Yeni Silva Renteria

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
What I love most about my age is the richness of my lived experiences. I’ve traveled, tasted new flavors, and witnessed the full spectrum of life, pain, fear, joy, and everything in between. Each year has given me the chance to see more, feel more, and understand more. I’ve learned that age is just a number, and the older I get, the more I truly enjoy life.

DO YOU LIKE BEING 40+?
I absolutely love being 40+. Every year feels like a gift, an opportunity to keep growing, dreaming, and becoming more of who I want to be. I’m grateful for the wisdom, confidence, and peace that comes with time, and for the freedom to live life on my own terms while continuing to chase my dreams and show up as my authentic self.

WHEN IN YOUR LIFE, SO FAR, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
I’ve accomplished things I never imagined I could and embraced opportunities I never thought would come my way. Over time, I’ve learned to be bold, to be myself, unapologetically and without fear of judgment. My confidence and self-love were born from fear and pain, but they’ve grown into something powerful. Now, they’ve become the most freeing and beautiful feelings I’ve ever known.

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AT THIS AGE?
I no longer worry about what others think of me, I am who I am, and I genuinely enjoy it. For a long time, I wanted to learn how to dance, so I finally decided to take salsa classes. That simple decision opened up a whole new source of joy in my life. I’ve met wonderful people who inspire me to be a better dancer, one step at a time, and, in many ways, a better version of myself.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?
My superpower is staying positive, even when life gets hard. I’ve gone through things that could have defeated me, but they didn’t. Every challenge has made me stronger and more grounded. Through it all, I’ve learned that true strength isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising every time, with kindness still in your heart.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My greatest achievement is my educational journey.
I moved to Los Angeles at a young age, where my high school had a student body five times the size of the town where I was born in Mexico. As an English learner, few resources were available to students like me, and no one ever told me I could go to college, or even that I could graduate high school.
When I graduated, I was one of the few who made it. Many of my classmates lost their way, but I never stopped loving learning. Years later, after moving to Kansas, I met mentors who believed in me and encouraged me to pursue higher education. While raising a family and working full-time, I earned my master’s in social work from Wichita State University and became a Licensed Master Social Worker.
There were many nights I wanted to give up, but I kept showing up, through tears, exhaustion, and doubt. That degree represents my persistence, my resilience, and the fulfillment of my American dream.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My children are my greatest treasure. They give me life and strength to keep going. Everything I do is to show them that life is beautiful, that even through challenges, there is always joy to be found. I want them to know that true happiness comes from embracing each moment and living it fully.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
My idea of perfect happiness is being in a space where I can be myself, and where others feel free to be themselves too. We live in a world full of challenges, but to me, true happiness is feeling safe while also creating a safe space for others to grow and thrive.

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU STRONGER?
I was married for 24 years. I got married very young and, at the time, I didn’t really know what a healthy relationship looked like. I stayed because of love — and because of cultural expectations. There were beautiful moments in our marriage, but also some very dark ones.
There came a point when I felt like I was simply watching my life happen instead of living it. I was so disconnected from myself that it felt like I could step outside my body and just observe. When you grow up believing that marriage is forever, no matter what, you learn to accept things and keep going.
But when I turned 40, something clicked. I started seeing myself differently. I noticed my body changing, my hair, and I realized I had stopped smiling. I was so hard on myself that I avoided mirrors, photos, and even laughter. That’s when I began to really think about my future.
I had an honest conversation with myself. Where do you see yourself? Where do you want to be? Are you happy?
The answers shocked me. But I hesitated because of my family, my religion, my culture. What will people think? What will they say?
I sat with those questions for a long time. And one day, I finally said to myself, this is it. I’m done. And when I say I’m done, I mean it.
I got divorced. I worked four jobs. And I started doing things that made me happy again. I still believe in marriage, and I believe in love, but I don’t believe in control or abuse.
The transition wasn’t easy. It was painful and frightening, but I didn’t stop. I started believing in myself again. I learned to enjoy time alone. I smiled. I laughed. And I rebuilt myself piece by piece, with confidence, with self-love, and with hope that my journey would inspire my children and others around me to choose themselves, too.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Don’t be afraid — God has a perfect plan for you. Trust Him. There will come a time in your life when you’ll understand the why behind everything.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
Choose yourself above all. The children will grow up. The job can be replaced. Your partner may stay, or may not. But you… you are all you’ve got. So love her. Cherish every moment. Live the life YOU want, not the one someone else wants for you.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVORITE QUOTE?
“I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious.”
~Albert Einstein

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
What I value most in my friends is their openness, honesty, and unwavering support, especially in the moments when I need them the most.

I am blessed to have a strong support system. I have friends who have become family — they inspire me, walk with me, love me, and keep me grounded every day. There’s no way I’d be where I am without my people; I am shaped by their encouragement and inspiration.

HOW DID YOU CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
I was born in a small community in Mexico and moved to Los Angeles when I was very young and curious. Back then, I was quiet, reserved, and insecure. I would sit at the back of the class, never raise my hand, and just listen and learn. As I grew older, I began turning my curiosity into action. I started asking questions and wondering if things could be different. In grad school, I focused on learning and following the rules, but over time, I began to see how some systems failed the very families I wanted to help. As a therapist, I became frustrated watching families struggle with policies that caused more harm than help. That’s when I found my voice. I became more vocal, more open to speaking about injustice. I got involved in the community, advocating for people’s rights and, eventually, being recognized as an activist. Through these experiences, I gained confidence — not just professionally, but personally. I am no longer the quiet girl sitting in the back of the room. I am direct, outspoken, and unafraid to lead.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
In leadership, clarity is critical. I wish I could change my tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt too often. At times, I knew things weren’t going well, yet I gave too many chances, which sometimes led to a lack of clarity. I wish I could make decisions more consistently based on facts rather than my heart.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS?
I hope for more leaders, leaders who are also good followers. I hope for greater collaboration and mutual support. It truly takes a village, yet too often we operate in silos. I hope future generations cultivate compassion and carry values that will make the world a better place, that each of us learns to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.