Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
A Message from Dr. Eva Martinez Powless, Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer.
Dear MATC Community,
National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place every year from September 15 to October 15, as a time to honor the rich history and diverse cultures of the Hispanic community. During the month, we celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic, Latino/a and Latinx-identifying individuals who are making a difference in our society today. We honor the legacy of leaders like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Sylvia Rivera. We remember the social, political, educational and cultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. And, for many Hispanics, we carry the memories and stories of our ancestors in the face of oppression, racism, prejudice and injustice.
The month serves as an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the Hispanic community’s struggle for justice, equity and liberation. The Mendez family fought racial segregation in the 1940s during a time when Mexican Americans in California were excluded and discriminated against in public places. Various models of resistance brought forth different forms of activism in the Hispanic community, such as the Chicano, Puerto Rican, Farmworker and Immigration movements. These historical points tell a story of empowerment, struggle and a need for equality. During Hispanic Heritage Month, join me in honoring the groundbreaking work of many Hispanic individuals across the United States.
MATC, the Latinx Unidos student organization and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are hosting several events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. You can find the list of events at matc.edu. The Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Committee, under the leadership of Dr. Patricia Torres Najera, hosted the first annual SOMOS MATC student orientation and second annual HSI Day of Engagement.
During the month, I encourage you to continue to create spaces for belonging and support for all MATC faculty, students and staff. This aligns with our value of inclusion and equity as a strategic priority. As we wrap up the first year of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, we know that we still have work to do in our journey to become a more equitable and inclusive college.
For more information about the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, please visit our website.
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Sincerely,
Eva Martinez Powless, Ph.D.
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer