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It’s National Superhero Day. Whether you’re a fan of superhero comics, movies, or TV shows, you’ve probably noticed there isn’t much Latino flavor to speak of. That’s not because Latino and Latina superheroes don’t exist, it’s simply because their stories don’t get much of the spotlight. Things are changing on that front as audiences seek more diversity in their media. To highlight that, here are 15 Latina superheroes you should know about:
Elena Rodríguez aka Yo-Yo or Slingshot
Character of Marvel
Elena Rodríguez, also known as Yo-Yo or Slingshot, is one of Marvel’s superheroes. She appeared for the first time in 2008 in the comic “The Mighty Avengers” and then she was interpreted by Natalia Cordova-Buckley in the show “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” This character is of Colombian descent and she’s kind of a reluctant hero because she’s much more interested in helping her community than the world at large. However, she has a compelling journey where she becomes one of the best S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Inspiring, especially for Latina girls!
Yolanda Montez aka Wildcat
Character of DC Comics
Yolanda Montez, also known as Wildcat, was part of DC’s attempt to diversify its lineup of superheroes in the 80s. In the comics, she’s a legacy superhero and took up the mantle of Wildcat after the death of Ted Grant. However, there was no consistent place for the character in the comics, and she was eventually killed off. Wildcat was brought back for DC’s “Stargirl,” a 2022 show where an unlikely group of young superheroes come together to defeat a villain. Montez’s character battles with Catholic guilt and gets caught between her Mexican culture and her friends’ culture; a struggle that many young Latinas in the U.S. can relate to.
Anya Sofía Corazón aka Spider-Girl
Character of Marvel
We know that with great power comes great responsibility. Of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, Anya Sofía Corazón was the first Araña and the third Spider-Girl in the Marvel comics. As Spider-Girl, she got her powers after being caught in a fight between two mystical clans called The Spider Society and the Sisterhood of the Wasp. She was fatally wounded, but a sorcerer from The Spider Society transferred some of his powers to her, which included enhanced strength, agility, and the ability to grow a blue exoskeleton to protect herself. Anya briefly appeared as Spider-Girl in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and most recently, she had her first live-action appearance in the film “Madame Web,” played by Peruvian-American actress Isabela Merced. We hope to see more of her in future films.
Kendra Saunders aka Hawkgirl
Character of DC Comics
Kendra Saunders, also known as Hawkgirl, is another DC superhero and she comes from a line of reincarnations from the angel Shrra. Kendra is a Latina (rebooted as Afro-Latina in 2011) who gets her powers after she dies by suicide and becomes a vessel for the soul of Shiera Sanders Hall, the Golden Age Hawkgirl. When Kendra comes to, she has all of her memories but none of Sheira’s memories, only her powers. She was brought to life by Ciara Renée in “DC's Legends of Tomorrow,” and Isabela Merced will play her in James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy.” It will be fun to see another Latina superhero on screen!
Molly Hernandez
Promotional image of Runaways (TV series)/Season Three
Molly Hernandez is a character in “Marvel’s Runaways,” and she’s a reimagined version of the comic book character Molly Hayes. This new version of the character makes Molly Latina, but her exact ethnicity is unknown because her parents died when she was young and then she was adopted. It’s important to acknowledge the lack of effort put into her Latinidad for “Marvels’ Runaways,” but there’s potential for development in future projects. Molly is played by Allegra Acosta and she has superhuman strength and durability. She’s as strong as the Hulk or Thor, and her story is very compelling because she joins the Runaways, a team of fugitive superheroes, after discovering her adoptive parents are villains. Because she doesn’t know anything about her origins, the theme of connecting with her Latina culture and navigating her duality is a big part of her character arc.
Marisol Ríos De La Cruz aka La Borinqueña
Character created by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez
Marisol Rios De La Luz is a Latina superhero created by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez. Marisol is a Columbia University undergrad student majoring in Earth and Environmental Sciences. While she takes a semester abroad at the University of Puerto Rico, she explores the caves of Puerto Rico and finds five crystals that untimely give Marisol her powers — strength, the power of flying, and control of storms. Her story is one of self-discovery as she connects with and embraces her Afro-Puerto Rican identity. As a superhero, she focuses on solving environmental issues in Puerto Rico and the people embrace her as their vigilante.
