Political Icons

Here are a few of the most influential Latina/o political icons we've seen and read about! While there may be many, many more, these individuals shaped politics, civil rights, and human rights in America and should be recognized!

1. Nydia Velazquez (Puerto Rico) - The first Puerto Rican woman in Congress (1992); Representative for NY's 12th District

2. Herman Badillo (Puerto Rico) - The first Puerto Rican in Congress (1970); Representative for NY's 21st District

3. Jose M. Hernandez (US/Spain) - The first Latino in Congress (1882); Representative of Florida

4. Octavio A. Larrazolo (Mexico) - The first Latino Senator (1929); Senator of New Mexico

5. Antonio Villaraigoso (US/Mexico) - The first Chicano/Latino mayor of Los Angeles

6. Henry Cisneros (US/Mexico) - First Latino to be mayor of a major city, San Antonio, TX (1981); and served under Clinton as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1993)

7. Bill Richardson (US/Mexico) - US Ambassador to the UN under Clinton; Former Secretary of Energy under Clinton; Current Governor of New Mexico; Major Democratic Party Nominee for President; and selected as possible Secretary of Commerce under Obama

8. Dolores Huerta (US/Mexico) - Chicana leader, organized the grape boycotts of the 1960s; cultural icon for workers' rights; co-founder of the United Farm Workers.

9. Cesar Chavez (US/Mexico) - Chicano civil rights leader; co-founder of the UFW.

10. Pedro Albizu Campos (Puerto Rico) - Puerto Rican Nationalist Party leader in the 1920-30s; promoter of Puerto Rican nationalism and progress.

11. Alberto Gonzalez (US/Mexico) - First Latino to be appointed US Attorney General under the Bush administration (2005)

12. Mel Martinez (Cuba) - Arrived in the US under "Operation Peter Pan" from Cuba at age 15; served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Bush (2001); first Cuban to be elected to US Senate (2004)

13. Loretta Sanchez (US/Mexico) - First set of sisters in Congress; Loretta and Linda serve simultaneously in Congress representing California's 47th and 39th districts respectively.

14. Linda Sanchez (US/Mexico) - First set of sisters in Congress; Loretta and Linda serve simultaneously in Congress representing California's 47th and 39th districts respectively.

15. Herman Gallegos, Dr. Ernesto Galarza, Dr. Julian Samora (US/Mexico) - Founders of the Southwest Council of La Raza in 1968; led to the National Council of La Raza, the largest civil rights Latino advocacy organization in the nation

16. Rosario Marin (Mexico) - 41st Treasurer of the US; highest ranking Latina in Bush administration (2001)

17. Henry B. Gonzalez (US/Mexico) - First Latino Representative from Texas to Congress from 1961-1998, known for his actions to end segregation, impeach Reagan and Bush Sr.

Latina/o Fashion Icons

Here's just a short list of what I think make up Latina/os Greatest Fashion Icons! Many others can be included, and will be in other lists, but these individuals have contributed to the world of fashion design and trendsetting!

1. Carolina Herrera (Venenzuela) - Designer women's clothing - Carolina embodies the sophisticated Latina, put together and elegant, ready for anything!

2. Oscar De La Renta (Domincan Republic) - Designer women's clothing - For decades Oscar has dressed A-List celebrities with elegance and class.

3. Jennifer Lopez (US/Puerto Rico) - Designer, Singer, Actress - Jennifer can move between high fashioned elegance and hip-hop flare, her designs are for teens and young women, eclectic and vibrant.

4. Narciso Rodriguez (US/Cuba) - Designer women's clothing - Classic designs, celebrity favorite, first American to win the Council of Fashion Designers of America Womenswear Designer of the Year Award two years in a row.

5. Lazaro Hernandez (US/Cuba) - Co-designer/founder for Proenza Schouler, women's clothing - young, eclectic, hip, and fresh and a newer label that has already made a name for itself across the world.

6. Frida Kahlo (Mexico) - Artist, feminist, and truly a unique icon in Mexican and Chican@ culture. Her style was considered 'ethnic' and 'traditional' but has inspired many to stay true to their culture, roots, and heritage.

7. Iris Chacon (Puerto Rico) - Entertainer, lavish, and comfortable with herself - This television star became one of the most popular pop stars in Latin America.

8. Kat Von D (US) - While Kat was not born to Latin American parents, she grew up in Mexico, speaks Spanish, and considers herself a Latina; and that's just fine, because her style speaks for itself: Rebellious, sexy, and demure.

9. Dolores Del Rio (Mexico) - Hollywood starlet of the 1930-40s and the first woman to wear a two-piece bathing suit in a major motion picture.

10. Cesar Romero (Mexico) - The original Latin Lover, major motion picture star of the 1930-40s.

11. Rita Hayworth (Spain/Ireland/England) - The quintessential glamor queen of the 1940s, the poster girl for soldiers and young boys at the time.

12. Gisele Bundchen (Brazil) - Forbes' highest paid model in the world in 2008, and the sixteenth highest paid woman in the entertainment field, everything from perfume, bags, lingerie, Gisele is a major fashion icon.