Written by Joanne Villavieja
This year The White House released an online briefing regarding Hispanic Heritage Month. It opens:
“Hispanic heritage holds an indelible place in the heart and soul of our Nation, and National Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us that the American identity is a fabric of diverse traditions and stories woven together. Since the beginning, our country has drawn strength and insights from Hispanic writers, scientists, soldiers, doctors, entrepreneurs, academics, and leaders in labor and government. Our culture has been enriched by the rhythms, art, literature, and creativity of Hispanic peoples. And our deepest values have been informed by the love of family and faith that is at the core of so many Hispanic communities” (via whitehouse.gov).
The national celebration of Hispanic Heritage began in 1968, started by Congress as Hispanic Heritage Week and expanded to one month in 1988. Not many understand just how much influence that people of Hispanic and Latino descent have had on American history. So this year, let’s shine some spotlight on some notable Hispanic and Latino names that have helped contribute to what our country is today.
Mario José Molina-Pasquel Henríquez, also known as Mario Molina, was a Mexican chemist who helped discover the threat to the ozone layer by CFC gasses, which had been gathering in the atmosphere but were thought to have no effect on the environment. He was a co-recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his role in this discovery.
Ynes Mexia is another Mexican-American who changed the field of science. She was a prolific botanist who discovered two new plant genera and 500 new plant species. She faced difficulties not only because of her race, but also because of her status as a woman scientist. In the 1910’s and 20’s, she traveled alone throughout Mexico, South America, and Alaska, collecting approximately 145,000 plant specimens. There are 50 plant species that are named in her honor.
In the field of sports, Alex Rodriguez is a household name. Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez, better known as “A-Rod” is considered one of the best baseball players of all time. Rodriguez was born in Washington Heights, a section of Manhattan that is an iconic home in Hispanic culture. His parents were immigrants from the Dominican Republic, and his father introduced him to baseball as a child. History was made from there.
Another household name is Rita Moreno. Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer. Her vast work spans several categories of entertainment and over 7 decades. She was the only Puerto Rican movie star during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her acting credits include some of the most well known films of all time, Singing in the Rain (1952), The King and I (1956), and West Side Story (1961). She is also one of the few people in history to have achieved EGOT status in entertainment, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.
According to Pew Research, in 2019 the US Hispanic population reached 60.6 million, up from 50.7 million in 2010. A study from Stanford University's 2020 State of Latino Entrepreneurship report shows that Latino-owned businesses are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. small business ecosystem (via goodmorningamerica.com). All facets of American culture would not be what it is today without the influence of Hispanic and Latino descendants.
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