It's Martin Luther King Day, a time to pay tribute to the iconic leader that spurred the civil rights movement and created lasting change in society.
His legacy has long since been an inspiration to many, including leaders of the Latino community who have followed in his footsteps to make a difference of their world. Hispanic activities like Dolores Huertas and Cesar Chavez shared Martin Luther King Jr.'s commitment to improving the lives of others and giving a voice to many who had no way of speaking out.
So, in honor of the holiday, here are four Latino icons who were inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and his work:
Pedro Albizu Campos
Albizu Campos was a famed Puerto Rican activist, and the leader of the Puerto Rican independence movement. He became the first Puerto Rican to graduate from Harvard University, where he graduated at the top of his class in 1921. As the president of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, he was imprisoned several times for his strong beliefs and calls for uprisings.
Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez was a labor leader and civil rights activist, who along with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. His Mexican American heritage and support of Hispanic workers has made him an icon in the Latino community.
Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta first started her activism at a young age and continued throughout the rest of her life, including her years as a school teacher in Stockton, California. In fact, the poverty she saw in the classroom is what first inspired her activism. Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association alongside famed activist, César Chávez and later served as the first vice president of the United Farm Workers.
The Mendez Family
Mendez vs. Westminster was a 1946 federal court case that challenged racial segregation in Orange County schools, and predated the crucial Brown vs. Board of Education. In its ruling, the U.S. court held that the segregation of Mexican and Mexican American students into separate schools was unconstitutional. Here's Sylvia Mendez, the daughter of lead plaintiff Gonzalo Mendez, receiving a Medal of Freedom by President Obama.
Sonia Sotomayor
She broke new ground for the Hispanic community and particularly Latina women everywhere when, after years of hard work, she became the first ever Latina Justice of the Supreme Court.
Hilda Solis
Hilda Lucia Solis was the United States Secretary of Labor and the first Hispanic woman to serve in the U.S. Cabinet. She focused largely on issues of safety in the workplace and on strengthening compliance with wage and hour laws.
Erika Andiola
Erika Andiola is a founder of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, a group of young immigrants who advocate giving legal status to people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Just recently, it was announced she's joining the staff of U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema as a district outreach director.
