Introduction and Context

Latinas make up approximately 17% of the population in the United States. Over the years, they have made notable contributions across various sectors of the nation (Correa, 2024). For instance, according to Pro Mujer (2024), between 2010 and 2021, the economic contributions of Latinas grew by 51%, making them one of the key drivers of development in the country. According to a U.S. Senate report (2023), one in four women in the United States will be Latina by 2060.

Many Latinas have become pioneers in various fields. Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009. She grew up in the Bronx, and most of her family is from Puerto Rico. Rita Moreno, also of Puerto Rican descent, is an actress, singer, and dancer who became the first Latina to win a Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award, achieving PEGOT status. In 1993, Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina to fly to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Not only did she complete four space missions, but she also became the first Latina to direct NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Gloria Estefan, a singer and actress of Cuban heritage, has won multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards and, in 2023, became the first Latina inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Dolores Huerta, a labor leader and activist, was one of the founders of the National Farm Workers Association. She led one of the most historic agricultural boycotts, which contributed to the establishment of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, allowing farmworkers to unionize and demand better wages and working conditions. María Elena Salinas was the longest-running female TV news anchor and the first Latina to earn a Lifetime Achievement Emmy. Known as the “Voice of Hispanic America,” she worked for a Spanish-language network. Leticia Márquez-Magaña, a Mexican American biochemist and professor, founded the Health Equity Research Lab and leads efforts to foster health equity and STEM education among underrepresented groups. These are just a few examples of the many achievements of Latinas throughout U.S. history (Hernandez & Pak, 2024).

In the next activities, we will explore key moments where Latinas led movements, shaped policy, and inspired change—from creating an all-female mariachi ensemble to fighting for equal pay. Additionally, these activities will highlight the resilience of Latinas over the past 30 years.