Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Every month is the right time for celebrating Hispanic American women, but this dedicated month is a great opportunity to share more of their stories, and to honor their contributions!

Beginning in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, the celebration was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

September 15 of every year was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. All declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively.

This year, and every year since the founding of the National Women’s History Alliance, we will be celebrating Hispanic American women and their contributions to American culture, society, and history:

Maria Cuevas, NWHA co-founder

Ana Roqué de Duprey, Puerto Rican educator and suffragist, 2020/2021 Honoree

Maria Teresa Kumar, voting rights activist, 2020/2021 Honoree

Graciela Sanchez, Co-founder and Director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, 2019 Honoree

Cristina Jiménez, immigration and civil rights activist, 2018 Honoree

Angelica Salas, immigration and civil rights activist, 2018 Honoree

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons, labor organizer and socialist leader, 2017 Honoree

Nina Vaca, businesswoman, civic leader and philanthropist, 2017 Honoree

Isabel Gonzalez, Puerto Rican citizenship activist, 2016 Honoree

Vicki Ruiz, educator and pioneer in Latina history, 2015 Honoree

Carmen Delgado Votaw, international women’s rights activist, 2014 Honoree

Lupe Anguiano, environmental and poverty activist, 2007 Honoree

Vilma Martinez, first female ambassador to Argentina, 2004 Honoree

Tania Léon, composer and conductor, 2003 Honoree

Ellen Ochoa, first female Hispanic astronaut, 2001 Honoree

Maria L. de Hernández, community and civil rights activist, 1986 Honoree

Graciela Olivarez, lawyer and community activist, 1999 Honoree

Nina Otero-Warren, educator, politician, suffragist, 1998 Honoree

Alicia Dickerson Montemayor, Latina activist and artist, 1997 Honoree

Jovita Idár, journalist and civil rights activist, 1991 Honoree

Emma Tenayuca, labor organizer and civil rights activist, 1990 Honoree