Pregnancy complications led to bed rest and imposed limitations that turned childbirth into a near death-experience then a re-birth began.
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I went in for a book interview and left as co-host of the radio show.
Elsa Prado · In Her Own Words
From How She Did It
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I had a narcissistic father who told me I was useless. I proved him wrong through faith and God's guidance, building myself up brick by brick.
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Elsa Prado for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Elsa Prado: What does it mean to be an influential woman to me? To me, it means helping your community, paying it forward, doing things that will help everyone involved. But for most of us women, it means making a difference in everybody's life that we touch. We touch many lives starting with our families, our children, our siblings, our parents, and everybody involved. But to make a. Real difference, we need to be committed to making a difference in our communities. Whether it be doing things that are gonna solve issues or perhaps make a difference through other things that we do through our employers, the service that we provide will always be the difference of a woman that can influence other women. Empower other women and help other women make that difference by you setting the example for others and also assisting them in the process of doing the work. I believe that all of us women have such an influence on everyone that we live with, everyone that we are surrounded by. And also the environment that we live in. So go move forward and go do the best that you can to be the empowered woman and influence other people. Influence them in ways where you can inspire them and motivate them to be the best that they can be. After all, we are all a work in progress.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Elsa Prado: I want to share a piece of advice with younger women chasing their dreams. We all have dreams, but one of the things that you always have to remember is to be true to yourself. Do not try to be the image of what other people want you to be. Be genuine, be yourself. Be happy in your own skin. And if you're not happy in your own skin, work on those things about you that make you uncomfortable. Work on those things that perhaps you know, need some fixing or some polishing or some work coming from the inside. Sometimes we have things that are unresolved conflicts, issues, resent resentments, things of that nature that might impact the way we are perceived and the perception that others will have about us. That in itself will contribute to a better attitude about everything that you do and in. In the end, your attitude will be your altitude. Remember that. Whenever you want to pursue that dream and you want to get to that finish line, think about those things that you gotta do the inner work first, so that that exterior of yours is gonna shine bright. And that's what you wanna do. Shine with your own light, your own genuine, authentic self. And that is one of the things that I know will bring you success because what comes from your heart will not fail.
Full transcript available
Her Story
About Elsa
Elsa Prado is a highly skilled Spanish interpreter, translator, and community advocate based in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She serves as a Certified Court Interpreter for Cook County and holds board certification as a Medical Interpreter. With over 20 years of experience, Elsa is adept in in-person, telephone, and virtual remote interpreting, bridging language gaps for limited English speakers in both legal and medical settings. Her professional translation work extends to government agencies such as Homeland Security, the Illinois State Police, and Chicago HIDTA, as well as private law firms, making her a trusted resource in multicultural communication.
Beyond her work in interpretation and translation, Elsa is a passionate media professional and author. She hosts and produces radio programs including Alas de Amor (“Wings of Love”) on Radio Dimension Latina FM, focusing on educational content and community resources for youth and families. Previously, she co-hosted Hands Off Our Children, raising awareness of child abuse prevention and safety. As an author, Elsa has published works such as Dear Donor, Querido Donante, and Heart Stomp, sharing personal experiences and advocating for family well-being, while her literary work continues to build empathy across cultural and social boundaries.
Elsa’s dedication to service extends to volunteering and community leadership. She has supported organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Break the Silence Foundation, and the Love Not Blood Campaign, contributing to programs that address domestic violence, social justice, and child welfare. With a career grounded in service, communication, and advocacy, Elsa Prado combines her expertise in interpreting, writing, and media to empower communities, uplift voices, and foster meaningful connections across multicultural environments.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elsa
01What do you attribute your success to?
My childhood, full of abuse
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Persist until you make it
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Learn and keep on updating your knowledge.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being short staffed with a large workload.
AI is a challenge as it is not fully up to par with discerning context.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my professional and personal life center on community involvement and mentorship. Inspired by my mother, I have dedicated myself to giving back through service and advocacy. I have had the privilege of working alongside remarkable leaders such as Hilda Frontany and Dr. Nora Comstock, the founder of Las Comadres, and mentoring through organizations including Save the Children. My commitment to social service was reinforced during my time at DePaul University, where I made a personal vow to prioritize service in all that I do, including teaching Spanish and supporting educational initiatives. I have also been deeply involved in healthcare volunteer work, focusing on quality improvement and providing medical interpreting to ensure patients receive the care they need. Beyond healthcare, I am committed to immigration advocacy, partnering with the Council of Resistance to educate migrants about their rights and actively participating in protests against family separations. These experiences have strengthened my belief in the importance of service, equity, and empowering others through mentorship and advocacy. Through all of my work, I strive to make a meaningful impact in my community, fostering opportunities for growth, understanding, and social justice wherever I can.
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