We all knew that Mamita Mala (otherwise known as VL’s very own Maegan Ortiz) was hot, but it was high time we got some third party validation. Well, folks, that day has come, as la Mala herself has been chosen as one of the REAL hot 100.

The REAL hot 100 is:

The REAL hot 100 is a list featuring young women from around the country who are breaking barriers, fighting stereotypes, and making a difference in their communities or the nation.

This project will not only combat the popular notion that all young women have to offer is their ability to appeal to men, but it will also highlight the important — but often overlooked — work young women are doing.

That’s right, folks. Being “hot” goes way beyond the surface and our Mala is all that and a bag-o-papas. From the REAL hot 100 site:

Who is she?

Maegan Elizabeth Ortiz aka “la Mala”, 28, Rego Park, NY

What makes her REALLY hot?

Maegan is a freelance writer, performance poet and activist. She has been advocating since her teens organizing around police brutality and racial violence with the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rigths in NYC. She held leadership positions in coalition building in justice committees. In her local community, while dropping off or picking up her school aged daughter she has been working to ensure access to information and services for non- English speaking parents in the public schools. This REALLY hot woman is currently is a contributor for vivirlatino.com a daily publication featuring culture, politics, style and entertainment for the diverse Latino and Latina community–and has a personal blog at mamitamala.blogspot.com. Maegan is making a difference by actively creating radical women of color network online and in real life, of mamas on non-mamas alike writing and organizing as a cultural tool for social change around.

The awards ceremony for the REAL hot 100 will take place on August 12th. I’m sure we’ll have pictures!

Congratulations Mala!