Monthly Recognitions

National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15)

Please join us in celebrating Hispanic and Latino/a/x/e communities!

History 

In 1968, former president Lynden B. Johnson proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Week. According to the Human Rights Campaign, “the one-week event has grown into what is known by many as Hispanic Heritage Month -- a commemoration from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 that is linked to the independence anniversaries of several Latin American nations and uplifts the cultural legacy of a group deeply-rooted in rich traditions.” 

The U.S. Department of Education (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics) celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.”

Terminology 

Is it Hispanic, Chicano/Chicana, Latino/Latina, Latinx, or Latine?  According to Generating Engagement and New Initiatives for All Latinos (GENIAL) and Best Colleges: 

  • Hispanic is someone who is a native of, or descends from, a Spanish-speaking country.
  • Chicano/a is someone who is a native of, or descends from, Mexico and who lives in the United States. 
  • Latino/Latina/Latinx is someone who is a native of, or descends from, a Latin American country. Latinx is a gender-neutral term to refer to a Latino/Latina person. While the term continues to hold space for younger generations, some have rejected the imposition of a colonizing letter — i.e., the "x."
  • Latine is someone who is a native of, or descends from, a Latin American country. Latine is a gender-neutral term to refer to a Latino/Latina/Latinx person and represents an effort by some Spanish-speakers to adopt the letter "e" from the Spanish language as a representation of gender neutrality.

Like other ethnic groups, Hispanic communities advocate for pan-ethnic categories to be recognized individually by the U.S. Census, as it currently only identifies “Hispanic or Latino” groups or “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.”

Significance & Celebration 

Lucy’s story is one of many that highlights challenges and triumphs for Mexican Americans and other Hispanic/Latine individuals in the United States. The Hispanic population is the second fastest growing demographic in the United States, bringing diverse cultures, languages, approaches to science and education, politics, arts, cuisine, and more that enrich and benefit our nation.

Resources to Learn More