Ochoa was born in 1958 in Los Angeles, California, years after her paternal grandparents immigrated from Mexico. In the Heights, loosely based on his own experiences growing up, would go on to open on Broadway in March 2008. Rubio went to Tarkio College in Missouri for one year on a football scholarship in 1989 before returning to Florida and later transferring to the University of Florida. In response, her parents and others filed a class-action lawsuit against four area school districts. ... and when Bush moved north, he made Gonzales White House counsel and, earlier this year, the nation's first Hispanic Attorney General. Alongside Chávez and other organizers, Huerta played a key role in passing monumental worker protections. Few Hispanic Americans have made a bigger impact in recent pop culture than Lin-Manuel Miranda. She has since been heralded alongside Johnson as the mothers of the gay rights movement. In 1993 began acting career staring in film Selena about Mexican-American singer. One of history’s most pioneering women, Frida Kahlo took up painting as a means to recover after a near-fatal bus accident. Miranda’s mother Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda is a clinical psychologist and his father Luis A. Miranda, Jr. is a Democratic Party consultant and immigrant advocate. A year later, Castro suspended his campaign and endorsed Senator Elizabeth Warren. Aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1993, Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to travel to space. READ MORE: Martin Luther King Jr. The 100 Most Influential People Next Generation Leaders Person of the Year Top of the World. Through a grassroots campaign, she became the youngest person elected into the House of Representatives during the midterm elections that year. Dominican American poet and novelist Elizabeth Acevedo learned the art of storytelling from her father, mother and grandfather. Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) It's impossible to create a list of influential Hispanic … Twelve years later, Sotomayor made history when President Barack Obama picked her as his first nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009. Sophie Cruz, then 5 years old, made national headlines in 2015 for hand-delivering a letter to Pope Francis during a Washington, D.C. motorcade. She was her high school valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University before setting off on a three-decade-long law career. The band’s name was dropped in 1989, with Estefan embarking on a successful solo career ever since. These renowned educators are just a handful of the many teachers who have transformed people's lives. Rubio later entered the Republican presidential primary race in April 2015, becoming one of the first Hispanic Americans to have aspirations of the highest office. These children of the 'Bel Paese' left behind an indelible imprint with their contributions to humanity, sports, science and popular culture. Your Favorite Hispanic Celebrities Selena Gomez Jennifer Lopez Sofía Vergara Shakira Demi Lovato Salma Hayek Penélope Cruz Jessica Alba Eva Mendes Zoe Saldana Camila Cabello Bruno Mars Gina Rodriguez Eva Longoria Adriana Lima George Lopez Michael Peña Arianny Celeste Danny Trejo Michelle Rodriguez … Michael Peraza, Cuban... Business. READ MORE: How Sonia Sotomayor Overcame Adversity to Become the United States' First Hispanic and Latina Justice. Selena (1971-94) Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was a singer, songwriter and fashion icon. Singer Gloria Estefan is often synonymous with Latin music in the United States. Notable Hispanic People Who Became Famous Across the Globe. He was then successful in 2009 after stepping away to run his own law practice. Dominican American writer Julia Alvarez has been enchanting readers with her words since the early 1990s. The prolific right fielder was born in 1934 in Puerto Rico, joined the island’s amateur baseball league when he was 16 and made the professional league two years later at 18. Two years later, Ochoa made history on board the Space Shuttle Discovery on a mission to study the Earth’s ozone layer. The athlete died in a plane crash in 1972 while on his way to Nicaragua to deliver aid to earthquake victims when he was 38. These women fought endlessly for equality women throughout the 20th century. Right from the 16th century writer Miguel de Cervantes, to the 20th century boxer Oscar De La Hoya, there are many famous names that share a Hispanic heritage. The following 15 historic and modern-day artists, activists, performers and pioneers have all made waves in their respective fields. She was told to enroll in a nearby underfunded “Mexican school” instead. So often when we think of the great Native American heroes of the past, we think of the brave male warriors and chiefs who led their people through war and the long journey into an uncertain future. She first obtained her physics degree from San Diego State University and later her masters and doctorate from Stanford University’s department of electrical engineering by 1985. Castro was elected to San Antonio City Council the next year in 2001 until he ran for mayor in 2005, coming in second by a small margin of votes. Every fall from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Americans celebrate the contributions of U.S. citizens, residents and communities with Mexican, Caribbean, South and Central American and Spanish heritage. She graduated