Hispanic Heritage Month
September, 2022
This Hispanic Heritage Month, Otak continues our tradition of amplifying staff voices whose cultures intersect with the work they do every day. Today we invite you to meet Sandy Stewart, our office manager in Colorado, who taught us about what her Hispanic heritage means to her.
Working for the Family
Sandy is Guatemalan, and she says a huge part of her upbringing was tied to the family values instilled in her from a young age. With 8 siblings as well as 3 generations of her family in the house, she learned early on about concepts like sharing, respect for elders, and caring for people at all levels in the family structure.
She emphasizes that embedded in all this was the value of work: “We didn’t come from wealth back home, so we had to work extra hard for what we had. Everyone pitched in to make sure the family was happy, and I learned about what it means to truly have a hard work ethic.”
Faith and Food
Life for Sandy wasn’t just about supporting her family. The rich culture of Guatemala provided her access to a deeply held faith. A practicing Catholic to this day, she says her religious beliefs tie directly into the values she was taught as a part of her family, and still finds it playing an important role in her identity.
Her faith runs deep, but her love of authentic Guatemalan food runs deeper, “Food is incredibly important to Guatemalan culture. The act of getting together with family, cooking together, and sharing unique dishes with the people you love is therapeutic.” She pointed us to her favorite—Pepián, a meaty, spicy stew that fuses Spanish and Mayan cultures to create what many see as Guatemala’s national dish.
Rich History
Sandy notes here how much Mayan history plays a role in not just the food, but also in the regional differences in Guatemala. According to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, 43.75% of the country is indigenous. Far from being a monolith, each region has integrated Spanish and ancient Mayan cultures in different ways. From textiles to ruins to regional dishes, this heritage is on full display through different dialects and even languages among people who live there.
It’s also apparent when talking about the natural spaces that make Guatemala unique. Sandy says locals refer to the country as a “place of eternal spring” due to the unmarked seasons and lack of extreme weather patterns. One of her favorite places, Lago De Atitlán, is home to active volcanoes and lush scenery where you can see the area untouched by the outside influences of Spanish colonization.
Culture Informs Work
When asked about how her heritage plays a role in her current work, Sandy doubled down on the work ethic instilled in her growing up. “My culture has made me responsible. It’s something I refer back to often because I’ve always had to work for the things I want, and I think that’s very valuable.” This lack of entitlement has been a driving force for Sandy, who had to contend with cultural differences when she came to the U.S. 22 years ago. Gone were the affectionate and warm norms of her home, and she had to adjust to an American culture where, to her, people are more distant. Instead of getting discouraged, her desire to earn her way has made her a role model for those who overcome cultural adversity.
In an industry that is dominated by Caucasian men with little opportunity to use her Spanish-speaking skills, Sandy acknowledges this reality while simultaneously saying it doesn’t define her, “I feel lucky to have the job I have. I was given a shot early on when I moved here, and I’ve never felt prejudice or like I haven’t been treated with respect. Instead, I get the opportunity to be myself.”
Otak celebrates Sandy and all that she’s done to deserve an essential place as a member of our staff. We proudly laud our employee’s cultures and unique perspectives, and Sandy provides that every day.