME IN THE ROOM.

SHE DOESN'T SAY A SINGLE WORD.

TODAY.

SHE IS SAID TO BE ON THE BAD SHE BRINGS OUT HER BOTTLE OF HOLY WATER.

SHE JUST STARTS JUST LIKE WHISPERING HER PRAYERS AND DOES A SIGN ACROSS EMEA AND KISSES ME.

AND THEN THAT WAS IT.

AND I KNOW WHAT IT WAS ABOUT WE DON'T TALK OPENLY ABOUT A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS THAT, BUT I UNDERSTOOD WHAT SHE WAS DOING AND WHAT I SHARE THAT WITH OTHER FOLKS WHO MAY NOT BE HAVE LIKED THAT'S GOING ELECTING BACKGROUND.

A TERRIBLE LIKE NO, IT WAS ACTUALLY IT WAS HER WAY OF SHOWING AFFECTION, YOU KNOW, FOR MOTHER LIKE WHEN YOU NEEDED SOMETHING, YOU CALLED HER AND SHE WOULD LIKE TAKE THE SAINT.

JUDE ARE THE THE B ONE A LITTLE BIT CAN DO FOR SOMETHING WAS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS THE SECOND I CAN RELATE STORM.

ALSO MEXICAN.

MY PARENTS ARE.

>> A VERY CATHOLIC.

SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH I WANT TO GO TO WHAT WAS YOUR COMING OUT?

JOURNEY LIKE?

>> WELL, MY COMING OUT IN I ALSO GREW UP IN VERY, REALLY JUST HOME.

I GREW UP PENTECOSTAL.

AND SO THE FIRST TIME IN WHICH I SAID ANYTHING CLOSE TO BEING.

I WAS 8 YEARS OLD.

AM WHERE MY STEPFATHER ASKED ME IF I HAD A GIRLFRIEND IN SCHOOL, HE WAS ASKING ABOUT MY DAY AND THEN DO YOU HAVE A AND IN MY INNOCENCE, I'M TOLD HIM NOW.

BUT I ALSO THINK BOYS ARE KEY WELL AT 8 YEARS OLD, MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THAT BUT I SAW REACTION IN HIS FACE AND HIS REACTION.

WE THINK A BIT OF SURPRISE AND SHOCK.

BUT I MADE HIM PROMISE THAT HE WOULD NEVER TELL MY MOM.

BECAUSE I KNEW OF OUR UPBRINGING AND HOW SHE MAY HAVE REACTED TO THAT.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW THAT FELT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ALMA, WHICH IS THE OLDEST LGBTQ ORGANIZATION IN THE MIDWEST, FOUNDED IN 1989 WHEN THE AIDS EPIDEMIC.

>> WAS IN FULL SWING.

TELL ME HOW FUNDAMENTAL THE ORGANIZATION WAS DURING THAT PERIOD.

YES.

SO DURING THAT TIME AT THE HEIGHT OF THE HIV AIDS EPIDEMIC.

>> WE SAW PRIMARILY GAME AD GRANT BEING THE COMMUNITY DEVASTATED BY THIS PANDEMIC.

BUT IT WAS ALSO DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING NOT IN A GAME AND SO THE ORGANIZATION CREATED WHERE THESE MEN CAN COME TOGETHER AND FIND SUPPORT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THAT WAS ALSO CULTURALLY RATHER AND LINGUISTICALLY HAS SUPPORT GROUPS AND ALSO JUST GETTING TO BUILD COMMUNITY WITH ONE ANOTHER.

SINCE THEN, THE ORGANIZATION HAS GIRL WITH MULTIPLE PROGRAMS EVEN FOR YOUTH.

CORRECT?

CORRECT.

AND SO ORGANIZATION THAT WAS FOUNDED AS AN ORGANIZATION FOR MEN FOR LATINO MAN IS NOW AN ORGANIZATION THAT ENCOMPASSES EVERYONE WITHIN THE LAW TEAM COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOCUSING ON YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO TAKE ON THE LEADERSHIP TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THEIR THAT THEY'RE COMING FROM.

