Hispanic Heritage Month

Dallas College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Leo Rosas Staff Writer

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year, pHispanic Heritage Month: Dallas Community Leaders

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year, people, and especially the educational community, are called upon to observe the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

According to hispanicheritagemonth.gov, “The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.”

Consequently, Dallas College hosted its first event of Hispanic Heritage Month with a panel discussion at North Lake Campus on Sept. 20 and featured accomplished Hispanic figures from within Dallas County and key leaders from Dallas College.

The event, dubbed “Hispanic Leaders: A Journey of Life and Leadership Through the Ages”, included Ana-Maria Ramos, House District 102 state representative, Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, DISD superintendent, Cynthia Cano, digital marketing manager and Monica Lira Bravo district #4 chair, Board of Dallas College Trustees.

The panelists discussed culture, genderbased expectations, trials, and triumphs. Notably, Elizalde spoke of the opposition she faced

when she was superintendent of Austin ISD. “The biggest challenge was being a woman and being a Latina in that position. I was told that it would make it easier for me in Austin if I used my mother’s maiden name. I was also told it would help if I would be less Latina and less professional; that I didn’t need to wear a suit or a blazer to every meeting. At one point I was told I needed to be more emotional. I asked myself, would any of that have been said if I was a man?”

Rather than respond to criticism with bitterness, Elizalde said she gets creative. One time, in order to not be excluded from a group decision in which she was the only woman, Elizalde took up golf lessons so that she could join the guys at the golf course on Sundays and have her say in things.

Beyond tribulations, Bravo, who runs her own law firm, offered her advice for Hispanic young adults aspiring to be elected politicians and leaders.

Bravo has served on the City of Dallas Judicial Nominating Commission. She was also involved with the Dallas Bar Association, where she did pro bono volunteer work and worked with leaders throughout the community. She said there are so many different platforms such as these where one can help and hone leadership skills, without necessarily jumping straight into elected positions.

“You can’t be an effective leader if you can’t take care of your basic needs first. You need to have a good paying job. Because [Hispanic people] don’t have a history of generational wealth, it’s important that you take care of yourself first, that you establish your career. Before you get [to a leadership position], find a way that you can get back.”

Staff Photos Leo Rosas Some of the female leaders pose at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

Richland honors Hispanic culture with dance, games and friends

Lady hits a piñata during the Hispanic culture celebration.

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Dallas College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month