Saint Mary’s Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month 2023
¡Que comience la celebración! Here are a few events happening in the SMC community as part of Latinx Heritage Month. And some stories from the Gael community.
Here at Saint Mary’s, we’re in the midst of celebrating Latinx Heritage Month. Held each year from September 15 to October 15, this is an opportunity to honor the rich cultures, histories, and invaluable contributions of Latin American and Hispanic individuals in the United States.
Saint Mary’s is proud to have earned recognition as a Hispanic Serving Institution—and, just this month, to have once again earned recognition as a First-gen Forward college within the First Scholars Network. And we’re excited to have students, faculty, and staff hosting a series of events where all are welcome to engage with Latinx cultures, learn about issues affecting Latinx communities, and celebrate diversity on campus. We’re also sharing a series of stories focused on the SMC Latinx community.
Over the next few weeks, here are a few events happening on campus and online:
Tuesday, September 26
Representing Latinidad in Media and Culture
Race, Communication, and Representation
7 p.m., Claeys Lounge, Soda Activity Center
With Saint Mary’s faculty:
- Álvaro Ramírez | Professor, World Languages and Cultures
- Sixto Monetsinos Jr. | Head of Instrumental Studies
- Chris Feliciano Arnold | Director, MFA in Creative Writing
Sponsored by the Communication Department and the Roy E. & Patricia Disney Forum, the panel will discuss how Latinx people and culture are portrayed in film, music, and literature.
Wednesday, September 27
Pause for Poetry: Latinx Heritage Month
1:30–2:15 p.m., Saint Albert Hall Library, 2nd Floor
The Library and MFA in Creative Writing invite you to take a study break with a few minutes of poetry read by SMC's talented undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. At this month's Lantinx Heritage Month reading, featured poets include Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, celebrated author of Children of the Land and Cenzontle, and MFA in Creative Writing candidates Diana Jean Skeen, Natalie Davis, and Camila Elizabet Aguirre Aguilar.
Wednesday, September 27
Song for Cesar film screening
A screening followed by a discussion with the directors
6:30–9 p.m., LeFevre Theatre
What started as a simple song that Abel Sanchez wrote to commemorate the work of the late Cesar Chavez, who along with Dolores Huerta, organized the United Farmworkers Union, grew into something much bigger. With the blessings and perspectives of Maya Angela, Dolores Huerta, and many others, the filmmaking partnership with Andres Alegria (who is the co-director) grew into a music video and then a feature-length film. The film takes on the question of what the role of music and art is in building and sustaining a social justice movement as powerful as the United Farmworkers Union.
Screening to be followed by a moderated discussion with Professor of History Myrna Santiago. This event is brought to you by the Center for Women & Gender Equity in partnership with Women's & Gender Studies, History, Performing Arts, Campus Safety, Residential Experience, and the Intercultural Center.
Friday, October 6
Federal Government Internships Info Session for Hispanic Serving Institutions
1–2 p.m., Dante Hall 118
Meet with a representative from The Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities, which supports emerging Hispanic Serving Institutions, such as Saint Mary's. Learn about paid internships, remote or on-site, in federal agencies across the United States: with the Library of Congress, US Treasury, US Department of Justice, and so much more!
Second-year, third-year, and fourth-year undergraduate students as well as graduate students of all majors, all identities, and all affiliations are encouraged to apply; eligible students must have completed at least one year of college.
Wednesday, October 11
ALLIPAS Heritage Celebration
Creative & Connected: Practices in Indigenous Art and Dance — with Noxtin Nomecayotzin
6:30–8:30 p.m., Soda Center
Come join this interactive workshop and learn Danza Azteca! ALLIPAS (the Afro-Latinx/Latinx/Indigenous People’s Action Subcommittee at Saint Mary’s) hosts Indigenous educators Noxtin Nomecayotzin, leading our community in art, Danza Azteca, and self-discovery. Noxtin Nomecayotzin translates from Nahuatl as "All My Relations," a phrase that acknowledges the interconnectedness among all people and living things. RSVP here. Questions? Email Rebecca Anguiano, faculty co-chair, or Gaby Bermudez Ramirez, staff co-chair.
