Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) is a time to celebrate the history, cultures, contributions, and achievements of those with Hispanic and Latino heritage in the U.S.
September 15 is the important starting date for this month because it is the independence anniversary of Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Dia de la Raza also falls within this month, on October 12.
Castro Valley has a significant Hispanic population. According to the 2020 US Census, 10,532 people (16%) identified themselves as having Hispanic or Latino heritage. In its latest report, Castro Valley Unified School District says 24 percent of its student population is Hispanic or Latino.
In celebration, Castro Valley Library is hosting a few events starting next month, including a daylong series of arts and crafts for kids in the Children's section on October 14 and a performance by Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí on October 17.
“This dance group has a mission to promote the pride of identifying as an LGBTQ+ Latinx through the art of Mexican folkloric dance,” says librarian Nathan Silva. “Before and after their performance, we will have a giveaway of free books for all ages in Spanish and English that celebrate the diversity of the Latinx community.”
Other local organizations are spotlighting their Hispanic employees, talking about what their heritage means to them and how it plays a role in their lives.
Maria Moreno, who lives in the Bay Area and works at Sutter Health as a Health Equity specialist, was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, and came to the U.S. to live permanently when she was 7 years old.
“Being Latina and of Mexican heritage is a big part of who I am today and has given me the passion and the experiences that have brought me to where I am personally and professionally,” Moreno says.
Rodrigo Flamenco, who works in Sutter's Pediatrics Outpatient Clinics, says he can relate to people who don’t understand the language when they come to a doctor’s appointment or to the hospital.
“I decided to go into the healthcare profession after graduating from UC Davis with a bachelor’s in biological sciences,” Flamenco says. “I chose to become a professional medical interpreter because I was able to witness some amazingly talented medical interpreters at the hospital. They inspired me to become one, and because I had the skill of being fluent in both languages and the heart to help people, it was an easy choice.”