Eight Latin American Indigenous Women Activists You Should Know About
To celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re highlighting eight women whose activism has made an impact in their communities and far beyond them.
Raina Vale's Latest Articles
The Polarizing Legacy of Carmen Miranda: Hollywood’s “Brazilian Bombshell”
Carmen Miranda was more than the “Brazilian Bombshell” Hollywood packaged her as. Loved in the U.S. but criticized at home, she carried the weight of embodying Latin identity in an industry that often preferred stereotypes over authenticity.
September’s Latino Independence Days: A Month of Freedom
Across Latin America, September is a time of freedom, pride, and remembrance. This month marks the independence of many nations, each with its own powerful story of struggle, resilience, and celebration.
National Latina Day: From One Woman’s Vision to a Nationwide Movement
In 2015, Dolores “Loli” Alvarez Castilla launched a Facebook page with a simple mission: celebrate Latinas, their contributions, and each other. What began as a spark became a movement that has shifted culture and inspired millions.
La Lupe: The Forgotten Afro-Latina Powerhouse of Latin Music
Before Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan, there was La Lupe, an Afro-Latina powerhouse who lit up stages from Havana to New York.
Cracking Open Tradition: The Origin of Cascaron Confetti Eggs
Easter is here and if you grew up Latino, cascaron confetti eggs are a part of the celebration. But where did they come from?
Sylvia Mendez: The Latina Girl Who Led the Battle for School Desegregation
Before Brown v. Board of Education, there was Mexican-Puerto Rican Sylvia Mendez, an 8-year-old who took on school segregation in California—and won.
Imposter Syndrome or Systemic Bias? The Truth Behind Self-Doubt
Imposter syndrome is that nagging voice telling you you got lucky. For Latinas in the workplace, that voice is shaped by systemic barriers, bias, and the reality of often being the only one in the room.
Afro and Black Latino Identity Is Complex, But Media Keeps Getting It Wrong
The African diaspora has shaped every corner of the world, including Latin America. Despite attempts to deny it, Black history is deeply woven into the fabric of our culture and identity.
A Shared Dream: MLK and the Latino Civil Rights Movement
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight for justice resonated across racial lines and deeply influenced the Latino civil rights movements of that era.