Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, el Mes de la Mujer and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) supports the accomplishments of powerful women, our past Hispanic Heritage Award (HHA) honorees. Women who have had the great privilege of standing on our HHA stage, their leadership shining through in their perspectives and voices for the whole world to see.

First of all, on March 8^th women around the world celebrated International Women’s Day. A day where women reflected on progress made, improvements that are missing in the workspace and the acts of courage of those women who have played a vital role in history for women’s rights.

Hispanic Heritage Awards

Also, our HHA Leadership Honoree, Sonia Sotomayor is a woman to be celebrated, as she is the country’s first Latina Supreme Court Justice. She received the Leadership Award at our 29^th Hispanic Heritage Awards! Therefore, the HHA’s are considered among the highest honors for Hispanics by Hispanics and top Latino performers and personalities pay tribute to the honorees from the stage. HHA’s were established in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America.

Sonia Sotomayor 

Furthermore, Sonia said, “This award is not about me. It’s about the many mothers and fathers, abuelos and abuelitas and all the others who have led our community, who have taught us all and carried us upward on their backs with hard work and determination.” Watch Sonia’s full Hispanic Heritage Awards speech here! 

HHF’s President and CEO, Antonio Tijerino said, “The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is extremely proud to be able to honor Justice Sotomayor with our Leadership Award. The Justice truly embodies what it means to be American.”

Sonia was born in the Bronx, New York City to Puerto Rican born parents and has always been proud and applauded being Latina. The U.S. Supreme Court Justice represents hard work, dedication and high honor to all the women in the Latino community.

In “A Latina Judge’s Voice,” Sonia states, “I became a Latina by the way I love and live my life. My family showed me by their example how wonderful and vibrant life is and how wonderful and magical it is to have a Latina soul. They taught me to love being a Puertorriqueña  and to love America and value its lesson that great things could not be achieved if one works for it.”

Also, Women’s History Month is our chance to honor the women who have served as an inspiration to other Latinas in the community by doing good, genuine work. Here’s to learning and appreciating the stories of powerful women all month long! Thank you, Sonia Sotomayor, for your leadership.

In conclusion, this month supports the accomplishments of women in the public eye and the everyday heroes who deserve their own spotlight too. Learn more about our Hispanic Heritage Awards and our past honorees here!