PRSA Latina Authors to Celebrate Anniversary of Best-Selling Anthology at Tucson Festival of Books
Professional relationships formed through PRSA have a way of shaping careers—and sometimes, they lead to something even bigger.
That’s the case with Latinas in Public Relations: Shaping Communications, Communities, and Culture, a best-selling anthology celebrating its first anniversary at the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books. The book’s lead author, Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR, Fellow PRSA, will join Southern Arizona PR professionals and former PRSA board members Jill Casey Pintor and Marisol Vindiola for a free community book signing and giveaway on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an author meet and greet on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The signing will take place at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) booth #408 during the festival, where the authors will be distributing a limited number of Amazon.
A PRSA Connection That Became a National Platform
The professional bond among Vela-Williamson, Casey Pintor, and Vindiola is rooted in PRSA. All three authors share in the anthology how PRSA played a pivotal role in their development—connecting them with mentors, expanding their leadership skills, and reinforcing the value of ethical, strategic public relations.
Pintor served three terms as Ethics Chair on the PRSA Southern Arizona Chapter Board of Directors, while Vindiola served as Sponsorship Chair. Their chapter involvement not only helped shape their careers locally but also connected them to a broader national network of Latina communicators who would eventually contribute to this book.
For PRSA members, this anthology stands as a tangible example of how professional associations create pathways—across cities, states, and career stages—that might not otherwise exist.
Credibility Grounded in Professional Excellence
Vela-Williamson’s leadership of the project carries particular significance for PRSA members. As an Accredited (APR) practitioner and PRSA Fellow, she brings recognized professional rigor and credibility to the anthology. Her career spans decades of strategic communications work, national PRSA involvement, and thought leadership—including service as a national PRSA columnist. She is also a past president of the PRSA San Antonio chapter.
That credibility is reflected in the book’s success. Latinas in Public Relations became a three-time Amazon bestseller, resonating with readers far beyond the PR profession.
“This book exists because of relationships built through PRSA,” Vela-Williamson has shared. “It’s where many of us found community, confidence, and the encouragement to step into industry leadership.”
Why This Book Matters—Now
The anthology brings together 15 Latina public relations professionals from across the country, including contributors from Tucson, Austin, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Sacramento, New Jersey, Utah, and the DC area. Each chapter offers a candid, first-person account of navigating the profession—addressing topics such as leadership transitions, imposter syndrome, first-generation experiences, and the often-unspoken need for self-advocacy.
The data underscores the urgency. While Latinas represent roughly 17% of adult women in the United States, they remain significantly underrepresented in public relations—particularly at the management level and above. Storytelling, the very skill PR professionals rely on, becomes a tool for visibility, representation, and change.
For PRSA members, the book also reinforces a familiar truth: representation in leadership doesn’t happen by accident. It grows from mentorship, professional standards, and organizations willing to invest in people.
Join the Celebration
PRSA Southern Arizona members and the broader community are invited to attend the Tucson Festival of Books and support these local and national PR leaders.
Book Signing: March 14, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Meet the Authors: March 15 - 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: UNAM Booth #408, Tucson Festival of Books
Limited complimentary copies available; books also available for pre-event purchase on Amazon.
Learn more about the anthology and its contributors at latinasinpr.com.
Festival of Books details: tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
This anniversary celebration and book signing are a reminder of the lasting impact PRSA has in bringing professionals together, elevating diverse voices, and shaping the future of public