Claire Temple
Character of Marvel
Claire Temple is a character from the show “Marvel’s Daredevil” and she’s played by Rosario Dawson. She’s loosely based on Night Nurse, a character from the Marvel Comics. In the show, Claire Temple is a former night shift nurse of Cuban descent. She provides medical assistance not only to Daredevil but also to Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, other characters who also defend and protect the city. She doesn’t only provide medical attention, she’s also the moral backbone of the group, helping characters be better. She’s a kind of quiet hero and she represents all those people who work late hours to make sure we get help when we need it most.
Renee Montoya aka The Question
Character of DC Comics
Back to the DC Universe, we have Renee Montoya, one of the most interesting Latin superheroes in recent years. Her journey began on “Batman: The Animated Series” and she became so popular that she was introduced to the Batman comics as well. She’s a great detective, but there’s a dark side to her due to her destructive behavior. Following the death of a work partner, she seeks spirituality with The Question, a mystical entity. When The Question dies, he leaves the costume and name to Montoya. She provides representation for queer Latinas and is quite a complicated character in her ambiguity.
Jalisco
Character of Latinasuperheroes
Jalisco is one of the more creative Latina superheroes on the list because she’s a crime-fighting folklorico dancer on a mission to save her mom from the violent femicide happening in Mexico. Created by Chicana writer and Director Kayden Phoenix, Jalisco is a graphic novel that follows a young girl as she’s taken under the wings of a band of Adelitas, who prepare her to fight against Malinche, the fictional character behind the femicide. Phoenix has created an entire universe of Latina superheroes, the first of its kind, where each Latina superhero fights for a specific social justice cause. They also band together and create the “A La Brava” team. Kudos to Phoenix for bringing much-needed diversity to the space of graphic novel superheroes!
Jessica Cruz aka Green Lantern
Character of DC Comics
Jessica Cruz is half Mexican-American and half Honduran-American, and she’s one of the sworn protectors of the Earth. She's the first female representative of the Green Lantern Corps on Earth, which is pretty cool. Jessica’s story is quite compelling because she deals with intense PTSD due to a traumatic incident in her past and her character arc is all about overcoming that fear so she can do good for other people. It’s a very inspiring story in DC comics, and we hope it gets an adaptation someday.
Maya Lopez aka Echo
Character of Marvel
Maya Lopez, also known as Echo, from the Marvel Universe. She’s one of the few deaf characters and her powers are pretty cool because she can mimic any physical action, hence her name. She’s a highly adaptable character, so she can take on powerful enemies by adopting their fighting style. Her mother is Latina while her father is Cheyenne, representing Latino and Indigenous communities, as well as the deaf community. Echo will have her own series on Disney+ later this year, so keep an eye out for that.
Supergirl
Character of DC Comics
Supergirl is a DC superhero and she was introduced to the universe in 1959. Supergirl is not Latina, but one of her precursors was. In the comic Superboy #5, Superboy meets Queen Lucy, a monarch from Borgonia, a fictional South American country. She flees to Smallville to escape the control of Count Norvello. There, Superboy befriends her and one day she helps him handle some crooks, prompting people to believe there’s a Supergirl. The story takes off in the newspapers, so Superboy uses his powers to make her seem superhuman. Eventually, she goes back to Borgonia to reclaim her throne. Most recently, Supergirl was portrayed by Colombian-American actress Sasha Calle in the film “The Flash,” a refreshing break from the white blonde women who usually bring the character to life in adaptations.
America Chavez aka Miss America
Character of Marvel
Miss America, Marvel’s lesbian Latina superhero, first appeared in 2011 in a limited series titled "Vengeance." Born in a Utopian Parallel outside of time and reality, Chavez was raised by two superpowered mothers. By absorbing the energy of a being called the Demiurge, Chavez can travel in time and to different dimensions, fly, and enjoy super speed and strength. After her mothers were killed protecting Utopia from destruction, America ran away to Earth, where she was adopted by a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx. Miss America is one of the most powerful female superheroes in the Marvel Universe and she provides representation for queer Latin Americans. She was brought to life for the first time by Mexican-American actress Xochitl Gomez in the film “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” and we can’t wait to see more of her.