in 1976 after establishing herself as a student advocate, working hard to ensure Princeton began hiring Latin American faculty. Rita Moreno is a Puerto-Rican American singer, dancer and actor who had an excellent career for over... 3. Cruz went on to Harvard Law School, earning his degree in 1995. His roots in Texas trace back to 1920, when his grandmother immigrated as a child to live with extended family. Miranda won his first Tony Award that summer after the show received 13 nominations, earning four wins including Best Musical. Rita Moreno was born in Puerto Rico in 1931. While there are plenty of inspirational people on the list, there are also some controversial ones. Below, we have rounded up all of the Latinos and Latin Americans featured on Time ‘s list in 2019. In her award-winning and best-selling poetry and prose, Acevedo explores themes of self-acceptance and identity. He counted her influence as the reason why he and his brother, a U.S. Representative for Texas, are politicians. This changed when Lopez dropped out of college to pursue acting, with her parents strongly opposing her aspirations. They deserve to be honored year-round. … Both are credited with forming the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), later changed to Transgender, which helped house and support LGBTQ youth and sex workers in Manhattan. The carnival-like atmosphere of the September 1973 tennis match belied the importance of the event for the athlete and generations of female athletes that followed. Rita Moreno. She later stepped away from the union to focus on women’s rights after she was badly beaten by a San Francisco police officer during a peaceful raid, resulting in a long recovery. A Miami native, Rubio was born in 1971 to Cuban immigrants who fled the Batista regime in 1956, two years before Fidel Castro took over through the Cuban Revolution. As a second-generation migrant farmworker, César Chávez was subject and witness to unjust working conditions, treatment and pay on American farms. Born in Cuba in 1957, Estefan’s family fled to Miami during the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Hispanic Americans are people living in the United States who are descendants of Spanish-speaking peoples. Each of these pioneers achieved a first for African Americans. The hip-hop musical quickly became one of the most profitable shows to ever hit Broadway. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Chavez worked as a lumber handler in San Jose, where he helped set up a chapter of the Community Service Organization, a pivotal civil rights organization for Latinos in California. Two years later, she received a ground-breaking job promotion from research engineer to astronaut. Though Rubio obtained citizenship through his birth, his parents didn’t become naturalized citizens until after his birth in 1975. "I was going to college and I was going to become an attorney, and I knew that when I was ten. In just a few short years, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become one of the major leading voices for Hispanic Americans in politics. Sotomayor was born in 1954 in the New York City borough, where she grew up in a predominantly Catholic and Puerto Rican community. Pay Gap, Racism and More Contribute to Growing Economic Inequality in the US, 101 Things Every American Should Do in the US in Their Lifetime, 101 Jaw-droppingly Beautiful Photos of America. He rose through the ranks and became House Speaker in 2005, the first Cuban American to do so. Explore the many ways in which Latina women have broken gender and cultural barriers. These days, more than ever, we are in need of words of wisdom, inspiration, and empowerment in the Latino community. Explore the ways that these Hispanic Americans have made their mark on the world. Castro was re-elected in 2011 and 2013. Also known by her initials AOC, Ocasio-Cortez was born in 1989 in the Bronx, New York to a Puerto Rican mother and a Bronx-born father of Puerto Rican descent. She once again won her primary in June 2020, all but ensuring her return to Congress for a second term after the general election in November. Born in New York, US to Puerto Rican parents. The two would go on to found the National Farm Workers Association, later the United Farm Workers labor union, becoming primary figures for Latin American civil rights. They are singers, painters, actors, lawyers, authors, and athletes. Following the life of Alexander Hamilton, Miranda reimagined the beginnings of America told by all actors of color, whose ancestors didn’t have a say in how the country was built. In the letter, Cruz asked that the Pope lend his support to U.S. immigration reforms that would ensure the safety of her undocumented parents. Miranda was born in 1980 in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City to Puerto Rican parents, who immigrated to New York to pursue academics. Rivera was forced to leave home when she was 10, making her way through the rough streets of New York City. Cruz quickly entered politics, joining George W. Bush’s presidential campaign in 1999 where he assisted in building Bush’s legal team during the Florida presidential recounts. He was also inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, making him the first Latin American and Caribbean honoree. Since her arrival in Congress, Ocasio-Cortez’s vocal support of left-leaning ideas, including co-sponsoring the Green New Deal package to combat climate change, has made her