Hispanic Heritage Month: Influential Latinos

Dolores Huerta
Labor Leader, Civil Rights Activist and Co-Founder of the United Farm Workers

"!Si, se puedo!" (Yes, we can!)

April 10, 1930

Her Impact: Co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Cesar Chavez. Led groundbreaking efforts to improve wages and working conditions for farm workers. Advocate for women's rights, immigrant rights, and educational equality. Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. 

Dolores Huerta continues to inspire generations to speak up, organize, and fight for justice in their communities. Her life is a powerful reminder that change is possible when we unite our voices. 

Luis von Ahn
Guatemalan-American Computer Scientist and Entrepreneur

"My dream was to help people learn for free. Technology can make that possible."  

August 19, 1978

Luis con Ahn is a computer scientist and entrepreneur known for his significant contributions to cybersecurity and education. 

Key Acheivements: He is co-founder & CEO of Duolingo, the world's most popular language-learning platform. Named a MacArthur "Genius" Fellow for his innovative contributions to technology and society. He is committed to accessible education, making language learning free and fun for millions worldwide. Luis is also known for inventing CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA. This security test prevents bots from accessing websites by requiring users to decipher distorted texts or solving puzzles. 

Lutecia Gonzalez-Quintanilla

Former Federal Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Administrative Judge and Attorney. Gonzalez, a well known attorney in Milwaukee was born in Mexico City on May 13, 1940 and passed away in 2021.

In 1982, she was involved in legal proceedings referencing employment rights: "McKinnon and Lutecia Gonzalez-Quintanilla, EEOC, Seattle, WA, for Plaintiff."

In 2000, Lutecia Gonzalez-Quintanilla, an advocate for civil rights sued the Milwaukee Police Department after she was arrested by a police officer when she stopped to help translate for a person who was detained on S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr and W. National Ave. The person was involved in an impromptu Mexican Independence Parade displaying a Mexican flag. Gonzalez won the lawsuit against the Milwaukee police officer for using excessive force. The officer later discovered she was a federal administrative judge.

That same year, Gonzalez was honored as UMOS Hispanic Woman of the Year. She appears in the University of Wisconsin Law School digital archive as Lutecia Gonzalez-Quintanilla, a student who graduated in 1979.

Baltazar de Anda-Santana
Community Leader, Advocate for Immigrants, Founder of Green Card Voices-Milwaukee

"Our stories matter. By sharing them, we build bridges and inspire change."

Anda-Santana is a passionate immigrant rights advocate known for his tireless work in promoting equity, dignity, and visibility for immigrants and underrepresented communities in Wisconsin and beyond.

Key accomplishments: Founder and Executive Director of Latinx Mental Health Coalition and Green Card Voices-Milwaukee. Former Director of Latino Outreach and Advocacy at diverse nonprofit organizations. Instrumental in creating spaces for immigrant youth to share their stories through public platforms and storytelling projects. Recognized for his efforts to uplift LGBTQ+ Latinx voices and mental health awareness. 

His Impact: Baltazar works to empower the Latinx community, promote mental health, equity, and encourage inclusive dialogue around race, identity, and belonging. 

Domingo Santo Liotta
Argentine Surgeon, Inventor and Public Servant, Pioneer in Heart Surgery

November 29, 1924

Dr. Domingo Santo Liotta's legacy is defined by his actions and his trailblazing work in medicine, particularly his role in 1969 for the first human implant of a total artificial heart. This concept has since saved countless lives and remains a cornerstone of modern cardiac care. 

Impact: Monumental step forward in cardiac care and contributed to the development of the Left Ventricular Device (LVAD) that is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution. He held positions such as Secretary of Public Health in Argentina and was involved in international medical initiatives demonstrating his wide ranging influence. 

Lin-Manuel Miranda
Award-Winning Composer, Lyricist, Actor, Activist.

"This is not a moment, it's the movement."

January 16, 1980

Lin-Manuel is known for revolutionizing Broadway with his powerful storytelling, blending hip-hop, Latin rhythms, and traditional music theater. 

Key Achievements: Creator and star of Hamilton and In the Heights. Pulitzer Prize winner, multiple Tony Awards, Grammy Awards, and an Emmy. Composer for Disney's Moana and Encanto.

His Impact: Lin-Manuel uses art to uplift immigrant voices, redefine American history, and expand representation of Latinx communities in media and the arts. 

Guillermo Gonzalez Camerena
Mexican Electrical Engineer and Inventor of the Color Television

February 17, 1917

Guillermo's legacy is defined by his invention of a color television system and his subsequent work in broadcasting and education. 

Impact: While known for his groundbreaking work on color television, he also established a television station in Mexico (HXGC-TV Channel 5) with the first commercial broadcast taking place in 1963. A significant part of his mission was to use television for educational purposes which led to the creation of the Telesecundaria system, which provides middle school education via television to students in remote areas of Mexico. 

His simplified version of the color television system was used by NASA in 1979 for the Voyager mission to transmit color images of Jupiter.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)
U.S. Congresswoman, Community Organizer and Advocate for Justice

"They'll tell you you're too loud, that you need to wait your turn and ask the right people for permission. Do it anyway"

October 13, 1989

In 2018, AOC became the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress at age 29.

Her Mission: Fights for climate action, affordable healthcare, and economic justice. Champion for the Green New Deal and progressive policies. Known for standing up to power and amplifying the voices of working-class Americans. 

AOC inspires young people across the nation to lead, organize, and run for office - proving that representation matters. 

Sonia Sotomayor
First Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court Justice

"If you want to change someone's mind, you must understand what need shapes his or her opinion. To prevail, you must first listen." 

June 25, 1954

Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her career and ascent to the nation's highest court have made her a significant figure, particularly for Americans who feel underrepresented. As an inspiration and a symbol, she is known for her belief in the importance of diverse experiences in the judiciary. 

Her Mission: Fidelity to the law, ensuring justice and fairness, valuing diversity and experience, promoting procedural justice and inspiring future generations. 

Coming from a working class upbringing in the Bronx to the Supreme Court, is a testament to her resilience and intellect. She aims to inspire others to believe that hard work and education can help them achieve their dreams, regardless of their background.