Art & Culture
Often referred to as the "Queen of Tejano Music" the Texan-born singer is regarded as one of the most influential Mexican-American singers of the 20th century thanks to her fast-paced hits which are ode to accordion-based Latin music.
Selena
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and raised in Argentina and the United States, this scientist's research led to the discovery of the Chicxulub impact crater. The impact that caused the formation of the crater is said to have resulted in the extinction of over 50% of Earth's species, including dinosaurs some 66 million years ago.
Adriana Ocampo
This Dominican-American former designated hitter and first baseman played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball. He is known for having amassed more than 540 home runs and 2,470 hits in his career. In 2016, the Red Sox retired his jersey.
David Ortiz
Born in Arizona this American labor leader and civil rights activist co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union.
Cesar Chavez
Born to Puerto Rican parents, she is an American lawyer and jurist who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She was nominated by President Barack Obama on May 26, 2009, and has served since August 8, 2009. She is known for being the first Latina to serve as the Supreme Court of the United States.
Sonia Sotomayor
At 45 years old, this Puerto Rican-American composer, actor, filmmaker, and playwright has won 45 awards. This collection includes three Tony Awards, three Emmy Awards, five Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He is best known for his acclaimed hip-hop musical, Hamilton, and his work on the soundtrack of the Academy Award-winning Disney film, Encanto.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Born in Puerto Rico, this neuroscientist served as Deputy Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State during the Obama-Biden administration. Here she coordinated international and domestic policy, including climate change as well as global scientific cooperation.
Frances Colón
Born to Dominican parents this former shortstop and third baseman played 22 seasons of Major League Baseball for teams Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport given the fact that he is a three-time MVP winner and 14-time All-Star.
Alex Rodriguez
Born in New Mexico, this American labor leader and civil rights activist was co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers labor union. She is famous for having coined the phrase "Si Se Puede" and for characterizing the Chicano Movement throughout the '60s and '70s.
Dolores Huerta
Born in Puerto Rico, this actress, dancer, and singer is noted for her work on stage and screen in a career spanning over seven decades. Moreno is one of the last remaining stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was the first Latina to win an Academy Award.
Rita Moreno
One of the most prominent Latina voices in American literature, this Mexican-American author's first published book, The House on Mango Street was a recipient of the American Book Award in 1985, and, in 1995, she became the first Latina to be named MacArthur Fellow
Sandra Cisneros
This scientist of Spanish heritage was an American experimental physicist and inventor who joined the Manhattan Project in 1943 and earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1968. He is credited with having created the hypothesis that the extinction of dinosaurs was the result of an asteroid along with his son.
Luis Álvarez
Born in Puerto Rico this baseball player played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and in 1973 became the first Latino player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Roberto Clemente
Born to a Puerto Rican family, this politician has served as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019. Taking office at age 29, she is the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Of Mexican descent, this American engineer, former astronaut, and former director of the Johnson Space Center became the first Hispanic woman to go to space in 1993.
Ellen Ochoa
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, this American fashion designer rose to fame in the 1960s and '70s following his work with celebrities and former first lady Jackie Kennedy. His work has contributed to the definition of elegant dressing among socialites and his designs can be seen on numerous first ladies, including Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. Recently, the fashion house has designed for celebrities like Doja Cat and Taylor Swift.
Oscar de la Renta
Born in Jalisco, Mexico this scientist's family was forced to move to the United States following the Mexican Revolution. She is known for having pioneered the field of viral oncology research and for being the first to show that cancer-causing viruses can spread.
Sarah Stewart
Born to Puerto Rican parents, this former professional basketball player played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association, was named an NBA All-Star ten times and an All-NBA Team member six times. He was a teammate of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
Carmelo Anthony
Born in Guatemala, she was a social activist and participant in the United States labor movement during the 1930s and '40s. She unionized workers, led strikes, and wrote pamphlets in both English and Spanish.
Luisa Moreno
Born in Puerto Rico, this physician was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and served as the 14th Surgeon General of the United States from 1990 to 1993. Novello was the first woman and first Hispanic to serve as Surgeon General.
Antonia Novello
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, this American fashion designer debuted her first fashion collection in 1981 after moving to New York in 1980. Since her first runway show, she has grown her company into a global brand. Her designs can be seen on notable figures in fashion such as Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama. Perhaps amongst her most recognizable designs is Bella Swan's wedding dress from the Twilight series.
Carolina Herrera
Born in Mexicali, Mexico, this neurosurgeon is the current William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor and Chair of Neurologic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He is an internationally known neuroscientist who leads cutting-edge research to cure brain cancer.
Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
This gymnast of Puerto Rican descent competed as a member of the U.S. women's gymnastics team dubbed the "Final Five" at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Despite it being her debut year as a senior gymnast, she helped the U.S. win gold in the team event.
Laurie Hernandez
Of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent, she was a constant advocate for gay liberation and transgender rights. Her name has become synonymous with the Stonewall Riots, which revolutionized the gay rights movement and activism as a whole. After the rebellion, she continued to fight against racism and transgender exclusion within the LGBT+ community.
Sylvia Rivera
Of Puerto Rican descent, this American pediatrician, educator, and women's rights activist was the first Latina president of the American Public Health Association, a founding member of the Women's Caucus of the APHA, and a recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal.
Helen Rodríguez-Trías