On Latina History Day, Oscar-Nominated 'Encanto' Producer Yvett Merino Empowers Young Latinas to Dream Big

Hundreds of women attended the 31st Annual Latina History Day Conference in Los Angeles Friday, including Oscar-nominated film Encanto's producer Yvett Merino.

The event was hosted by Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), which aims to recognize the past and present achievements of Latinas while embracing the rich diversity of the Latina experience, Hola reported.

During the conference's Breakfast Program, Merino and Encanto's co-writer and co-director, Charise Castro Smith, gave insight into their lives and tried to inspire other Latinas to dream big.

Yvett Merino's Career

Growing up in Southern California's Norwalk, Yvett Merino had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. She said her parents did not go to college, and they simply worked hard so they could survive.

Merino's machinist father and office manager mother were both hail from Mexico. Merino noted that her parents' only piece of advice was to "go to college and get a job." Left with no choice, she said she kind of figured it out on her own.

After attending college and finishing sociology at UC Santa Barbara, she said she worked as a social worker for several years but felt unsatisfied. She started temping around and eventually landed a long-term job at Disney animation, working as an assistant in the technology department.

She was promoted as an administrative manager while happily working at the studio, but still, she "didn't really feel fulfilled." She realized, however, that this was "work." Merino's job became less and less challenging for her over time, and she was no longer enjoying it.

She was fortunate to kind of switch jobs, and because of that, she met a producer who ended up being one of the producers on "Tangled." She was then offered a job in the editing department, and that's how she landed in production.

She worked as a production supervisor in Editorial on "Tangled," with the stereo team "The Lion King 3D," and then to "Wreck-It Ralph," where she worked in Technical Animation, Effects, and Lighting.

Yvett Merino was later promoted to production manager on the Academy Award-winning "Big Hero 6" and "Moana."

Yvett Merino's Message to All Latina Women

Throughout her more than 20-year-career in Walt Disney Animation Studios, Yvett Merino learned how important it is to build "your community." She said it was about "allowing people, letting people know that the roles are out there," but also making them feel welcome.

Merino said she did not even dare to dream an Oscar, as she never saw someone who looked like her coming up on a stage. But now, she wants people to know that it is possible.

"For any little girl out there watching, who's watching and seeing that, hey, there's somebody that didn't come with any connections in Hollywood, didn't come knowing anyone, that it's completely possible. It's a lot of work, but it's possible," she noted as reported by HOLA.

When asked about the message she wanted to share with other Latina women in the room, Yvett Merino said: "Find who you are."

Aside from Merino and Smith, other keynote speakers in the event that had a theme "Empower Your Inner Genius" were Erika L. Sanchez, the author of "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," and prominent Latino elected officials like Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis.

Recognizing the power of Latina women, Los Angeles has declared March 11 as Latina History Day.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

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