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Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 to October 15 | A national holiday celebrating the contribution of Hispanic and Latino artists, scientists, activists and human rights leaders to the United States.

Credit: Rebecca Amber [PUBLIC DOMAIN] via US Air Force

Teachers: Visit the free MY HERO Lesson Plan for Hispanic Heritage Month. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.

MY HERO Film Festival Finalists

Oasis: The Projection of your own Identity

By: Amiko Muscat
Jessica Recinos, a choreographer based in San Francisco is yearning to pursue her identity and culture through dance.

Planting Roots

By: Erica Negrini
Many locals in San Juan la Laguna do not have the resources to educate their youth and build community - but one local leader has created a new school to do just that.

Empowerment In Action

By: Yuelin Liu
This short documentary centers on the work of the Eco Spanish School, persevering in a small town on the shores of Lake Atitlán

Cadena en Cadena (Stitch by Stitch)

By: Juliana Kasmanas
A women's embroidery collective in Mexico passes down traditional Maya patterns while innovating new designs and expanding gender roles for future generations.

Films from Ascot Avenue Elementary School

Ildauara Murillo-Rohde

By: Emma Lazcano
This video was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Emma Lazcano.

Yajaira Sierra

By: JC Castro
This video was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student JC Castro.

El Pipila

By: Sergio
This film about El Pipila was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Sergio.

Santiago Ramon y Cajal

By: Samantha Morales
This film about Santiago Ramon y Cajal was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Samantha Morales.

Ildaura Murillo-Rohde

By: Sophia Guillen
This film was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Sophia Guillen.

Nicole Hernandez Hammer

By: Nicole Hernandez Hammer
This film about Nicole Hernandez Hammer was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Jade Figueroa.

Films about Hispanic/Latino Heroes

Hispanic and Latino community activists, educators and filmmakers are featured in this selection of short films highlighting the heroism of individuals in the United States.

Cries of the Children

Produced by:Angel Miracle Espericueta
Cries of the Children is a short film about how Latinos are affected by social media postings illustrating child separation.

Erica Fernandez: The Tool of Protest

Produced by:The Center for Advancing Unity & The Working Group

Erica Fernandez, a brave and passionate young activist, defends her community from corporate polluters!

Velo Visionaries - Alicia Tapia

In Episode 3 of Velo Visionaries, we talk/ride with Alicia Tapia, creator of Bibliobicicleta, a free library on wheels that can be found weekly in The Panhandle in San Francisco.

G.I. José

Alejandro Marquez Vela

The film director, Alejandro Marquez Vela , creates a riveting and poignant narrative about the immigration crisis. This film is recommended for mature audiences - it contains strong language and violence -viewer discretion advised. PASSWORD: Jose

A Mexican-American U.S. Army soldier comes back home and has a dilemma.

MY HERO Suggested Video

"Hidden Figuras: Jovita Idár" (2018) by BESE

An educator, journalist, activist and sometimes nurse, Idár is one of the most historically significant Texans that you've never heard of. And that's no surprise.

Founded by Zoe Saldana, BESE's mission is to broaden and reshape the cultural narrative by shining light on the untold stories that reflect today’s America. We respect all identities and admire the people who have the courage to say, “this is who I am.”

MY HERO Suggested Video

"We can do something about global warming" - Nobel Laureate Mario Molina (1995 Chemistry) by Nobel Prize

 

My Family Journey: Pathway to Empowering Hispanic Women

Angelina Pendleton-Mendez
Angelina Pendleton-Mendez interviews Maria Mendez, her paternal grandmother about her family and their journey.

The Community They Fight For

Producer: Mill Valley Film Group
Latino community activist Mark Lopez pushed government officials to provide comprehensive lead testing and cleanup of East Los Angeles homes contaminated by a battery smelter that had been operating for over three decades.

Stories about Hispanic/Latino Heroes

Ada Limón: The 24th Poet Laureate

By: Natalia Osuna

Astronaut , José Moreno Hernández

By: Abigail Richardson
José Moreno Hernández is an American engineer and former NASA astronaut

Regina G. Barber, Ph.D., ‘Chin@-Chicana’ Scientist Hero

By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO Staff writer

Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias

By: Naomi Gledhill

Judith F. Baca / The Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC)

By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO staff writer
Judith F. Baca is the Chicana muralist who painted the Great Wall of Los Angeles.

Leo Limón

By: Deborah Neff
L.A. activist and artist Leo Limon, a leading figure in Chicana/o art scene, gives back to his community.

Elizabeth Acevedo

By: Deborah Neff
Afro-Latina poet Elizabeth Acevedo writes about her own people for young adult readers and adults alike.

