Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to commemorate the cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic communities everywhere!
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15th through October 15th. The celebration begins on September 15th to mark the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16th, and Chile, on September 18th.
Through sports, civil rights, science, medicine, law, and so many other fields, Hispanic people have influenced and inspired us all. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we put together a list of 5 Hispanic icons who made an impact on the world:
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente was a Puerto Rican baseball player and humanitarian who began his professional baseball career after graduating from high school.
In 1954, Clemente signed with the Major League Baseball (MLB) team the Brooklyn Dodgers, but he was sent to the minor leagues for the season despite his incredible talent. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates the following year and made his major league debut in 1955. He spent the remainder of his 18-season career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became one of the most iconic outfielders in baseball history.
Clemente won 12 consecutive Golden Glove Awards for his defense abilities, and he was a 15-time All Star. In 1966, he won the National League Most Value Player (MVP) award. In 1971, he helped lead the Pirates to a World Series victory and won the World Series MVP title. In 1972, he became the first Hispanic player to reach 3,000 career hits.
Off the field, Clemente used his platform to advocate for racial equality and social justice. He was proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and stood up against segregation and inequality. He also used his fame to support charitable efforts and disaster relief, particularly in Latin American communities.
Unfortunately, Clemente passed away in a plane crash in 1972 while delivering aid and relief supplies to Nicaragua following an earthquake. He became the first Latino player in the Baseball Hall of Fame after he was inducted posthumously in 1973.
Clemente’s outstanding baseball skills and passionate commitment to social justice continue to inspire people today. The Roberto Clemente Award is given every year to the MLB player who “best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”
Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez was a Mexican-American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist. His parents were migrant farm workers, which means they had to move regularly, and Chavez often had to move schools. On weekends, he worked in the fields with his family, and after graduating from eighth grade, he dropped out of school to be a farm worker full-time.
As a farm worker, Chavez experienced the unfair working conditions firsthand. The work was difficult, often involving being stooped over for hours in the hot sun, and it did not pay very well. Chavez and his family had to live in overcrowded housing with no electricity or running water.
In 1962, Chavez and Dolores Huerta founded the National Farm Workers Association (which later became the United Farm Workers). The goal of the organization was to improve wages and working conditions for farm workers.
Using nonviolent means such as strikes, boycotts, and protest marches, Chavez helped farm workers receive better treatment. In 1965, the United Farm Workers joined the Delano Grape Strike. The strike lasted for five years and gained national attention and support. In 1970, grape farm workers finally gained better pay and working conditions, which eventually led to improvements for all farm workers.
Cesar Chavez played an important role in leading the strike. He helped farm workers and laborers across the United States receive the justice, equality, and dignity they deserved.
Mario Molina
Mario Molina was a Mexican chemist known for his groundbreaking work in atmospheric chemistry (the study of what the Earth’s atmosphere is made up of) and environmental science (the study of how the natural world works). He earned his doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of California.
In the 1970s, Molina worked with American chemist F. Sherwood Rowland to discover the effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on Earth’s atmosphere. CFCs are chemicals used in everyday products like refrigerators and aerosol sprays. The chemists found that CFCs were damaging the Earth’s ozone layer, which is a vital shield that protects us from the sun’s harmful rays.
Molina and Rowland published their findings in 1974 and inspired an international movement to address the issue. In 1987, many countries signed the Montreal Protocol, which was an agreement to stop using CFCs and other harmful chemicals.
In 1995, Molina and Rowland, along with a Dutch chemist named Paul J. Crutzen, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their findings on CFCs. Molina was the first Mexican-born scientist to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This was also the first time a Nobel Prize was awarded for work in environmental science.
Molina won many other awards, including the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. He became dedicated to protecting the environment and emphasized the importance of making decisions based on scientific evidence.
Antonia Novello
Antonia Novello is a Puerto Rican doctor and public health leader. She earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico and completed her training in nephrology (the study of kidneys) at the University of Michigan. She worked as a pediatrician before joining the U.S. Public Health Corps in 1978.
In 1990, Novello was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to be the U.S. surgeon general. The U.S. surgeon general is the nation’s doctor and the government spokesperson on public health matters. Their job is to keep U.S. citizens healthy and safe. Novello was the first woman and first Hispanic to hold this position.
As surgeon general, Novello focused on the health of women, children, and minorities. She raised awareness for women with AIDS and aimed to prevent the neonatal transmission of HIV, which is when the mother transfers the virus to her infant during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding.
Novello also raised awareness about the dangers of smoking and led a campaign against tobacco industry advertising aimed at children. In particular, she criticized “Joe Camel,” the cartoon mascot used by the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for Camel cigarettes, because it appealed to young people. Novello’s advocacy led to increased regulation of tobacco advertising, causing the Joe Camel campaign to be discontinued in 1997.
After serving as surgeon general, Novello continued to work in healthcare and advocate for underserved communities. Her dedication to the health of women and children has had an incredible impact on families everywhere.
Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor is a U.S. Supreme Court justice, which is a judge who serves on the highest court in the country. Sotomayor was born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents.
Sotomayor attended Princeton University, where she championed social justice and was not afraid to speak her mind. While serving as co-chair of the Puerto Rican activist group Acción Puertorriqueña, she accused the Princeton administration of discriminating against Puerto Ricans in hiring.
After graduating from Princeton, Sotomayor earned her law degree from Yale Law School. In 1992, she was appointed as a federal judge by President George H. W. Bush. In 2009, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to be a Supreme Court justice. After she was confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor became the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
As a Supreme Court justice, Sotomayor continues to stand up for social justice and equality. She is a strong advocate for workers’ rights, criminal justice reform, and affirmative action. Her dedication to justice inspires others to work towards a fairer society.
These are just five of the many incredible Hispanic people who have changed the world and achieved great things! We recognize Hispanic Heritage Month so we can honor and acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of Hispanic communities. Do some research, and find a Hispanic icon who inspires you!