AND SO NOW WE HAVE PROGRAMMING THAT'S GEARED TOWARDS CONNECTING ARTS WITH ADVOCATING THEM THAT SPACE, GIVING THEM THE SPACE.

AND I WANT I WANT TO BRING VICTORY HERE ON THE CENTER IN HALF AND OPEN BACK IN 2007.

>> BUT YOUR HISTORY DATES BACK TO THE 1970'S AS HORIZONS.

TELL ME HOW PROGRAMMING HAS GROWN OVER THE YEARS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN THAT THE PROGRAM HAS EVOLVED QUITE A BIT TO TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY N, YOU KNOW, CHICAGO, SUCH A DIVERSITY WHERE FOLKS OF ALL SORTS OF CULTURAL LIVED EXPERIENCES.

AND, YOU KNOW, ITS A LOT ALSO ADDRESSING THE THE HIV IT.

IT HAS EVOLVED SINCE THEN.

AND NOW WE HAVE YOU HOUSING.

WE HAVE WORKFORCE TRAINING.

WE PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WE ASSURE THAT IT'S IT'S ARE TRANS SIBLINGS ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE SAYING I HAVE TO SHARE AFTER SHARE THAT ONE POINT WHEN I WAS MY EARLY TEENS, I ACTUALLY >> WAS LOOKING FOR A SPACE WHERE I WAS HAVING TROUBLE COMING UP TO MY FAMILY AND I WENT TO A GROUP.

IT WAS A GROUP SESSION AT THE CENTER ON HALSTED WERE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ARE COMING TOGETHER EXPRESSING HOW THEY WERE HAVING A HARD TIME COMING OUT.

SO IT JUST SHOWS HOW IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS ARE.

DO YOU SEE THAT WITH THE COMMUNITY IS THAT WHAT YOU HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE IN WHO GO TO THE CENTER AT ALL SAID?

>> YEAH, IT'S A IT'S A FANTASTIC PLACE FOR FOLKS TO COME FIND IN IN SUPPORTING THEMSELVES THROUGH EITHER COMING OUT YOU KNOW, DEALING WITH THEIR AND THEIR FAMILY SUPPORT AND HOW THEY'RE BEING EMBRACE ITS BOOKS GENERATIONS.

THEY FIND A PLACE AND WE FIND GROUPS SOCIAL PRIVATE PROGRAMMING THAT SUPPORTS HIM.

>> AND WE SHALL WANT TO TALK AT LEAST WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

I MEAN, THAT THE NURSE, WHICH WAS A HUGE THING BACK IN THE 90'S, WHICH WAS A SPACE FOR GET.

THEY GAVE LATINA WOMAN AN OUTLET TO COME TOGETHER.

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU STILL REMEMBER ABOUT THAT TIME?

>> GOT THE SO SO MANY YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT WHAT I REALIZE SOME OF THE THE CHANGES IN CULTURE.

YOU KNOW, THE ORGANIZATION, YOU KNOW, STARTED OUT FOLKS LIKE PUTTING SOMETHING IN A NEWSPAPER LOOKING FOR OTHER PEOPLE US THAT THERE'S A LIKE THEMSELVES.

AND FOR ME, I HAD JUST STARTED.

I STARTED COLLEGE AND I WAS JUST COMING TO TERMS WITH MY SEXUALITY.

AND THERE'S A SMALL GROUP OF FOLKS AT UNIVERSITY THAT THERE WAS WAS ALLIANCE WITHOUT THE OTHER LETTERS.

AT THAT POINT, THE UNIVERSITY NOT ALLOWING THE ORGANIZATION TO EXIST.

SO I KIND LEARNED ABOUT MY ADVOCACY THROUGH THIS GROUP, BUT ALSO WANTED TO CONNECT WITH THE LIKE THE NOSE AT THE ORGANIZATION TO.

BUT I FELT LIKE WHAT I WENT TO LATINO ORGANIZATIONS THAT I COULDN'T BRING LIKE MY SOFT IN THERE.