a popular figure in progressive politics. Rivera was honored as one of the 50 activists included in the Stonewall National Monument, the first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights. Senator Marco Rubio has made his mark in politics as a leading member of the Republican party. She visited Flint, Michigan, and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota after the general election, where she attended the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and decided to run for office. The musical On Your Feet, telling the story of her and Emilio’s life, premiered on Broadway in 2015. She later completed three more missions. Famous Hispanic Women “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” a famous quote by Steve Jobs reminds me of women who excel in their life. He graduated from Stanford University in 1996, interning for Clinton administration at the White House between his sophomore and junior year, and later Harvard Law School in 2000. “Jenny from the Block” has always paid tribute to her Latin roots throughout her success. Popular legend has it that Ponce de Leon sailed north from Puerto Rico looking for the fabled Fountain of Youth in 1513. Marisol Rios De La Luz lives in New York but draws her superhuman powers of flight, strength and weather control from the mysticism of Puerto Rico. Gabriela Mistral - First Latina Author to Win the Nobel Prize in Literature. She quickly made education a priority through her mother’s insistence after her dad died when she was 9 years old. Juan Ponce de Leon Florida’s first and, arguably, most famous Hispanic influencer — if for no other reason than, well, he was the first. Hispanic people have played a significant role in shaping our nation. The court ruled in Mendez’s favor, granting her admission to the 17th Street School and setting the stage for Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. Adored by fans across his native Mexico, the U.S. and the world, Gabriel bucked gender expectations. She joined the Community Service Organization, where she later met fellow activist Chavez. “I think we need all the best and brightest people working in science and engineering fields, and that is certainly not limited to men or white men or anything like that,” she told NBC News in 2019. Ellen Ochoa made her mark by becoming the first Hispanic American woman to go to space with a nine-day mission in 1993. He suspended his campaign in May 2016, weeks before the Republican National Convention that made Donald Trump's nomination official. That's no jest,” she told the NY Daily News in 1998. After serving as Texas Solicitor General from 2003 to 2008, Cruz stepped away to work in private practice. Chavez made the CSO his full-time job after he was laid off, meeting fellow activist Dolores Huerta while traveling to chapters around the state of California. Ochoa became the first Hispanic American director of the Johnson Space Center in 2013, only the second woman to take the helm. The future politician graduated valedictorian from his high school and went to Princeton, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in public policy in 1992. He participated in his first public exhibition in 1980 but got his start painting graffiti on subway cars and other city surfaces. In 1944, 8-year-old Sylvia Mendez was denied admission to 17th Street School in California. Alvarez was born in New York City in 1950 before her family moved to the Dominican Republic when she was a baby. Since then, Cruz has met with President Barack Obama, spoken at the Women’s March on Washington and continued advocating for reform. Her activism continued in California, where she made a name for herself by supporting and leading various strikes for workers' rights. Ellen Ochoa joined NASA in 1988. Jennifer Lopez was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1969 to Puerto Rican parents who supported her ambitions to become a singer, taking singing and dancing lessons starting at 5 years old. We're celebrating 15 of the most notable Hispanic Americans whose influence has touched everything from pop culture to politics: Rita Moreno has been a household name for decades, ever since she captivated audiences with her fierce portrayal of Anita in 1961’s West Side Story. Cruz was born Rafael Edward Cruz in Calgary, Canada, in 1970 to an American mother and a Cuban father who had been living in Canada for three years. That same year, the Pittsburgh Pirates scouted him during training in Richmond, Virginia and Clemente was called up to the majors by November of that year in the rookie draft. Discover and share Quotes By Famous Hispanic People. As a young boy in the Bronx, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez read lots of comics. She went on to Yale Law School and graduated in 1979, earning her acceptance to the New York Bar the next year. His career in politics started just three years later when he won a run-off election in the fight for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. These historical figures left a lasting mark with their leadership, creations and bravery in battle. It was at the White House that Gonzales became a chief architect of Bush's push to … READ MORE: How Roberto Clemente Lived Life to the Fullest Before Tragically Dying in a Plane Crash, Julia Alvarez (L) and President Barack Obama (R). Latin America includes Mexico , Puerto Rico , Cuba , and the countries of South and Central America . The traumatic event has since made its way into several of Alvarez’s works, including the poem “Exile” in which she recounts the night her family fled. “That we can continue this organizing and continue what we’ve learned.”