Background Information

Línea Abierta is a groundbreaking daily talk show that connects Spanish-speaking audiences across the United States and Mexico. Created by Radio Bilingüe in February 1995, the program provides thoughtful, in-depth coverage of issues affecting Latino communities—something rarely found in mainstream public or commercial broadcasts. The hosts of Línea Abierta, Chelis López, Gerardo Guzmán and Samuel Orozco, first started delivering a full hour of news, analysis, interviews, special series, and roundtable discussions in Spanish. In August 1996, the program was expanded to a two-hour format. The show regularly brings together Latino and Latina experts for dynamic, moderated conversations. Línea Abierta is now broadcast on 75 stations nationwide and is offered free of charge via satellite and online at radiobilingue.org (De La Cruz, 2017). 

In 2025, Línea Abierta celebrates 30 years on the air with a special edition show titled Thirty Years, Thirty Voices, featuring 30 civil rights leaders, activists, and influential figures such as Dolores Huerta and José Ángel Gutiérrez (De La Cruz, 2017; Radio Bilingüe).

Before engaging with this resource set, students are encouraged to explore the following:

• The social injustices that Latinas face in your city and state.

• The accomplishments and contributions of Latinas in your city and state. 

• The Latinas each student admires, whether a family member, a community activist, artist, or someone else.  

• What organizations work to promote equity for Latinas in your city and state?