AND THEN WHEN I WENT TO THE GROUP, THE REALLY WORKING FOLKS OF COLOR.

SO I FELT LIKE I HAD THE LIKELY PIECES OF MYSELF AT THE DOOR.

AND I MEAN, WAS LIKE GOT TO BRING EVERY SINGLE PERSON EVERY EVERY LET THE YOU KNOW, WAS COMING TO THIS.

>> ORGANIZATION COMING TOGETHER SAID THAT YOU HOLD CONVERSATIONS.

IT WAS REALLY A SPACE TO EXPRESS YOURSELF.

PEOPLE OPEN THEIR HOME JUST IN WE WOULD MEET OVER MEAL.

SO WE'LL JUST HAVE TOPICS AND JUST COME TOGETHER AND JUST TALK CONNECT SEE PEOPLE LIKE OURSELVES.

THANK YOU.

SO SORRY.

WE RAN OUT OF TIME, BUT THANK YOU FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR EVENTS HAPPENING THIS PRIDE MONTH.

THAT'S WTW DOT COM SLASH NEWS.

UP NEXT, WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE FIRST MEXICAN BORN WOMAN TO TRAVEL TO SPACE.

A KID'S DREAMS TO BLAST OFF INTO SPACE.

ONE DAY IN OUR NEXT GUEST IS NO EXCEPTION FULFILLING THE PROMISE SHE MADE TO HERSELF AS A CHILD.

SHE BECAME THE FIRST MEXICAN BORN WOMAN TO TRAVEL TO SPACE AFTER LANDING HER DREAM JOB AT NASA AS A TEST ENGINEER.

NOW SHE'S DEDICATED TO SHOWING OTHER WOMEN THAT THE SKY'S THE LIMIT WHEN IT COMES TO REACHING THEIR GOALS.

JOINING US NOW IS SCOTT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IS SUCH AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU HERE.

I HAVE TO ASK WHAT IT LIKE TO BE THE FIRST?

I REMEMBER READING THAT THERE WAS A PLENTY YOUR LIFE MENTIONED THAT YOU AND YOUR MOM LOST EVERYTHING.

IT ALMOST FELT LIKE YOU HAD TO START OVER.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

HOW JUST IT'S SUCH AN HONOR, BUT IT'S ALSO SUCH A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> BECAUSE I KNOW SO MANY YOUNG GIRLS, SO MANY WOMEN ARE LOOKING UP TO MY STORY IN THE SAME WAY THAT I LOOKED UP TO AN WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, SHE BECAME THE FIRST HISPANIC WOMAN IN SPACE.

SO I I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE BOTH TO LOOK UP TO SOMEONE WITH SO MUCH LOVE, BUT ALSO TO BE LOOKED UP TO IN THAT SAME WAY.

SO IT IS MY GREATEST HONOR TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT ALL OF THOSE WOMEN.

WHAT DOES PERIOD OF YOUR LIFE FEEL LIKE?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE >> REALLY TRULY DID NOT THINK RETURNING TO ALL OF THIS.

I MEAN, I KNEW PEOPLE WOULD CARE ABOUT IT, OBVIOUSLY, BUT I JUST COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO THIS LEVEL.

SO THAT TRANSITION AT FIRST WAS REALLY DIFFICULT.

I MEAN, YOU GO FROM BEING AN ENGINEER, THE ONE THAT.

WORKING WITH YOUR HANDS THAT'S BEHIND THE COMPUTER SCREEN TO BEING BEHIND.

COVERS OF MAGAZINES THAT CAN EVEN IMAGINE HOW THAT HAD TO FEEL LIKE MY FIRST FEW ONCE WERE STRESSFUL AND THEY WERE NOT VERY GOOD.

THE FIRST ISSUES THAT I DID.

BUT I HAD TO I HAD TO PRACTICE JUST LIKE EVERYTHING I LIKE TO BE PREPARED AND YOU SUCH A BIG KILLER IN YOUR CAREERS.

