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4th of July: Latinos who helped shape American History
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a significant holiday in the United States, commemorating the country’s declaration of independence from British rule in 1776. While the nation celebrates its freedom, it is crucial to acknowledge the contributions and struggles of influential Latinos throughout history who fought for political rights and social justice.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
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Born in the Bronx, New York, to a Puerto Rican family, she became the youngest woman and the first Latina to represent New York in Congress. Since being elected to Congress, Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal advocate for progressive causes. She has supported Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and tuition-free college. She has also been a critic of President Donald Trump and his policies.
Ocasio-Cortez has also been a strong advocate for Latino rights. She has spoken out against the Trump administration’s family separation policy and its travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. She has also introduced legislation to protect Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.
Congressman Edward Roybal
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Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Edward Roybal (1916-2005) was a prominent Latino figure in American politics. He became the first Mexican-American elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1949, and later, in 1962, he became the first Latino elected to Congress from California since 1879.
Roybal was a tireless advocate for civil rights, healthcare reform, and improving educational opportunities for minority communities. He co-founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which continues to play a pivotal role in addressing Latino concerns today.
Dolores Huerta
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Dolores Huerta, born in 1930, is an iconic civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) union alongside Cesar Chavez. She played a critical role in organizing the Delano Grape Strike of 1965, which led to improved working conditions and labor rights for farm workers.
Huerta’s lifelong commitment to social justice and women’s rights earned her numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Her efforts continue to inspire future generations of activists.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
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Sonia Sotomayor, born in 1954, made history in 2009 when she became the first Latina Supreme Court Justice. Before that, she was on the board of directors of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and an instructor at New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School.
Her appointment to the highest court in the land symbolized a significant milestone for Latinos in the United States. Justice Sotomayor’s rulings and perspectives have brought diverse experiences and voices to the Supreme Court. Throughout her career, she has consistently advocated for fairness and equality, often drawing upon her own life experiences as a Bronx native of Puerto Rican descent.
César Chávez
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César Chávez (1927-1993) was an influential labor leader and civil rights activist who dedicated his life to improving the working conditions and rights of farmworkers. Through nonviolent protests, such as strikes and boycotts, Chávez co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) union, which successfully advocated for better wages, healthcare, and labor protections.
His commitment to social justice and his tireless efforts made a lasting impact on the lives of countless Latino farmworkers and inspired similar movements for workers’ rights around the world.
Sylvia Mendez
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Sylvia Mendez, born in 1936, was at the forefront of the fight for desegregation in schools. In 1946, at the age of 9, Mendez and her family filed a lawsuit against the Westminster School District in California after she was denied enrollment at a “Whites only” school.
The landmark case, Mendez v. Westminster, led to the desegregation of California schools and played a crucial role in the broader fight against racial segregation in the United States. Mendez’s bravery and resilience contributed significantly to the advancement of educational opportunities for Latinos and other minority groups.
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