Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 in the United States, and celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. This observance began 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 Sept. 15 and ending Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.
This year’s theme, “Hispanics: Be Proud of Your Past, Embrace the Future,” invites Hispanics to embrace their backgrounds, to be proud of who they are and where they came from. Within the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI), there are many inspiring Latinx women to embrace over the course of AJLI’s, as well our own League’s, history: