Joining our McGregor colleagues to celebrate National Hispanic American Heritage Month September 15 to October 15
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Frida Kahlo~ Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits of pain and passion, and bold, vibrant colors, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico.
Kahlo was aware of the power of clothes from a very young age. But she was equally aware of her fragmented body after contracting polio at the age of six and suffering a near-fatal accident at the age of 18. She is celebrated in Mexico for her attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and by feminists for her depiction of the female experience and form.
Others recognized for their societal contributions are Salvador Dali, Diego Rivera, Ellen Ochoa (astronaut) Pablo Picasso (artist), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (congresswoman), Cesar Chavez (civil rights activist), Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of the Broadway hit-Hamilton), Chita Rivera (world renowned dancer), Rita Moreno (actress West Side Story), Jennifer Lopez (entertainer), Mariah Carey (singer)
It’s a special time dedicated to celebrating the positive influences of Hispanic and Latin American culture on our society. Many of those contributions would not have been possible without famous Hispanic people—and women in particular.
There a many colleagues within our workforce at McGregor who are making significant contributions and leading the way for others to follow!