United States: National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15th through October 15th, 2024
B. Maurice Ward
Servant Leader: Driving excellence through inclusion, belonging, and community-building, implementing strategic programs that align all initiatives, delivery, and narrative with leadership intent and best practices.
I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and high spirits. As always, I'm excited to share the latest news on our Equity initiatives, success stories, and developments from our organization. To all our community members and partners out there, your unwavering support and commitment to the cause continue to inspire us every day.
In an increasingly diverse and multicultural society, it’s more important than ever for us to connect, engage, and learn about, with, and from one another. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
With our Equity articles we hope to continue building a foundation for fostering a safe and inclusive environment while building community and increasing belonging.
Our articles are designed to help us support our employees, patients, and community better. Our goal is to shine a light on all of the amazing diverse communities that our employees represent while creating awareness and encouraging acceptance, so we can thrive in an exponentially diverse world!
Now let's all come together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and learn more about our new Chief Strategy & Business Innovation Officer (CSBIO) Yamelsie Rodriguez. Thank you for all that you do to achieve Health Equity and to deliver on Care. No Matter What.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 in the United States. This month-long celebration honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The celebration began as a week-long event in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The dates are significant because they coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th.
The month features various events, exhibitions, performances, and educational programs that highlight the achievements and rich cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latin (including Latinx and or Latine, which are the most widely used alternatives for queer and the gender-diverse folks) communities. It’s a time to acknowledge the impact of these communities on the country and foster greater understanding and appreciation of their contributions. On behalf of PPGNHAIK, we would like to highlight and appreciate the outstanding leadership and work of Yamelsie Rodriguez, our new Chief Strategy and Business Innovation Officer (CSBIO).
Sidenote: Although people tend to use Latino (including Latinx and or Latine, which are the most widely used alternatives for queer and the gender-diverse folks) and Hispanic interchangeably, actually they are two different things. Most Latinos and Hispanics generally prefer to identify themselves by their country of origin rather than the labels (created by the US government) Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish. Here’s a great tool for folks interested in learning more about the various terms, their history, and some do’s and don’ts:
And because we engage so heavily in encouraging participation in electoral politics that it would be remiss to lift up something like Hispanic/Latino Heritage month and not call out how Latino immigrant populations are being villainized by various candidates from both parties right now and how harmful that is to the inclusion of the Hispanic and Latin (including Latinx and or Latine) community.
"It is important for all of us to appreciate where we come from and how that history has really shaped us in ways that we might not understand." – Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court Judge
Executive Leadership Team (ELT) Spotlight: Yamelsie Rodriguez
We'd like to recognize the exceptional efforts of our dedicated Chief Strategy and Business Innovation Officer (CSBIO) who tirelessly contribute their time and skills. This month, we shine the spotlight on Yamelsie Rodriguez, who has been an invaluable asset to our organization's Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and our Clinical Services (CS) program. Yamelsie's passion for community and her commitment to helping others have made a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals. Here’s an interesting coincidence- Yamelsie is also a Sotomayor. In Puerto Rico, like in most countries in the Caribbean, Central, and South America, they use both parents' last names. So, her full legal name is Yamelsie Rodriguez Sotomayor. When people see her passport, they always ask if she's related to Justice Sotomayor, who is also Puerto Rican. Thank you, Yamelsie, for being a true embodiment of our organization's mission. Care. No Matter What.
Yamelsie Rodriguez - CSBIO
Yamelsie Rodriguez has been a visionary leader and advocate for reproductive health care and rights, having dedicated the last two decades to strategically positioning two Planned Parenthood affiliates into strongholds for reproductive healthcare and rights in the Midwest. Her transformative leadership has been marked by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to advancing health equity and reproductive freedom.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Yamelsie brings a rich cultural background to her leadership roles. Her commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion is deeply rooted in her personal and professional journey.
As the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, she has not only overseen strategic initiatives in reproductive health but has also been a driving force in creating an inclusive organizational culture. To learn more about Yamelsie's background, here’s a personal article Yamelsie wrote during her time as PPSLR’s CEO:
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In 2019, the National Diversity Council recognized Yamelsie as a Top Latino Leader for creating and promoting a culture where diverse talent is supported and promoted. In 2022, the St. Louis Business Journal recognized her as Champion of Diversity & Inclusion in Healthcare, highlighting her impactful work fostering a more inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.
In 2024, Yamelsie brought her transformative leadership and innovation mindset to PPGNHAIK, where she became our first Chief Strategy and Business Innovation Officer (CSBIO). Welcome aboard!
Tell Me More About Hispanic Heritage….
Hispanic Heritage Month has a rich history that reflects the growing recognition of Hispanic and Latino (Latinx/Latine) contributions to the United States. It began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, initiated by California Congressman George E. Brown. This was during a time when the civil rights movement was highlighting the diverse cultural identities within the U.S.
President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the fir st proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Week on September 17, 1968. The week-long celebration was later expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, officially becoming Hispanic Heritage Month. This extension allowed for a more comprehensive recognition of the significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino (Latinx/Latine) Americans.
The dates from September 15th to October 15th were chosen to coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. This period also includes Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is celebrated on October 12th.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino (Latinx/Latine) Americans. It includes various events such as festivals, educational activities, and cultural performances that highlight the vibrant and diverse heritage of these communities.
Notable Hispanic Figures in History
There are many notable Hispanic figures who have made significant contributions across various fields. Here are a few:
César Chávez - A labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). He fought for better working conditions for farm workers in the U.S.
Dolores Huerta - Co-founder of the UFW alongside César Chávez, she has been a tireless advocate for labor rights and social justice.
Sonia Sotomayor - The first Latina Supreme Court Justice in the United States, appointed in 2009. She has been a trailblazer in the legal field.
Ellen Ochoa - The first Latina astronaut to go to space. She flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1993 and later became the director of the Johnson Space Center.
Gabriela Mistral - A Chilean poet-diplomat, educator, and humanist who was the first Latin American author to receive a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. (Sidenote: Gabriela is also one of Yamelsie's personal heroes!)
Sylvia Rivera - A Puerto Rican-Venezuelan transgender activist who was a prominent figure in the early gay liberation and transgender rights movements.
Until Next Time
Thank you for being an integral part of the community. Together, we can continue to bring hope, joy, purpose, and opportunity to those who need it most. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!