Damas Latinas and Friends members (from left to right): Elsa Mora, Aireen Aguilar, Sylvia Flores, Mireya Springer and Nexidia Feliciano (not in picture).

What happens when a women-only organization opens its doors to men? First, it changes its name.

That’s why Damas Latinas (Latin Ladies), the 10-year-old non-profit community organization that grouped Latinas in Columbus, is now known as Damas Latinas and Friends. The organization, whose goal is to encourage Latin@ youth to pursue degrees in higher education, focuses its efforts on raising funds for scholarships, which they award during an annual event.

“The organization is becoming more important every day,” says co-founder Vilma Zayas, of Peru. “It continues to strengthen each year.”

To raise funds for its scholarship program, the organization participates in the Festival Latino, holds fundraising events such as cookouts and dinners, and has a yearly scholarship award dinner where they also have a silent auction and raffle. At this event alone they generally raise about $2,000, members said.

Applications for the scholarship program, whose deadline is March 31, are sent to Latin@ students in the Greater Columbus area between December and January. Then, the interview process begins and by April the scholarship committee picks the winners who receive their awards in May.

“Student applicants have to give 100 percent and have the mental aptitude to succeed,” said co-founder Elsa Mora, of Ecuador.

In the 2005-06 school year, Damas Latinas awarded more than $3,000 in scholarships to students from Peru, Chile, Colombia and Mexico who attend different institutions, including the University of Arizona, Ohio University and Columbus State Community College. Another $1,250 went to two students who competed for the Cervantes Scholarship Award, which is offered to the sons and daughters of organization members in good standing or to the members themselves. One recipient was a sophomore from Ohio State.

As its name suggests, Damas Latinas and Friends is an inclusive organization and members say that anyone interested can join them. They especially encourage students and young people to become involved in the organization. To receive an application to join, those interested can send an e-mail to dlatinasorg@mail.com.