Did you know that March is Women’s History Month?
I mean, in reality, we should be celebrated 24/7, 365 days a year, one month does not do us justice. What started as a local celebration in Northern California in the late ‘70s to align with International Women’s Day spread to other communities and now we celebrate and honor the strength and resilience of women for a whole month. I know, only one month?
But what does this have to do with jewelry? It really doesn’t. Sharing this information with you is all about appreciating the contributions these women have made to society. And I’d like to think that one of the ways they express themselves, besides reaching the highest echelons in their professions, is by wearing a piece of jewelry to share their shine with the world.
Our Latinx/Chicanx women have made significant contributions in a wide range of fields, from science and politics to the arts and activism without making any apologies for being true to themselves. Here are just a few examples of some of the most impactful and their achievements:
Sonia Sotomayor
Dolores Huerta
A civil rights activist and labor leader, Dolores Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union alongside Cesar Chavez in 1962. She has fought for better working conditions and fair wages for farm workers, and has been a leading voice in the Chicano movement. People mistakenly gave credit to Cesar Chavez for coining our daily mantra “Si se puede.” It was Delores! And President Obama wanted to make sure she received the credit she deserved when he corrected the masses and awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
Selena Quintanilla
Known as the "Queen of Tejano Music," Selena Quintanilla was a beloved singer and performer who broke barriers for Latina representation in the music industry. She was tragically murdered in 1995 at the age of 23, but her legacy lives on through her music and her impact on Latinx culture. I will always remember going to Rosedale Park on the west side of San Antonio in the mid-80s to watch Selena perform so to now see her global impact makes me so proud.
Ellen Ochoa
In 1993, Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina astronaut to travel to space. She has also worked as a research engineer and inventor, and was the first Hispanic director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. She created several systems and methods that were awarded patents. How bad-ass is she?
Sandra Cisneros
A renowned writer and poet, Sandra Cisneros is best known for her book "The House on Mango Street." She has received numerous awards for her writing and has been a powerful voice in the Chicano literary movement. This quote from 2021 is my #lifegoal: “I’ve put up with too much, for too long, and now I’m just too intelligent, too powerful, too beautiful, too sure of who I am finally to deserve anything less.” Mike-drop….
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
In 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Congress. She has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, and has inspired a new generation of young women to get involved in politics. In 2022, she co-sponsored the Puerto Rico Status Act, which is a step towards a new political future for the people of PR. The chance for progress warms my heart seeing as I found out just last year that my father, who I never got the chance to meet, was Puerto Rican! (More on this story later.)
These women are just a few examples of the many incredible Latina leaders, activists, artists, and trailblazers who have made a lasting impact on society. We may not agree on everything they say or do but there is no denying that they are some super bad-ass women who inspire us to live our best lives.
Who are some of the women you look up to and why? Tell us all about that woman warrior in the comments. We all want to know who inspires you to be your shiniest self.
-M