Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor people of Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x heritage for their contributions to America and the world.
This year’s theme is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together. Get to know a few individuals of the past and present who impact our world.
Dr. Elena Rios
Dr. Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, MACP, was the President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association for 30 years.
She impacts healthcare through several boards and committees, including the Better Medicare Alliance, Centene Health Equity Committee, and many more. Through her career, she has been recognized with prestigious awards like Washingtonian's Top 500 policy influencers in Washington, DC.
Dr. Rios became a doctor because of her desire to increase access to healthcare and health equity in the Hispanic community as a physician.
Dr. Julio Frenk
Dr. Julio Frenk, MD, is a fourth-generation physician and the first Latino chancellor of the University of California. Before joining UCLA in June 2024, Dr. Frenk served as president at the University of Miami, where he made history as the institution's first Hispanic and native Spanish-speaking president.
“Studying medicine, public health, and education has given me the opportunity to try and leave this world better than I found it.” – Julio Frenk
Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor made history as the first Latina and third woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. She graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in 1976. Her rich political history includes the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and now as Associate Justice on the Supreme Court.
As Justice, Sonia has ruled to uphold the Affordable Care Act and legalize same-sex marriage.
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente began his baseball career at age 17 with the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League. He is known for his successful athletic career and humanitarian efforts. Roberto was the first Latino and eleventh person to record 3,000 career hits in Major League history.
Major League Baseball established an award in honor of Roberto, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Today his spirit of philanthropy lives on through the Roberto Clemente Foundation.
Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement. She began her career in activism by co-founding the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization in 1955, which advocated for economic improvements for Hispanics.
She founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962 alongside César Chávez, advocating for unemployment and healthcare benefits for agricultural workers.
Dolores was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, the highest civilian award in the United States.
We invite you to continue learning more about Hispanic history and how they’ve influenced our world for the better. Follow us on social media to learn more as we celebrate cultural moments throughout the year!
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