Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, provides an opportunity to learn and celebrate the contributions of Hispanic Americans in the United States. Hispanic individuals have made valuable contributions in many different fields ranging from politics to the arts. In this article, I will spotlight some inspiring Hispanic figures who have made a valuable difference in our country.
César Chávez
César Chávez was an influential labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) union in 1962. He advocated for migrant farmworkers’ rights who experienced horrible working conditions, racism, and low pay. Through nonviolent protests, fasts, organized strikes, and boycotts he was able to achieve better working conditions, higher wages, and more labor rights for farmworkers. Chávez continues to inspire present day labor and civil rights movements in the United States [1].
Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) alongside César Chávez. She played a key role in helping farmworkers get more rights. Huerta’s work in organizing the 1965 Delano grape strike helped gain national support for improving the life of farmworkers. Her slogan, "Sí, se puede" ("Yes, we can"), became the official rallying cry of the UFW and other later social justice causes. Huerta has also advocated for immigration reform and women’s rights. She is currently 94 years old [2].
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente was a Puerto Rican baseball player, who became the first Latin American player inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Clemente was also a philanthropist who used his wealth to provide disaster relief and help marginalized communities in Latin America. Unfortunately, he tragically passed away in a plane crash while he was helping earthquake victims in Nicaragua [3]. His legacy still lives on through his Roberto Clemente Foundation which provides scholarships, disaster relief, veterans support, free baseball clinics, and much more [4].
Ellen Ochoa
Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman to travel to space in a nine-day mission in 1993. A skilled engineer and scientist, she became the first Hispanic Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Ochoa has inspired many to pursue STEM careers. She has won numerous awards in her life, including NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. She is currently 66 years old [5].
Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic woman to serve in the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2009. Her rise from a modest childhood in the Bronx to being in one of the highest legal positions in the US, has inspired many Hispanics to go after their dreams. She has always been a vocal advocate for women and Latinos. Sotomayor is currently 70 years old [6].
Pablo Alvarado
Pablo Alvarado, an El-Salvadoran immigrant, has advocated for the rights of low-wage immigrant workers in the U.S. Working in low-paying jobs and dealing with bad working conditions inspired him to help others. His work with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), as Co-Executive Director, has helped improve workplace protections, policies, and labor practices for immigrant communities. Alvarado has brought attention to the struggles that immigrant workers still face today. Currently, he is 38 years old [7].
Antonia Novello
Antonia Novello is the first Hispanic and first female Surgeon General of the United States. She was instrumental in helping with the AIDs epidemic, ending tobacco smoking, and childhood immunizations. Novello deeply cares about health equity, especially for minority communities, women, and children. Currently, she is 80 years old. [8].
These inspiring individuals highlight a small portion of the countless Hispanic Americans who have made America a better place. Their legacies continue to inspire new generations and remind us of the difference we can all make in the world.
References:
Smithsonian Magazine. "César Chávez: A Life Devoted to Helping Farm Workers." Smithsonian Magazine, March 28, 2012. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/cesar-chavez-a-life-devoted-to-helping-farm-workers-84223014/.
History.com Editors. "How Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez Organized the Delano Grape Strike." History, August 30, 2018. https://www.history.com/news/dolores-huerta-cesar-chavez-farm-workers.
Biography.com Editors. "Roberto Clemente: Life and Death of a Baseball Legend." Biography, September 25, 2019. https://www.biography.com/athletes/roberto-clemente-life-death.
Roberto Clemente Foundation. "Roberto Clemente Foundation." Roberto Clemente Foundation. Accessed September 13, 2024. https://robertoclementefoundation.org/.
Biography.com Editors. "Ellen Ochoa." Biography, October 15, 2019. https://www.biography.com/scientists/ellen-ochoa.
Biography.com Editors. "Sonia Sotomayor." Biography, September 27, 2019. https://www.biography.com/legal-figures/sonia-sotomayor.
National Day Laborer Organizing Network. "Staff." National Day Laborer Organizing Network. Accessed September 13, 2024. https://ndlon.org/about-us/staff/.
National Women's History Museum. "Antonia Novello." National Women's History Museum. Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/antonia-novello.
