Friend,

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s take a few minutes to recognize, learn, and honor the pioneers of progress for Latino communities. 

Dolores Huerta, Sylvia Rivera, and Willie Velásquez were activists who fought for Latino civil rights. Each of these individuals helped pave the way for Latinos by raising political awareness, protecting BIPOC in the LGBTQ+ community, and organizing to fight for better working conditions for farmworkers.

Our history has shown the power we have when we come together and fight for those in our communities, so let’s continue on the path these leaders have paved for us and keep mobilizing.

Interested in getting involved? Volunteer with us and help advocate for the Latino community!

Let’s start with Dolores Huerta — co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union and Latina icon. She brought women into the labor movement and challenged sexism and racism. She negotiated the first successful collective bargaining agreement by agricultural laborers in 1966. She is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement.

Sylvia Rivera — one of the most prominent transgender icons in the Latino community who helped advocate for transgender rights at Stonewall back in 1969. In 1970, Rivera, along with her close friend and LGBTQ+ activist, Marsha P. Johnson, founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) – an organization committed to helping homeless transgender women. In addition to offering food, shelter, and safety, STAR fought for the passage of the New York City Transgender Rights Bill and a transgender-inclusive New York State Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act. 

Willie Velásquez — co-founder of the Mexican-American Youth Organization and voting rights advocate. Velásquez’s greatest legacy was founding the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project in 1974 which encouraged Latinos to run for office, litigated 85 successful civil rights lawsuits, and organized hundreds of nonpartisan get-out-the-vote efforts.

These leaders showed resilience and strength in the face of oppression and injustice. Their sacrifices, losses, and labor have earned them a legacy that will be cherished for generations. They inspired thousands and brought hope to the Latino community in troubling, uncertain times. 

We will remember these pioneers as the ones who started the race, but it’s up to us to grab the baton because now, it’s our turn to be pioneers and keep fighting for justice amongst our Latino communities.

Join us by volunteering and taking action to help our Latino communities.

Thank you,

NextGen America