Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

By: Tessa Piccolo

Fall is upon us! As we gear up to enjoy cozy fall fashions and pumpkin spice everything, the first two months of Autumn bring another cause for celebration: National Hispanic Heritage Month. This month runs from September 15 all the way to October 15 giving us four full weeks to celebrate the beautiful Hispanic culture as the character and vibrancy it contributes to our community. 

But who are we celebrating?

So who exactly does Hispanic heritage celebrate? Hispanic, often confused with Latino, refers to the group of people who are from or who have ancestry from the Spanish speaking countries of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. Latino refers to people who are from or have ancestry from just the Spanish speaking of Latin America. So while Latino people are Hispanic, not all Hispanic people are Latinos. In other words, Hispanic Heritage is a celebration of people from or with ancestry from many different countries, with many different cultures, histories, and even different accents but all united under the beautiful Spanish language and a pride in their identity. 

Why are we celebrating? 

There’s truly so simple answer to their question.  

Many Hispanic people in the United States and Canada are also members of the Latino community and have ancestry dating back to the Indigenous communities of Central and South America such as the Mayan, Aztec, Taino, and Inca peoples all of whom lived amongst the land for at least 14,000 years, pre-dating the arrival of the colonizers by 13,500 years. 

Despite their ancient relationship with the land, with arrival of Christopher Columbus and subsequent colonizers like Hernando Cortez, the Indigenous populations experienced extreme violence, disease, and forced displacement from their homelands. 

In the centuries since, Hispanic people, specifically Latina women, have continued to face significant racial and linguistic barriers in American and Canadian societies.

So we celebrate Hispanic Heritage because for so many years, it was shunned. And along with celebration, this month is a time of remembrance and reflection on these past and present injustices. 

What are we celebrating? 

Despite these centuries of oppression, the Hispanic community has maintained a beautifully expressive culture. Hispanic art, music, food, jewelry, clothing, and holidays have endured as vessels carrying their culture over generations. 

But is it just these tangible things that are celebrated or is there more? 

Hispanic Heritage Month means different things to different people. We asked some of our EmpowHERto team members what it means to them and this is what they said: 

“National Hispanic Heritage Month is a powerful reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures that shape our society. As a proud Latina, I believe that celebrating our heritage not only honors our past but also inspires future generations to embrace their identities and strive for excellence. Together, we can amplify our voices and create a more inclusive world, where every story is valued and every dream is achievable.” Karla Kannan, 

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of our culture. For me, it's about honoring and celebrating the rich legacy of those who came before us and recognizing the power we hold to inspire future generations.” Martha Jeifetz, 

It’s safe to say that this month doesn’t mean just one thing but is rather a combination of all the different facets that make up the Hispanic identity. 

So in true EmpowHERto style, we would like to honour this month by highlighting some amazing Hispanic women from the United States and Canada and their amazing contributions to their community. 

Annette Martinez is a Mexican American contemporary artist and computer science instructor. Her art seeks to portray her intersectional experience and the barriers that she has faced and overcome throughout her life. 

Frida Vigil and Katherine Moncada are two Latina-Canadian women who launched the 2021 social media campaign #ShowUsYourLatinRoots. This campaign marked Canadian Latin Hispanic Heritage Month and pushed Hispanic youth to explore their background and build a conversation surrounding cultural identity. 

Stephanie Castillo is a young woman, born in Venezuela and raised in Florida. She is a chemist who also runs the website Ph.utureD.octors which focuses on “outreach and teaching, but to also bring diversity to the STEM workforce and academia through representation in media.” 

Jenna Ortega is an American-Mexican-Puerto Rican actress who broke into the mainstream with her role as Wednesday Adams in the TV series Wednesday. Jenna is very passionate and proud  about her heritage but has also been very honest about how it has affected her experience in Hollywood. 

Lourdes Ruiz is a Mexican Folklore dancer who moved to Vancouver and started her own dance company named “Caudillos del Sur Mexican Dance” which combines passion and love for dance with the ability to expose the community to Mexican tradition. 

Now we invite you to join the conversation. Follow our instagram @empowherto and join the celebration. Tell us what National Hispanic Heritage Month means to you, share your favourite part of Hispanic culture, or highlight an amazing Hispanic woman who has inspired you!