Every year on September 15th, the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month begins.  This month is used as a way to celebrate and honor all the contributions of those with Hispanic/Lantinx heritage.  Hispanic and Latinx cover so much more than Mexico.  

It is such a common myth that the label “Hispanic” only refers to individuals with Mexican heritage; Hispanic & Latinx culture includes so many diverse countries. This month is meant to celebrate and honor the contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Hispanic Heritage month deliberately falls during a period when we honor the celebration of many different countries' independence days. The following countries that celebrate during this time period are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile.  

When I think of Hispanic Heritage Month as someone who shares in this heritage, and what it means to me, I automatically think of my grandparents. They are the reason why my family has lived in the United States since 1958. My grandmother was 27 and my grandfather was 30 when they crossed the border and settled in Brownsville, Texas. Despite moving to America when they were young, my grandparents still carried the stories and culture of Mexico and passed it down to us. I remember as a young child, making tortillas in my grandmother’s house. I used to love to hear her stories about her youth in Mexico, or the Spanish nicknames they would give me as a child.  

I feel incredibly blessed to be sitting here, in the United States, writing this blog 63 years later. I always sit and wonder how it feels to be them reflecting on their decision from so long ago to now. Coming to a foreign country to start a new life with your husband and 2 young children. 4 more children and a lot of grandchildren (and great grandchildren) later, our families’ roots are now in Chicago. I admire all of their hard work and perseverance that has allowed me to grow up in the United States. I think what is most admirable is that they never forgot where they came from.  

Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to explore the many different cultures that fall under the Hispanic umbrella. I encourage you to do research about the traditions and celebrations around this beautiful culture. I know I will use this month to learn more about my own heritage and what it means to me to be a woman of Hispanic heritage.  

-Gillian Pena, Associate Consultant