Calladita No More
“Calladita No More” is a powerful collection of stories about the lived experiences of a Latina who dared to dream big—only to find that the world wasn’t built for her ambitions. Through the lens of familiar Latinx cultural sayings, or refranes, Hady Méndez shares the lessons she learned navigating identity, leadership, and belonging in a world fueled by bias, discrimination, racism, and sexism.
Each chapter holds a different refrán and lesson, blending personal storytelling with cultural reflection to spotlight hard-earned insights on empowerment, resilience, and reclaiming one’s voice. This is not a step-by-step guide. It is a deeply personal narrative—an offering of wisdom and encouragement to Latinas and Women of Color who are carving their own paths through systems that were never designed with them in mind.
Hady’s journey is a testament to what is possible when one learns to champion themselves, celebrate their successes, foster community, and prioritize self-care. Written with joy, clarity, and mucho orgullo, the book invites readers to reflect on the lessons they’ve learned and the insights they’ve gained.
This book is a call to remember who you are, where you come from, and the power you already hold. You are not alone on this journey. The wisdom and strength you desire are already within.
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Hady Méndez
About Hady Méndez
Hady Mendez is a NY-based best-selling author, Latina speaker, and ERG coach. She is the founder and CEO of Boldly Speaking LLC, a company that is transforming the professional experiences of underestimated professionals by providing them with the skills to rise and thrive in the corporate world or in whatever path they choose.
With a diverse career spanning over twenty-five years, Hady has served as head of equality for a major tech firm, held multiple customer-facing roles in high tech and financial services, served as a leader and advisor across various ERGs, dedicated two years to working with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women internationally, and served as Community School Director at an elementary school in the South Bronx.
Hady’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Manhattan College, and graduate certificates in eBusiness and eCommerce from New York University and New Jersey Institute of Technology, respectively. She also holds a Family Development Credential from the University of Connecticut.
Hady’s essays have been featured in Business Insider and #WeAllGrow Latina. Her thought leadership has been leveraged by organizations such as the Diversity Leadership Alliance, PowerToFly, Prospanica, and many others. Hady is a Latinas in Tech Luminarias 2022 honoree, a Women of ALPFA 2023 Latinas to Watch, a 2024 LinkedIn Top Coaching & Mentoring Voice, and the recipient of HACE’s 2025 Mujer Maravilla Award.
In her free time, Hady is an amateur street art photographer and an avid podcast listener.
Learn MoreWhat People Are Saying
What People Are Saying
Calladita No More feels like sitting with a wise amiga who sees you, affirms you, and lovingly challenges you to rise. Hady Méndez opens each chapter with a refrán, grounding us in our culture and reminding us that our ancestral wisdom has always been there to guide us. Her tone is warm and invitational, but don’t be mistaken because this is a bold call to reject the silence that’s been expected of us for too long. Hady masterfully weaves personal storytelling with collective truths, making this book both a mirror and a map.
We don't need another manual on how to play the game, we need liberation. And Calladita No More delivers exactly that. Hady Méndez isn’t just telling her story, she’s calling out the systems that have kept so many of us quiet, small, and overworked. As someone who has spent years dissecting the impact of Calladita Culture®, I cheered while reading every page. This book is both a mirror and a path, a sacred tool for those ready to remember who they are. It’s time to speak louder, take up more space, and rewrite the narrative. And Hady hands us the mic.
Bold, authentic and empowering. Hady’s Calladita No More is a must-read guidebook for all women of color looking to reclaim their power in the modern workplace.
Calladita No More is a breath of fresh air; a powerful and honest exploration of growth, identity, and comunidad. As Hady Méndez shares her journey, you feel like you’re walking alongside her, learning through her experiences and thoughtful guidance. This book is both a call to awareness and a guide toward empowered action, not by leaving your identity, culture, and values behind, but by harnessing them as a guiding light.