>> WHAT ARE THOSE CONVERSATIONS LIKE NOW?

SHE HAS SEEN FLOURISH.

>> MY MOM'S STORY IS JUST STORY THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE AN EDUCATION SHOWS.

WANT TO HAVE A CLEAR.

SHE LIVED A VERY TRADITIONAL LIFE AS THAT.

STAY AT HOME.

MOM AS A HOUSEWIFE.

IT REALLY WAS BIGGEST RAIN BUT CHEAP FELTON BELIEVE THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN FOR HER.

AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CREATE TOGETHER SINCE THEN IS THE ONE OF THE FIRST FOUNDATIONS AND NONPROFITS IN MEXICO FOR LATIN AMERICA TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE OTHER SPACE-RELATED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES PEOPLE FROM OUR OWN COMMUNITY.

SHE'S BRINGING HER AND SHE'S SHE STARTED HER CAREERS IN HER 50'S AND SHE IS BY FAVORITE CO-WORKER THE HAVE TO BE VERY EMOTIONAL FOR BOTH OF YES, IT WAS REALLY FUNNY HOW IT HAPPENED, BECAUSE AS MY MOM, SHE JUST STARTED HELPING ME.

>> AND SHE WAS ALWAYS THE ONE PUSHING ME AND TELLING ME THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS IS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO WE CAN HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE WANT TO AND EVENTUALLY TURNED INTO ME REALIZING WORKING A FULL-TIME AND I TELL HER ONE DAY I FEEL REALLY BAD.

FEEL LIKE I SHOULD PAY SHE SAID PEI LI BACK TO 2022.

>> WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU STILL THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE UP IN SPACE?

>> JUST CHANGE PERCEPTION, THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED THE OVERVIEW EFFECT, WHICH IS ACTUALLY WHAT I WAS SENT TO INVESTIGATE AND IT'S A PSYCHOLOGICAL COGNITIVE SHIFT THAT HAPPENED WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE PLANET FROM THE OUTSIDE AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE TO TO BE ABLE TO NOW RECOGNIZE WHAT IT IS THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE THE FLIP OF A SWITCH WAY.

YOU IMMEDIATELY FEEL DIFFERENT.

YOU DON'T NOTICE IMMEDIATELY.

YOU NOTICE IT LATER ON THIS, THE WEEKS GO ON THE MONTHS GO ON.

AND NOW AS THE YEARS HAVE GONE ON, I REALIZED BY THE I WAS FROM 0 TO 26.

I LEFT HER IN SPACE.

I'M NOT THAT PERSON ANYMORE.

I AM A PERSON THAT IS JUST SO MUCH MORE HUMAN.

I CARE SO MUCH ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO HAVE BEST OF ABOUT LIKE SALUTE LEE, AND IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.

AND WHEN PEOPLE ASK YOU WHAT THAT FEELING LIKE, I'M SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE ASKED YOU.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM?

I TELL THEM THAT IT'S LIKE BEING BORN AGAIN.

EXCEPT THIS TIME WE GET TO REMEMBER.

I MEAN, CAN YOU REMEMBERING WHAT THAT'S LIKE?

YOU'RE IN THE ROOM AND THEN YOU COME OUT AND YOU SEE THE WORLD AND YOU'RE STARTING TO RECOGNIZE SOUNDS THAT YOU RECOGNIZE FROM WHEN YOU WERE IN THIS LITTLE SPACE AND YOU FELT COMFORTED AND YOU FELT WARM IN THE FIELD COZY AND YOU COME OUT AND YOU REALIZE THERE'S AN ENTIRE WORLD OUT HERE.

YOU HAVE NO WAY TO HELP OUT.

IT'S LIKE THAT ME REALIZING.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

I HAD NO HOW.

AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR TIME LONG WORKING AT NASA IS A DID READ THAT NASA CREATED A POSITION FOR YOU.

THEY DID.

THEY DID.

