Hispanic Heritage Month: Why We Celebrate It?

Written by: Stella Šestak

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15th to October 15th. It’s a time to acknowledge, reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Hispanic, Latino and Latinx community.

Many Latin American countries are also celebrating their independence days during this month. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on September 15th - this special day represents the start of Hispanic Heritage Month as the 5 nations declared independence from Spain on this day in 1821. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16th and Chile on September 18th.

“Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation”

This year’s theme "Unidos", which means together in Spanish, focuses on promoting inclusivity of the Hispanic community in the world.

How is it celebrated? Through parades, art exhibits, music & food. However, we believe that the most valuable way to celebrate is to learn more about the Latino culture and important Latino figures in the past and realize how they’ve enriched nations. Also, we want to use this opportunity to make a call on the importance of inclusion and representation in our society; our Latino Community and other minorities needs more support, not only this month but year round. Why should you educate yourself on this topic? Well, we may embrace multiculturalism and reconsider outdated views by cultivating a positive, inclusive, and culturally varied society.

Photo by Jo Kassis from Pexels 

Latinos Who Impacted The World

Hispanic Heritage Month gives recognition to hardworking Latinos and their contributions to society in the past as well as in the future. Here are some of the famous Latinos who have left a deep imprint on history and opened the doors to new opportunities:

Mexican-American journalist, educator, suffragist, activist who dedicated her life to fight racism and speak about women’s and Mexican-American’s rights during the time of lynchings. She was the founder of a feminist educational group, the League of Mexican Women.

Ellen Ochoa (1958)

Research engineer, astronaut at NASA. Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space for a 9 day mission. She was also the first Hispanic director of Johnson Space Center.

Cesar Chavez (1927)

Labor leader, community organizer and civil rights activist who brought about better conditions for agricultural workers in the U.S. Chavez organized agricultural workers into the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. He believed in peaceful resistance movements. His birthday is also a federal commemorative holiday in some U.S. states.

Gabriela Mistral (1889)

Chilean poet and educator. Mistral was one of the most famous Latin American poets at the time; the first Hispanic to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. Mistral was also an advocate of democracy and a fighter for the poor, children and women.

These are only a few examples of extraordinary Latino changemakers. We hope that we continue to see more Latinos achieving great accomplishments. As the world is changing and the conversation of inclusion and representation seems to be in the spotlight, we hope for future generations to live in a world that offers more fair and equal opportunities to everyone regardless of ethnicity, color, or believes.

Our Contribution To The Hispanic Community

We have always wanted to support the Latino community, and we do so by working with small businesses and artisans from South America. We provide opportunities for them to increase their business and reach an international market. Further, with our mobile boutique, we expand our support and amplify more Latin American voices in our local area. We partnered up with some local Latino artisans and small businesses to also support Latinos in Vancouver, Canada. 

These are our current local partners. Please show them some love!

1) Clarissa Banos, visual artist and graphic designer originally from El Salvador, she has been living in Vancouver for over 20 years. Clarissa shares with us a piece of Latin America through her work. We carry her amazing cards & prints, in our mobile boutique as well as online. 

Check our her products on our website: https://www.indiartscollective.com/products/prints-cards-inspired-in-latin-american-heritage

Website: https://www.clarissabanos.com/

2) Gisela Cardenas was born and raised in Panama, she is the owner of Yantra Bohemia Boutique. A unique Bohemian online boutique where you can find a variety of colourful Bohemian apparel and accessories. All of their products are been carefully chosen to add fun colours and boho-chic style to your everyday wardrobe.

We carry her boho shorts and dresses in our mobile boutique. 

Website: https://yantrabohemiaboutique.com/

3) Designs Lau is owned by Laura Valadez from Jalisco, Mexico. She specializes in making "meaningful" jewelry. 

We carry her beautiful orgone necklaces and Mala bracelets.

Website: https://designlau5.wixsite.com/designlau