Thursday, October 12
Latinas in Leadership
Dean's Executive Speaker Series, School of Economics and Business Administration
6 p.m. online
This timely discussion for Hispanic Heritage Month will investigate defining success as a Latina; imposter syndrome and first generation; belonging and identity as a Latina; and how heritage affects one's professional life.
The panel will be moderated by Executive Director of LatinaVIDA and Saint Mary's Alum, Tammy Ramos ’93, JD. Panelists include:
- Michelle Aguayo, MBA ’13 | Principal Operations Lead, Genentech
- Roxana Damas, MBA ’15 | CEO, RGD Enterprises, Inc.
- Janeth Medina, MBA | Strategic Planning & Business Operations Manager, eBay Inc.
Wednesday, October 25
Dia De Los Muertos — The Art of Remembering
Activist, Artist, and Muralist Lucia Gonzalez Ippolito
1:30–3:30 p.m., Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art
Join us in learning about the journey of activist and muralist Lucia Gonzalez Ippolito, the cultural context of Dia De Los Muertos, and practice the art of remembering with hands-on projects and discussion. For questions or ADA accommodations, contact Sharon Sobotta.
Friday, October 27
Dia De Los Muertos Concert 2023
Presented By Baile Folklorico Guadalupano and SMC Dance Company
8–10 p.m., Moraga Room, Soda Activity Center
Join us for an evening of remembrance and celebration! You are welcome to bring a copy of a photo of a deceased loved one to put on the altar during the event. Special Guests: Ballet Folklórico Costa de Oro & Grupo Folklórico Sueño Mío.
TICKETS: Students $5 | Faculty/Staff/Non-SMC Student $8 | General Admission $10
A limited amount of tickets are available to purchase outside the Soda Center starting at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. Purchase your tickets ahead of time here. Questions? Contact Tara Sunday at (925) 631-4670 or tms8@stmarys-ca.edu.
Ongoing
National Hispanic Heritage Month Collection Highlight at the SMC Library
View nonfiction, fiction, children's books, and e-books highlighting Latinx stories and changemakers.
More events will be added as information becomes available.
Read the Stories
We’re also highlighting stories from the Saint Mary’s community about faculty, students, and others who are part of the Latinx community. Here are a couple to start with:
In Their Own Words: Mathematician Anastasia Chavez on the PRIMES Grant, Her First-Gen Journey, and the Joy of ‘Unknowing’
The National Science Foundation grant supports research at minority-serving institutions. For Chavez, it allows her to puzzle with matroids, build relationships with students, and continue disrupting the narrative of “who does math.”
Watch on KPIX TV: Mayra Jiménez, a daughter of farmworkers, beats the odds to attend college, hoping to give parents a better life
KPIX met with Mayra Jiménez when she was working on a corn farm in the East Bay. A couple of weeks later, she was packing up her things, preparing to start her second year at Saint Mary's. For this first-generation college student who came to the US about 10 years ago, her parents are her inspiration.
Annalouisa Gonzalez-Ortega ’96, MA ’00, MA ’08 Named a Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year
Annalouisa Gonzalez-Ortega is a first-generation Mexican American who was raised by parents who always emphasized the importance of education. She was a translator for her family at an early age and learned to become her own advocate early in her educational journey. After being dismissed by her high school counselor when she asked for help with her college applications, she went on to become the first person in her family to apply, be accepted, attend, and graduate (with two bachelor’s degrees) from Saint Mary’s.
More About Latinx Heritage Month
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
READ MORE: Remembering the Remarkable Life of Brother Camillus Chavez
Latinx Graduate Celebration 2023 Highlights the Community’s Role as Change Agents
New Presidential Responsibilities for Angélica Garcia ’98 — in California and for the White House
And stay up to date with the latest from around the Saint Mary’s community at the SMC NewsCenter.
Story updated October 9 at 4:30 p.m.
Steven Boyd Saum is the Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Content at Saint Mary’s. Write him.