Over the next four weeks, we will devote time and space on our public platforms to highlight and honor descendants from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America who comprise an important piece of the American fabric. We are humbled and delighted to recognize their significant and powerful contributions to our country — a commitment we mean to carry forward not just this month, but every day of the year.
Celebrating Ellen Ochona, October 13, 2019
To continue our celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’d like to highlight Ellen Ochoa, a trailblazing trailblazing figure in Hispanic history. Ochoa was an engineer who, after graduating with master’s and Doctorate degrees from Stanford University, was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 1990. Three years later, she made history as the first Hispanic woman in space, serving as a mission specialist on the space shuttle Discovery. She later served as director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center from 2013-2018. We thank Ms. Ochoa for paving the way for the many young Hispanic scientists, engineers, and astronauts following in her formidable footsteps.
Celebrating Desi Arnez, October 7, 2019
Today’s #HispanicHeritageMonth historical figure is Desi Arnaz. Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born musician, actor, and television producer, best known for creating, writing, and starring in America’s beloved sitcom, “I Love Lucy,” with his then-wife, Lucille Ball. With their production company, Desilu Productions, Arnaz and Ball pioneered the lucrative concept of television series reruns, produced other popular shows like “December Bride” and “Star Trek” and, at the time, were two of TV’s most successful entrepreneurs. We are grateful for Desi Arnaz’s work in bringing laughter, love, and life to American television for decades.
Celebrating Sandra Cisneros, September 30, 2019
Sandra Cisneros is a poet, novelist, essayist, and children’s book author. Cisneros was born in Chicago and has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico. She is best known for her American Book Award-winning “The House on Mango Street,” the very first novel she published. This coming-of-age story follows a young girl, Esperanza Cordero, growing up in a Puerto Rican neighborhood of Chicago, and it has been widely adopted into primary school curriculums throughout the U.S. In it, her storytelling style weaves together multiple vignettes, infusing each piece with creative and vibrant imagery and metaphor. During #HispanicHeritageMonth, we are grateful for the gift of Cisneros’ beautiful writing.
Celebrating Sonia Sotomayor, September 24, 2019
In celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we are paying tribute to Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. Sotomayor grew up in the Bronx as the daughter of Puerto Rican parents. At the tender age of 10, she was inspired to become an attorney by the television show “Perry Mason,” a path she began to forge with determination. Fast forward to the moment when Obama nominated Sotomayor in May 26, 2009. He remarked on her strength of identity: “She has never forgotten where she began. Never lost touch with the community that supported her. What Sonya will bring to the court then is not only the knowledge and experience acquired over a course of a brilliant legal career, but the wisdom accumulated from an inspiring life’s journey.” Three months later, Sotomayor was appointed to the Supreme Court. She was part of the ruling majority to protect the Affordable Care Act twice, and also participated in the majority ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states under the fourteenth amendment. We are thankful for Sonia Sotomayor’s determination that inspires positive change and her commitment to providing justice in this country.
Hispanic Heritage Month Events:
October 12
Taste of Latin America