Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced a resolution to celebrate the contributions of Latinas in the United States during National Women’s History Month. The Senators’ resolution honors the heritage, culture and contributions of Latinas in a variety of fields while acknowledging the pervasive barriers that prevent their full recognition as equal members of society. Representative Lou Correa (D-Calif.) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.
“I’m proud to introduce a resolution that honors Latinas in the United States for their contributions to our society and recognizes the indelible mark they’ve left on our communities,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From engineering, to business, education and public service, Latinas are vital to our success in Nevada and America. As the first Latina to serve in the United States Senate, I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to celebrate the achievements of Latinas, address the unique challenges faced by Latinas and fight for their priorities in Congress.”
“For generations, millions of Latinas –just like my mother Evangelina– have enriched our nation with their love of freedom, thirst for equality and opportunity, and unyielding belief in the American dream,” said Senator Menendez. “I’m proud to join Sen. Cortez Masto in recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas which are essential to our economy, our society and our communities. So long as the Trump Administration continues to attack us, I will keep using the strength and wisdom instilled in me by a Latina to raise my voice and stand up for what is right.”
“Latinas have been making America better since our nation’s inception and have contributed in numerous ways including business, the arts and public service at every level of government,” said Representative Correa. “I am proud to reintroduce this resolution not only to honor Latinas but to inspire young Latinas. Because of these trailblazers, they have no limits.”
In addition to Senators Cortez Masto and Menendez, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Penn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) also cosponsored this resolution.
A copy of the resolution can be found HERE and below:
Title: Recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States.
Whereas the United States celebrates National Women’s History Month every March to recognize and honor the achievements of women throughout the history of the United States;
Whereas there are nearly 28,000,000 Latinas living in the United States;
Whereas 1 in 6 women in the United States is a Latina;
Whereas Latinas have helped shape the history of the United States since its inception;
Whereas Latinas contribute to the society of the United States through working in many industries, including business, education, science and technology, medicine, engineering, mathematics, literature and the arts, the military, agriculture, hospitality, and public service at every level of government;
Whereas Latinas come from diverse cultures across North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, and Afro-Latinas face disparities in recognition;
Whereas Latinas are dedicated public servants, holding posts at the highest levels of the Federal Government, including the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Cabinet, the United States Senate, and the United States House of Representatives;
Whereas Latinas make up an estimated 16 percent of women in the Armed Forces, and the first Latina became a general in the United States Marine Corps in 2006;
Whereas Latinas are breaking the glass ceiling in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics field, and in 1993 the first Latina went into space during a 9-day Space Shuttle Discovery mission;
Whereas Latinas own nearly 2,000,000 businesses and 1 in 6 women-owned companies in the United States is owned by a Latina;
Whereas Latina activists have led the fight for civil rights, including labor rights, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and racial equality;
Whereas Latinas create award-winning art and are recipients of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards;
Whereas Latina singers and songwriters, like Selena, also known as the Queen of Tejano music, and Celia Cruz, also known as the Queen of Salsa, have made lasting and significant contributions to music throughout the world;
Whereas Latinas serve in the medical profession, and the first female and first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States was appointed 1990;
Whereas Latinas are paid just 53 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men;
Whereas, in the face of societal obstacles, including unequal pay, disparities in education, health care needs, and civil rights struggles, Latinas continue to break through and thrive;
Whereas the United States should continue to invest in the future of Latinas to address the barriers they face; and
Whereas, by 2060, Latinas will represent one third of the female population of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) celebrates and honors the successes of Latinas and the contributions they have made and continue to make to the United States; and
(2) recognizes the changes that are still to be made to ensure that Latinas can realize their full potential as equal members of society.
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