Day by day, women of different races from different walks of life struggle to prove their worth, whether in politics, entertainment, or academics. But no matter what other people say, nothing can stop these brave women from being a beacon of hope and advocating for their beliefs.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve listed 9 inspiring Latinas who have made contributions to Hispanic heritage. A lot of influential Hispanic women have conquered their fears and defied the impossible — and they are the perfect role models for our children.
Together, it’s time to #BreakTheBias. Let’s celebrate and honor these incredible women!
1. Julia de Burgos
Julia de Burgos on a stamp. Photo by William Arthur Fine Station via Flickr Creative Commons.
The Afro-Puerto Rican poet and author Julia de Burgos was a vocal feminist who defied societal norms and fought for Puerto Rico’s independence. She also wrote poems about slavery and American imperialism, part of her nation’s colonial past.
Julia de Burgos was the founder of the Nuyorican movement for Puerto Rican artists, musicians, and writers like her. The aim is to educate people about various social injustices through songs, poems, and other art forms.
2. Maria Elena Salinas
Maria Elena Salinas at the 2010 US Census. Photo by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights via Flickr Creative Commons.
For more than 30 years, Maria Elena Salinas has been the most recognized Latina broadcast journalist on U.S. television. She is also a well-renowned author and news anchor known as the “Voice of Hispanic America” on the New York Times.
Maria Elena Salinas uses the platform to educate fellow Latinos about pressing issues, including immigrant children. She is an active philanthropist who constantly uses her voice to promote the peoples’ welfare. One of her advocacies is increasing the voter population in Latino communities and inspiring youth to pursue a career in journalism.
3. Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor at the John P. Frank Memorial Lecture. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons.
As the first Latina district court judge and supreme court justice of the United States, Sonia Sotomayor is a women’s rights advocate who has been helping marginalized and ethnic minorities achieve criminal justice reform. She has handled more than 3,000 cases about fraud, child abuse, and drug trafficking.
Before her successful stint as a lawyer, she graduated as summa cum laude at Princeton and attended Yale Law School. Sonia remains an inspiration to the youth as she continues to fight for the disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of the community.
4. Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta speaking at a Bill Clinton campaign rally. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons.
The American labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta has been advocating for the poor, working-class, women, and children since the 1950s. She is the founder of the National Farmworkers Association and co-founder of the United Farm Workers.
For Dolores, migrant laborers and farmers deserve equal rights and decent wages. In 1965, she led workers’ protests and fought against unjust working conditions. Dolores is also a feminist who strongly condemns gender discrimination.
5. Sylvia Rivera
Sylvia Rivera holding a pride flag. Photo by Blaise Freeman via Flickr Creative Commons.
Known as an LGBTQ+ activist, Sylvia Rivera is a Venezuelan-Puerto Rican trans woman who fights for equality, regardless of gender. She was among those who joined the historic Stonewall uprising in 1969. As a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Sylvia dedicated her life to providing shelter for the homeless members of the community.
6. Ellen Ochoa
Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa playing the flute in space. Photo by NASA on the Commons by Flickr Creative Commons.
The world’s first-ever Hispanic female astronaut Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space. She was a mission specialist and flight engineer of NASA who logged almost 950 hours in space.
When Neil Armstrong first walked the moon in 1969, Ellen was only 11 years old. From 1993 to 2002, she bagged numerous awards and space flight medals for her dedication and hard work.
7. Selena Quintanilla
Selena performing in 1994. Photo by davi santos via Flickr Creative Commons.
Born and raised in Texas, Mexican-American pop superstar Selena Quintanilla is one of the most important Latina women of all time. She was among the most influential Latin artists who introduced the beauty of Mexican Tejano music to the public.
Selena is a perfect example of a true Latina icon in a male-dominated industry. Known as the Queen of Tejano, Selena was a brilliant singer who breathed new life into Tex-Mex. Today, her music continues to inspire young women.
8. Celia Cruz
The Celia Cruz park. Photo by Wally Gobetz via Flickr Creative Commons.
One of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century is the Cuban-American singer Celia Cruz, also called the “Queen of Salsa”. She was known for electrifying audiences with her compelling on-stage performances and soulful voice.
Celia also gained a Lifetime Achievement Award for making Salsa music popular in the United States. For more than 60 years, she successfully released 23 gold albums and won four Latin Grammy awards.
9. Joan Baez
Joan Baez at 1963 March in Washington. Photo by pingnews.com via Flickr Creative Commons.
Famous for her contemporary folk music in the 1960s, Joan Baez is a legendary folk singer, civil rights activist, and human rights advocate. Her songs reflect her stand against social injustice and racial discrimination.
She has toured different countries and actively participated in various protest movements, including anti-Vietnam war rallies. Her voice has become an instrument to promote the cause of civil rights organizations.
Empower Your Kids to Inspire Change
Cheers to all the strong women that our children can look up to! Let’s inspire today’s youth to be fiercely brave and independent like these bold and powerful Latina women. By their example, may our kids feel inspired to pursue their dreams.
To all moms and single ladies out there, keep doing what you do best. We wish you a Happy International Women’s Day!
For more inspiring content and parenting tips, visit our blog.