I WAS A STUDENT AT UCLA AND I HAD MY FIRST INTERVIEW AND IT WAS FOR A POSITION NOT I WAS NOT REALLY NECESSARILY >> THE QUALIFIED FOR ABOUT WHAT IT WAS FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I WAS STUDYING.

IT WAS FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING.

AND I'M AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER ON THE CIRCUIT COURT DESIGNER.

BUT I DECIDED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY GO THROUGH WITH THAT INTERVIEW EVEN THOUGH I KNEW I WAS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET THAT JOB.

BUT I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

AND THAT IS THIS IS MY OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY INTERVIEW A NASA ENGINEER.

I HAVE THIS PERSON ON THE PHONE WITH ME.

SO IF I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO GET THIS JOB, I WILL AT LEAST MAKE IT COUNT.

HE'S ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE NOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY GREAT I FEEL THAT SOMETHING YOU TALK ABOUT A LOT TO NOT BE AFRAID EXACTLY BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT KIND OF DOORS YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO OPEN FROM OPPORTUNITIES THAT >> MAYBE ARE NOT NECESSARILY FOR YOU IN THE MOMENT.

AND THANKS TO THAT CONVERSATION.

THIS ENGINEER WENT BACK TO THE ELECTRONICS TEAM.

THEY CREATED A POSITION SPECIFICALLY DESIGNING CATERED AFTER MY RESUME BECAUSE HE LIKED THAT CONVERSATION AND MY LOVE FOR WHAT THEY DID SO MUCH.

THAT'S AWESOME.

AND YOU'VE SPOKEN WITH WORLD LEADERS, KIDS OR DREAMING, ALSO HAVING THE SAME POSITIONS.

I MEAN, WHAT IS YOUR DREAM NOW FOR THE NEXT GENERATION?

SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SO INSTRUMENTAL FOR ME IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS HAS BEEN FREE LEISING THAT ENTIRE LIFE.

I THOUGHT MIGHT LIFELONG GOAL IN MY LIFE AND MISSION WAS TO GET TO SPACE.

AND WHEN THEY FINALLY DID REALIZE THAT MY MISSION WAS ACTUALLY JUST BEGINNING.

AND THAT IS I DON'T WANT TO BE THE FIRST IF I'M GOING TO BE THE LAST.

SO I'VE BEEN WORKING EVERY SINGLE DAY SINCE THEN TO CREATE.

REAL AND SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

OTHER LATINOS MAY BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

OTHER WOMEN OTHER THE LITTLE GIRLS THAT ARE CURRENTLY WATCHING US DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING.

I WANTED TO BE EASIER FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT TO THE POINT WHERE I CURRENTLY.

BECAUSE IF I'M THE FIRST AND WE'RE CURRENTLY LIVING 2024, AND ANOTHER PERSON HASN'T GONE AFTER ME.

I'M NOT GOING TO STOP UNTIL WE ACHIEVE THAT.

AND LAST QUESTION THAT I WANT TO ASK YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF NOW?

YOU TELL YOUNG LITTLE GIRL, I WOULD DEFINITELY TELL HER.

THANK YOU.

>> BECAUSE SHE WAS ALWAYS SO BOLD THAT SHE ALWAYS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WANTED.

AND WHEN SHE WAS GOING AROUND SAY ONE DAY SHE WAS GOING TO TRAVEL TO SPACE AND EVERYONE WAS LAUGHING OUT SHE JUST SAID, YOU JUST WAIT AND MINOR TO KEEP MANIFESTING AND NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR GOALS.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US ON OUR SHOW.

THANK YOU SO COURSE.

WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> WHAT AN INSPIRATION.

I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE IN SPACE.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE WWW DOT COM SLASH NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WTW NEWS.

>> AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.37, FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

NOW FROM ALL OF US HERE CHICAGO TONIGHT, LET THE NOISES.

I'M JONATHAN MANN THIS STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE.

WHEN AS MUCH >> CLOSED CAPTION MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFF.

AND CLIFFORD A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH.

PROUD TO SPONSOR PROGRAM A HALF IS PLACE AND