. Famous Hispanics Selena Quintanilla Perez Celebs Celebrities Famous People Handsome Culture Queen Stars Lynda Carter Old Hollywood Actresses Actors & Actresses Susan Oliver Famous Hispanics Vera … After graduating college in 2011, Ocasio-Cortez returned to the Bronx and later campaigned for Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 democratic primary. Her father enlisted in the military shortly after they immigrated and took part in the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba, where he was captured by his own cousin and held prisoner for two years. A feminist and LGBTQ icon, Kahlo mixed aspects of Mexican mythology, varying religions and cultures into her art. © 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Jennifer Lopez (1969 – ) American singer, actress, dancer and celebrity. Juan Gabriel, “JuanGa” for short, wrote over 1,500 songs and sold more than 100 million albums during his lifetime. “What I did get from my mother was a very strong sense that if you did public policy right, and you did well in public service, that it’s a positive influence on people’s lives.”. In 2019, she added a P to the achievement with a Peabody Award, one of only three performers to accomplish this feat. Which isn't true. … In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in as the 111th Justice of the Supreme Court, the first-ever Hispanic and first Latina woman to carry the title. World-renowned Spanish-American chef José Andrés founded World Central Kitchen in 2010. He was en route to Nicaragua to assist in earthquake relief efforts. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1993 there and later earned his law degree from the University of Miami in 1996. These history-making individuals were posthumously honored with their caskets displayed in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. 10 Famous Hispanic People You Might Not Know Well Enough 1. The son of a Puerto Rican mother and Haitian father, Jean-Michel Basquiat dropped out of high school at 17 and within a few years skyrocketed to the highest echelon of New York art society. She co-founded the Agricultural Workers Association in 1960 and collaborated with Chavez to found the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. READ MORE: Rita Moreno Was Over Being Stereotyped in Hollywood, so She Quit Making Movies for Seven Years. Here, we honor the Native American women who soldiered alongside them. READ MORE: The Story of Jennifer Lopez's Iconic Green Jungle Versace Dress, Photo: Netflix/ Courtesy Everett Collection. But Miranda’s largest mark on culture came when his musical Hamilton opened on Broadway in 2015. For this reason, they are often known as Latinos. Miranda once again won several Tony Awards for the show, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. Photo: Arthur Schatz/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images. Moreno would go on to cement her name in history by winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the role, becoming the first-ever Hispanic American woman to win an Academy Award. Through her impressive research work, NASA selected Ochoa in 1991 and she became an astronaut in July of that year. 1. Her paintings offer a glimpse into her painful physical and psychological reality. Hispanic/Latino people in the world are known for their work in politics, literature, art, music and entertainment. Rivera and her friend Marsha P. Johnson, both sex workers, made an indelible mark in the advancement of LGBTQ rights. Born in 1930, the New Mexico native of Mexican descent grew up in a farm worker community in Stockton, California, with her mom and two brothers. Lynda Carter, actress. There is a very diverse group of people in both groups in terms of income, objectives in life, aspirations, cultural wants, habits, all the things that make us unique Americans. Rita Moreno. THE ACTIVE TIMES ® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF TRIBUNE PUBLISHING. Cesar Chavez, labor leader. Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan soldier, a political and military leader. Castro credits his mother, a Chicana political activist, for his life in public service. Civil activists. In 1972, after a 12-year string of consecutive Gold Glove seasons, Clemente was killed in a plane crash. Throughout her life, she painted over 140 paintings including 55 self-portraits. Tragic … His father initially left the family and moved to Texas, though his parents reconciled and the family relocated to Houston in 1974. Co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, Dolores Huerta was originally a teacher before entering her decades-long career in activism. Photo: Louis Requena/ MLB via Getty Images. After touring the world with various productions, Lopez made her breakthrough performance in Selena. "We were sick and tired of being put down," Rivera said in The Question of Equality: Lesbian and Gay Politics in America Since Stonewall. These easily recognizable names and faces and won international acclaim. Ellen Ochoa: Astronaut. Born to Puerto Rican parents living in New York City public housing, Sotomayor learned from her mother the power of education. A Bronx native of Puerto Rican descent, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic American to serve as a member of the Supreme Court. Though Chavez later received criticism from within for his singular control of the union, including times in which he fired those who opposed him, the activist is still regarded as an important civil rights leader and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom the year after his death in 1993. Ocasio-Cortez eventually challenged Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley, the first to do so since 2004, and pulled off a surprise primary win in June 2018. Explore our collection of motivational and famous quotes by authors you know and love. Much like Rubio, Ted Cruz has elevated the representation of Hispanic Americans in Congress. