October 11, 2019

By: Beatrice Alvarez

As we end Hispanic Heritage Month this year, it bears repeating that the Hispanic and Latinx community is diverse and its experiences vary widely across the United States. Here are seven stories of strivers, community leaders, and artists that display the diversity of the nation's Hispanic heritage.

Adios Amor: The Search for Maria Moreno

Maria Moreno was an eloquent migrant mother of 12 who became an outspoken leader for farmworker rights. Through archival audio recordings and photographs, her legacy and work are honored in this documentary from Latino Public Broadcasting.

Don't forget we have resources for teachers on PBS Learning Media, including a discussion guide and lesson plan on Maria Moreno, whose work was integral to the labor movement.

Finding Your Roots: Sandra Cisneros

In her award-winning novel, The House on Mango Street, author Sandra Cisneros wrote about growing up in Chicago in a way that connected with the hearts of multi-cultural children everywhere. Her writing stirs up pride and appreciation for readers's shared Hispanic roots. In this clip from our archives, Cisneros learns more about her own past with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on Finding Your Roots.

The Unafraid

This documentary from America ReFramed is a study in courage under pressure. Follow three undocumented students and their hard-working families as they try to chase dreams of higher education and success, while facing policies and rhetoric that seeks to dehumanize them.

Ruben Salazar: The Man In The Middle

Learn the story of Ruben Salazar, a Mexican-American journalist who was killed by a law enforcement officer as he championed the causes of Chicano activists.

Latino Americans: Julia Alvarez

In this clip from Latino Americans, the sweeping series about America's rich and long Latino history, Julia Alvarez explains how putting words to paper connected her new life in American boarding schools to her old life in the Dominican Republic.

First Person: Queer, Trans, and Undocumented

In this PBS Digital Studios production from WNET in New York, New York, we get to know Mateo, a queer, trans, and undocumented person. He reminds us how no one is ever just one identity, but rather we are multi-faceted in cultural and gender identity to socio-economic status and everything in between.

Hispanic Heritage Awards

Join a distinguished group of business leaders, activists, athletes, and entertainers in celebrating the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in the 32nd annual Hispanic Heritage Awards.

We were able to chat with some of the honorees and presenters at night's red carpet. One of the night's honorees, Puerto Rican rapper and activist Residente, wanted audiences to remember that America is more than just one country, but rather a continent that includes many nations and cultures, of many languages and people. Performers and past honorees Los Tigres del Norte took time to let us know that seeing the success of so many Hispanics in different fields was a point of pride. The evening was a true display of pride and diversity in Hispanic heritage.

Although we celebrate our cultures every day, we appreciate having a time to recognize the contributions and varied representations of people all around us. With that, we wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month and look forward to continuing to celebrate the nation's diversity.