David Hertz / Gastromotiva / For this Brazilian chef, stopping world hunger starts in local kitchens

By: Cathryn J. Prince, Correspondent
David Hertz and his nonprofit, Gastromotiva, seek local solutions to ending world hunger.

Sonia Smith-Kang: Mixed Up Clothing

By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Sonia Smith-Kang is the founder of Mixed Up Clothing, a boutique children's clothing line. During the coronavirus, she is using her fabric to make masks for customers and medical workers.

Dolores Huerta

By: Rachel Parsons

Huerta began to see the need for agricultural workers to organize for labor rights as a teacher. Many of her students were children of migrant workers.

Abraham Nickin

By: Michel Nickin

ESL Stories

Cesar Chavez

By: Annie from San Diego
Cesar Chavez was a tireless advocate for migrant farm workers.

Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert

By: Emma Navajas
Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert made tremendous advancements in food safety in the American Southwest.

Dr. France Cordova

By: Barbara Field

Dr. France Cordova is a renowned astrophysicist who has broken gender and cultural barriers. She is currently the director of the US National Science Foundation. [This story is also available in Spanish.]

Latinx artists commemorate their ancestry, honor social activists, and uphold multi-generational stories through art. 

Agave Americana by Noel Marquez, Muralist from New Mexico
Credit: Noel Marquez

Dolores Huerta by Marilyn Huerta, Portrait artist

By: Marilyn Huerta

Dolores Huerta is an American labor leader and civil rights activist  of Hispanic descent who, with Cesar Chavez, is co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association

Hispanic Pride

By: Jose Acosta
" I was born in Cuba where I lived until the age of three, then, with my family, immigrated to the United States. Therefore, my paintings depict my history."

On Prom Night I Danced With My Grandmother by Theresa Rosado

By: Theresa Rosado

"Most images I create are from memory of people I know around me. Memory forces me to move away from realism towards something truly of the artist's origin."

Cesar Chavez by Marilyn Huerta, Portrait artist

By: Marilyn Huerta

Remembering the legacy of Cesar Chavez Hispanic heritage hero and labor organizer (UFW) who tirelessly fought for farm workers in California.

Rafael Lopez Art for BRAVO! POEMS ABOUT AMAZING HISPANICS

The Hispanics featured in this collection come from different backgrounds and from many different countries. Celebrate their accomplishments and their contributions to a collective history and a community that continues to evolve and thrive today! (Artwork displayed with permission from the artist.) 

Cesar Chavez

By: Rafael Lopez

Chavez was a civil rights activist and fought for farm workers.

Julia de Burgos

By: Rafael Lopez

A Puerto Rican poet and advocate for Puerto Rican independence.

Jose Marti

By: Rafael Lopez

An illustrator and artist who brings diverse characters to children's books.

Juana Briones

By: Rafeal Lopez

A Mexican-American pioneer of the 19th Century.

Audio

"Recuerdos de Lieja (Live at Lukowski Festival)" by Leo Brouwer A Classical Guitar recording

Juan Leovigildo Brouwer Mezquida was born March 1, 1939 in Havana is a Cuban composer, conductor, and guitarist. 

CSM Stories

US poet laureate Ada Limón: ‘Things can grow here, and I can grow here.’
Credit: Shawn Miller/Library of Congress
‘El Librotraficante’: Getting banned Latino books into readers’ hands
Credit: The Christian Science Monitor
Latin American women are shortening the road from farm to table
Credit: CSM

Related Pages

Playas de Tijuana

Sophie Kim
An inspiring poem about the border fence that meets the sea, where names become prayers and where “the worst place to be is here and not there.”

Sincretismo

Sophie Kim
The words of a Guatemalan priestess of Maximón give insight into this deity and folk saint born of the ancient Maya traditions centuries ago

Águilas/Eagles [Trailer]

Kristy Guevara-Flanagan, Maite Zubiaurre
"Along the scorching southern desert border in Arizona, it is estimated that only one out of every five missing migrants are ever found...

5400 Children

Morgen Arguelles
A strong statement about child separation at the U.S. / Mexico border and its impact on knowledgeable youth that are watching its government's policies in action.

Links

Flags of Latin America
Credit: MY HERO

Our Curators

 

Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette

 

Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editors Deborah Neff and Abigail Richardson. 

 

Audio curated by MY HERO Audio director Stu Pearlman. 


Organizer created on 9/6/2017 9:45:20 AM by Jeanne Meyers

Last edited 9/18/2024 8:08:13 AM by Abigail Richardson

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