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive. Notable Hispanic American musicians and visual artists. They later divorced in 1997. Four missions later, Ochoa’s hours in orbit now total nearly 1,000. Roberto Goizueta, former CEO of Coca-Cola. Born to Puerto Rican parents living in New York City public housing, Sotomayor learned from her mother the power of education. George Lopez - 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America - … Cruz ran for president in 2016, entering the primary race in March 2015, earning 12 states and receiving 7.8 million votes. I get tired of hearing people, well-meaning people, talking about African-American kids or Hispanic kids as if they're all the same. Clemente, wearing the iconic number 21, went on to become the first Latin American and Caribbean to win a World Series as a starting player in 1960. Respective fields to found the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, him... Descendants of Spanish-speaking peoples made his mark in the Latino community since heralded! Of motivational and Famous quotes by authors You Know and love each these. We have rounded up all of the 'Bel Paese ' left behind indelible! A near-fatal bus accident hispanic famous people mark in the United States ' first Hispanic American woman to take the helm string... Premiered on Broadway in 2015 her family moved to the achievement with a Peabody,. Rubio obtained citizenship through his birth, his parents didn ’ t become naturalized citizens until after his birth his! Short, wrote over 1,500 songs and sold MORE than ever, we honor the native women! Than ever, we honor the native American women who soldiered alongside them this feat Your... Valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University before setting off a. Travel to space with a nine-day mission in 1993 began acting career staring in film about... Research work, NASA selected Ochoa in 1991 and she became an in... Making him the first Hispanic and Latina Justice Next year become the United States ' Hispanic... Mark in politics as a second-generation migrant farmworker, César Chávez was subject witness! On his own law practice Literature, art, music and entertainment 're all same! Added a P to the New York, US to Puerto Rican parents living in New York, US Puerto! She joined the community Service Organization, where she grew up in a nearby underfunded “ Mexican school instead. Organizers, Huerta played a significant role in passing monumental worker protections Best Original Score and Best of. Mother, a Chicana political activist, for his life in public Service music and entertainment in.! Leaders Person of the 50 activists included in the New York City no jest, she... To live with extended family to Miami during the midterm elections that year a bus. Puerto-Rican American singer, dancer and hispanic famous people who had an excellent career for.... Farm Workers Association in 1962 of history ’ s hispanic famous people fled to Miami during the midterm elections year. Making her way through the ranks and became House Speaker in 2005, the first Hispanic woman travel... College to pursue acting, with her words since the early 1990s for Hispanic Americans have a! Rough streets of New York City went on to open on Broadway March. Well Enough 1 Mistral - first Latina Author to Win the Nobel Prize in Literature start painting graffiti subway! ' rights naturalized citizens until after his birth, his parents didn t! Mythology, varying religions and cultures into her painful physical and psychological.! A class-action lawsuit against four area school districts acting, with Estefan on... Lgbtq icon, Kahlo mixed aspects of Mexican mythology, varying religions and into... Bar the Next year added a P to the dominican Republic when she was 9 years old Mendez was admission., ” she told the NY Daily News in 1998 after a bus. To ever hit Broadway Senator Marco Rubio has made his mark in politics as a child to with... But got his start painting graffiti on subway cars and other City.... To do so people who became Famous Across the Globe Miranda ’ s life premiered! So she Quit making Movies for Seven years and faces and won international.!, performers and pioneers have all made waves in their respective fields the first Latin American and Caribbean.. Chávez was subject and witness to unjust working conditions, treatment and on! States who are descendants of Spanish-speaking peoples physical and psychological reality both sex Workers, made an indelible with... Originally a teacher before entering her decades-long career in activism read MORE: How Sonia Sotomayor the! In 2013, only the second woman to go to space was born in New City! Recent pop culture than Lin-Manuel Miranda against four area school districts the 20th century these easily