Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: 5 Hispanic Activists Who Are Creating Change
The story of America is incomplete if it doesn’t include the vast contributions of those whose ancestors come from Mexico, the Caribbean, Spain and Central and South America. Whether it's music, the arts, entertainment, activism, education, or sports--the cultural contributions of Hispanic communities are dynamic and inspiring. To honor the numerous accomplishments of the Latino community, Hispanic Heritage Month was created.
Formally recognized initially as National Hispanic Heritage Week, President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill into law in 1968 and the first commemoration took place on September 15 and 16. Eventually, the week expanded to a month (September 15 to October 15 ) in 1988 and was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
The date 'September 15' was selected for the commemoration because it marked the anniversary of the independence of Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua which became the Federal Republic of Central America. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
In our current political and cultural landscape, Hispanic Americans are on the frontlines of immigration reform, voting rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, racial equality, economic justice, and more--seeking to make a just society for all.
To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, BET.com spotlighted 5 Hispanic activists who are creating change.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
In Congress, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez New York, 14th has gained a reputation for being a staunch and outspoken advocate for progressive ideals. As one of the faces of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, AOC champions Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, a federal jobs guarantee, a Green New Deal, and the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Born in the Bronx, New York to a Puerto Rican family, AOC graduated from Boston University and launched her activist career working for the National Hispanic Institute where she would become the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session Secretary of State. Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress at 29 years old. In June 2018, AOC defeated incumbent Joe Crowley disturbing the political establishment with a campaign driven by grassroots volunteers and donations. In January 2021, Rep. AOC was elected for her second term in Congress. Most recently, AOC spoke at the Democratic National Convention where she gave her full endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy for President.
Irene Godinez
With almost two decades of political and community organizing we highlight Irene Godinez, the founder and Executive Director of Poder NC Action, a values-based 501(c)(4) organization. Born in North Carolina and of Mexican descent, she was previously the Co-Executive Director at LEAD NC Institute, where she worked diligently to raise up a new generation of community and civic leaders in the state of North Carolina. Godinez was also the North Carolina Latino Vote Director with the Hillary for America Campaign in 2016, and was a director at Planned Parenthood Health Systems and Reform Immigration FOR America. Godinez has also served as a member of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina.
Sara Mora
As one of the most sought-after voices in the fight for the rights of immigrants, Sara Mora was the co-president of Women’s March Youth Empower, and the founder of Who Is Our 2020, a social platform for promoting youth voter turnout and engagement. She founded Population MIC, a media platform that fosters conversations about immigration and challenges norms. After the Trump administration ended DACA in 2018, Mora was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the presidential administration. She is currently in the United States as a DACA Dreamer. Among her many accolades, Mora was named one of the top 10 Young Latinx leaders changing the world by Pop Sugar and Do Something.
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Isa Noyola
Isa Noyola is a trans-Latina activist and a national leader for LGBT immigrant rights. Noyola's mission is to fight for the release of transgender women from ICE detention, bring an end to all deportations and mass incarceration and end transphobia in the Latinix community. Self-described as a translatina, activist, two-spirit, queer, "jota", "muxerista", and cultural organizer, Noyola is the deputy director at Mijente, “a political, digital, and grassroots hub for Latinx and Chicanx organizing and movement building.” Noyola is also the director of Programs at the Transgender Law Center. Additionally, Noyola serves on the advisory boards of Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement, El/La Para TransLatinas, BreakOUT, and the International Trans Fund.
Anthony D. Romero
Since a week before the September 11, 2001 attacks, Anthony D. Romero has been the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, the nation’s preeminent organization committed to defending the civil liberties of its citizens. He is the first Latino and gay man to hold the position. Born in New York City to parents from Puerto Rico, Romero was the first in his family to graduate from high school. He went on to Stanford University Law School and the Princeton University School of Public Policy and International Affairs. As head of the ACLU, the organization has experienced unprecedented growth during his tenure. The organization has expanded its initiative to include racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and privacy rights. Under Romero, the ACLU launched a new Human Rights program and a division dedicated to privacy issues stemming from new surveillance technology which include data mining and the collection of genetic data.
