TAMPA — For years, Sieldy Maldonado’s father worked far away from his daughter to build a life in the United States. He arrived from Guatemala 24 years ago when she was just 8 months old, starting out as a pizza cook, working as a chef on cruise ships, and eventually establishing his own landscaping and lawn care business.
Today, his daughter is studying at the University of South Florida with the goal of becoming an immigration attorney. For Sieldy, achieving that goal is also a way to honor her father’s hard work.
Their story is defined by separation, sacrifice and a relationship that grew stronger over the years. Before emigrating, her father had to start working in the fields in his native country at just 10 years old to help his mother and support his three siblings.
“He always wanted to become a doctor, but his family’s financial circumstances wouldn’t allow it,” Sieldy said.
When she learned that part of her father’s story, she decided to turn it into a source of motivation for her own professional life.
“I want him to be proud of the daughter he has,” she said.
Their relationship also evolved over time. After a childhood marked by distance, Sieldy says her father is now one of her greatest sources of support, describing him as her friend and confidant.
Support from HPWA
It was during this journey that the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association came into the picture. HPWA is a nonprofit organization founded in Tampa in 1990 by a group of Hispanic professional women dedicated to creating professional and personal development opportunities for other women in the community.
Sieldy participated as a mentee in the HPWA mentorship program in 2025. There, she received professional and personal guidance, as well as support in securing a scholarship that helped make her enrollment at USF possible.
She also had the opportunity to be mentored by professionals such as Lilibeth Cain, a Tampa-based attorney, who introduced her to courtroom work and gave her firsthand insight into the realities faced by those in need of legal assistance.
Currently, Sieldy works as a legal assistant for attorney Elizabeth Cuenca, who was also involved with HPWA and has become another one of her mentors.
For the student, these experiences have confirmed that her professional future lies in serving the immigrant community.
A career with purpose
Her decision to pursue a career in immigration law is linked to her own family history and the experiences of other immigrants she has met.
Sieldy notes that many people arrive in the United States after facing economic hardship, violence or complex family situations in their home countries. Her goal is to become a professional capable of supporting and advocating for them within the legal system.
Her experience in Guatemala also influenced this decision. She grew up in a community plagued by gang violence and witnessed firsthand the threats faced by young people who refused to join these groups.
“I want to be a source of support when I become a professional,” she stated. For her, a commitment to immigrants goes beyond merely expressing a public stance; it involves providing legal guidance and becoming a voice for those navigating immigration processes who need direction.
HPWA seeks to expand its community
Sieldy’s story served as an example of the impact HPWA aims to have on young Latina women; it was shared during a recent organization meeting designed to welcome first-time attendees.
Brenda Báez Costa, the current president of HPWA, explained that the meeting aimed to provide a deeper look at the organization’s work, its programs, and the various ways the community can get involved. “HPWA is not just an organization, not just a name; it is a community,” noted Báez Costa.
During the event, the organization’s plans for the year were presented, and the process of providing support to students with financial needs was explained.
The mentorship program provides participants with 10 months of guidance from a Latina professional in their field of study. Students also have access to activities designed to strengthen their personal and professional skills; upon completing the process, they may apply for scholarships, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
HPWA works specifically with young Latinas who are first-generation college students — a group for whom guidance from professionals with similar backgrounds can be a vital tool during their education.
The organization is also looking to recruit new mentors and program participants. According to its president, registration for students interested in becoming mentees will remain open until Sept. 11.
New members, new opportunities
Among the first-time attendees at the meeting was Laura Garrigosa, owner of LC House The Beauty Bar, located at the West Shore Grand Hotel. Garrigosa attended to learn more about HPWA’s work and determine how she might contribute in the future.
She is particularly interested in supporting young Hispanic women with limited financial resources.
The business owner believes that those who have overcome hardships have a responsibility to remember those experiences and use their resources to help those just starting out.
“It is extremely important to support those who are coming up,” she stated. Her participation reflects one of HPWA’s key goals: expanding the network of professionals and members willing to contribute knowledge, time, and resources to strengthen opportunities for the next generation.
A chain of opportunities
For Sieldy, the support she has received represents much more than just a scholarship or a mentorship experience.
HPWA allowed her to connect with professionals, gain insight into the practice of law, and begin building a network that is now part of her professional preparation. Her goal is to ensure that this opportunity doesn’t end with her.
Once she becomes an immigration attorney, she hopes to support others arriving in the United States with stories similar to her family’s.
As she works toward that goal, she keeps in mind the sacrifices made by her father — a man who began working as a child and left Guatemala behind in search of a different future.
He was unable to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor; his daughter, however, is building her own.
Along this journey, Sieldy has found a community in HPWA that has enabled her to transform one generation’s hard work into new opportunities for the next.