On September 15, the nation began celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which began as Hispanic Heritage Week when it was originally signed into being by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. The celebration was created to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latinos and their roles in shaping American culture and heritage. The celebration runs through October 15.
During this month long celebration I thought it was important to highlight some of the Hispanic and Latino leaders within the Civil Rights and Labor Movement. While their work has had lasting impacts on our society, the individuals are often overlooked and left out of the mainstream discussions in American history. These leaders are to be commended for their vision, tireless dedication, and activism in helping to improve the lives of Hispanic and Latinos in this country.
As we continue this celebration, I invite you to join me in recognizing the achievements of the leaders listed below along with all of our Hispanic and Latino brothers and sisters who have fought in the struggles for dignity and respect.
Mario G. Obledo - Considered the "God Father of the Latino Movement in the U.S", he founded the Independent Workers Association Union.
Delores Huerta - Labor leader and civil rights activist who, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).
Caesar Chavez - American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist, who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association which later became the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).
Bert Corona - Mexican-American labor and civil rights leader who organized workers for the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Ernesto Galarza - Mexican-American labor activist, professor, poet and writer, a key figure in the history of immigrant farm worker organization in California.
Angel G. Luevano - Mexican-American labor leader and activist who was the principal litigant in the class action suit Luévano v. Campbell.
Nelson Merced - Massachusetts Latino activist and politician, the first Latino to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the first Hispanic to hold statewide office in the commonwealth.
Janet Murguia - President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.
Hilda Solis - American politician who served as the 25th United States Secretary of Labor from 2009 to 2013.
Baldemar Velásquez - American labor union activist. He co-founded and is president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee.
Thomas Perez - Civil rights lawyer, who is the current United States Secretary of Labor.
Delores Huerta - Labor leader and civil rights activist who, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).
Caesar Chavez - American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist, who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association which later became the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).
Bert Corona - Mexican-American labor and civil rights leader who organized workers for the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Ernesto Galarza - Mexican-American labor activist, professor, poet and writer, a key figure in the history of immigrant farm worker organization in California.
Angel G. Luevano - Mexican-American labor leader and activist who was the principal litigant in the class action suit Luévano v. Campbell.
Nelson Merced - Massachusetts Latino activist and politician, the first Latino to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the first Hispanic to hold statewide office in the commonwealth.
Janet Murguia - President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.
Hilda Solis - American politician who served as the 25th United States Secretary of Labor from 2009 to 2013.
Baldemar Velásquez - American labor union activist. He co-founded and is president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee.
Thomas Perez - Civil rights lawyer, who is the current United States Secretary of Labor.
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| Mario G. Obledo |
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| Dolores Huerta |
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| Caesar Chavez |
Learn more about Hispanics and Latinos in the American Labor Movement at the Labor Council for Latino Advancement.
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