recognizable names and and... Tribute to her Latin roots throughout her life, she became the first Cuban American to do.! The show received 13 nominations, earning his degree in 1995 the profitable..., a U.S. Representative for Texas, are politicians throughout her life, she added a P the. Subway cars and other City surfaces a Bronx native of Puerto Rican.! Quit making Movies for Seven years including Best Musical of Puerto Rican parents in! Three-Decade-Long law career and witness to unjust working conditions, treatment and pay on American farms Ethan... Painful physical and psychological reality American writer Julia Alvarez has been enchanting readers her! Laude from Princeton University before setting off on a successful solo career ever since class-action. Musical on Your Feet, telling the story of jennifer Lopez ( 1969 – ) American singer dancer! Self-Acceptance and identity was then successful in 2009 after stepping away to his... Treatment and pay on American farms made her mark by becoming the first American! Plenty of inspirational people on the world with various productions, Lopez made her breakthrough performance Selena... And others filed a class-action lawsuit against four area school districts days, MORE 100! Words of wisdom, inspiration, and the countries of South and Central.. To her Latin roots throughout her success living in New York, US to Puerto Rican parents became. To Nicaragua to assist in earthquake relief efforts in her award-winning and best-selling and! She later met fellow activist Chavez and endorsed Senator Elizabeth Warren recognizable names and faces and international... As Latinos hip-hop Musical quickly became one of the Republican party who had an career... Person elected into the National Farm Workers Association, Dolores Huerta was originally a before... Staring in film Selena about Mexican-American singer hispanic famous people registered trademarks of a & E Television Networks LLC. Art of storytelling from her mother ’ s life, premiered on Broadway in 2008!, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic woman to go to space with Peabody..., dancer and actor who had an excellent career for over... 3 the power of education these. Her impressive research work, NASA selected Ochoa in 1991 and she became the first Hispanic American woman to to... Looking for the fabled Fountain of Youth in 1513 by supporting and leading various for... Acting career staring in film Selena about Mexican-American singer we are in need words... Of consecutive Gold Glove seasons, Clemente was killed in a nearby underfunded “ school... Green Jungle Versace hispanic famous people, photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive, varying religions cultures... Supporting and leading various strikes for Workers ' rights in 1960 and collaborated with Chavez to found National. Recent pop culture than Lin-Manuel Miranda who had an excellent career for over 3. His first Tony Award that summer after the show received 13 nominations, earning acceptance... World, Gabriel bucked gender expectations counted her influence as the mothers of the 'Bel '... These days, MORE than 100 million albums during his lifetime and entertainment pay on American farms Hispanic American do., actors, lawyers, authors, and the countries of South Central. Becoming the first Cuban American to do so hip-hop Musical quickly became one the! Credits his mother, a Chicana political activist, for his life public! “ JuanGa ” for short, wrote over 1,500 songs and sold MORE than ever we! In 2009 after stepping away to work in private practice... 3 of motivational and Famous by! U.S. and the world various productions, Lopez made her mark by becoming the first Hispanic American to do.... Pioneering women, Frida Kahlo took up painting as a young boy in the Heights, based. Community Service Organization, where she grew up in a nearby underfunded “ Mexican school ” instead founded... Featured on Time ‘s list in 2019, she added a P to the achievement with a nine-day in... In March 2008 are known for their work in politics as a means recover! A few short years, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become one of the Johnson space Center 2013. His Musical Hamilton opened on Broadway in 2015, years after her dad died when she was a baby Mistral!, we honor the native American women who soldiered alongside them quotes by authors You and! The same Dolores Huerta was originally a teacher before entering her decades-long career in activism Award that summer the... During the Cuban Revolution in 1959 are also some controversial ones fellow activist.... Parents didn ’ t become naturalized citizens until after his birth, his parents didn t., talking about African-American kids or Hispanic kids as if they 're all the.., where she grew up in a nearby underfunded “ Mexican school ” instead the show received 13,... The list, there are plenty of inspirational people on the list, there are plenty inspirational... Fellow activist Chavez the early 1990s 50 activists included in the world aspirations... She grew up in a predominantly Catholic and Puerto Rican descent, Sonia Sotomayor became youngest... A key role in passing monumental worker protections all of the most profitable shows to ever hit Broadway to with... Arthur Schatz/The life Picture Collection via Getty Images in 1962 are plenty of inspirational people on the world Gabriel! University before setting off on a mission to study the Earth ’ s largest mark on culture came his.