Lúz La Luminosa
Character created by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez
Lúz La Luminosa is a Chinese-Dominican superhero, and she’s La Borinqueña’s best friend. Also created by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, this character goes on solo adventures and has the power of bioluminescent energy, which allows her to create force fields. Lúz also has endometriosis, a condition that affects 1 in 10 women and is characterized by symptoms like pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during sex, and even infertility. We see Lúz managing her condition as she goes about her life and patrols the streets to protect people, making her a symbol of resilience and female empowerment. Her endometriosis is a big part of her identity, providing much-needed representation and visibility for a condition that’s often misunderstood and overlooked.
Bonita Juarez aka Firebird
Character of Marvel
Last but not least, we have Bonita Juarez, also known as Firebird. She’s one of the most notable Latina superheroes in the Marvel Universe and one of the most prominent Latina characters in the comics. Bonita is a social worker and a devoted Catholic who comes into contact with a radioactive meteorite while walking the deserts of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She survived the encounter, but the radiation altered her DNA, giving her the ability to fly and the power to generate heat and flames. Believing her powers were a gift from God, she named herself Firebird and dedicated her life to protecting people in the Southwest.
You know how they say laughter is the best medicine? Well, if you need a good dose, you can trust a Latina to deliver some top-notch sense of humor. Yes, it’s true that the comedy space is mostly dominated by white males. However, Latina comedians have carved a space for themselves, and they’re rising in popularity, breaking boundaries for others along the way. Here are 8 of the best Latina comedians who will turn your mood around with their quick-witted, hilarious jokes:
Danielle Perez
Danielle Perez, the self-described “fat b*tch in a wheelchair,” had a very interesting entry into the comedy world. It all started in 2015 when she went viral for winning a treadmill on the game show “The Price Is Right” and turning an awkward situation into a funny one. Her viral moment got her invited onto “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and she made the most out of the momentum. Today, she’s a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer and one of the few Afro-Latinas in the space.
Photo by Danielle Perez on Instagram
Marcella Arguello
Marcella Arguello is towering over the comedy world at 6’2” and she’s made a name for herself as the self-described “humorous Amazon.” Her comedy shines a light on themes like Latino identity, gender, and race, and she’s known for being witty on the spot - don’t think you can heckle Arguello - her roasts are legendary. Marcella’s comedic timing and punchlines will always get you, you can count on that. As a Latina stand-up comedian, actress, and writer, she’s one of the few Latinas leading the charge in the scene.
Photo by Marcella Arguello on Instagram
Joanna Hausmann
Known for her ranty approach to comedy, Venezuelan-American comedian Joanna Hausmann rose to fame due to her viral sketch comedy videos on YouTube and her time on the Univision show “Flama.” She’s also a talented TV writer who has worked with HBO Max and Disney, an actress and accredited voice actress. Joanna is mostly known for her sketch comedy and for exploring themes like culture, language, politics, and dual identity. Currently, she has a podcast called “Hyphenated” with co-host Jenny Lorenzo, another well-known Latina comedian.
Photo by Osvaldo Ponton on Instagram
Cristela Alonzo
There’s making a mark, and then there's Cristela Alonzo, a Mexican-American trailblazer. She made history as the first Latina woman to create, produce, write, and star in her own sitcom, “Cristela,” on ABC. She also has a Netflix special, “Lower Classy,” where she hilariously explores themes like Latino stereotypes and her mother’s tough-love approach to parenting, among other things. Crisela is multi-faceted as a stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer, so it’s exciting to see what she will do next.
Photo by Christopher M. Morales on Instagram
Melissa Villaseñor
Melissa Villaseñor might look familiar to you because she worked on “Saturday Night Live” from 2016 to 2022, where she delivered hilarious impressions. Melissa is another Mexican-American making waves in the comedy scene not only with her wide range of impressions but also with her stand-up comedy, acting skills, and singing. She’s also a talented illustrator, so Melissa is quite a well-rounded artist with a lot of creativity beyond comedy.
Photo by Robyn Von Swank on Instagram
Sasha Merci
Hailing from the Bronx and based in Los Angeles, this second-generation Dominican-American has grown in popularity due to her sketches. She posts mostly on Instagram, and her funny takes and jokes have gone viral several times. Sasha is also a stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and digital creator. She’s a great example of what can happen when you follow your dreams, a message she’s passionate about sharing with her audience.
Photo by Sasha Merci on Instagram
Aida Rodriguez
Aida Rodriguez is a survivor with a sense of humor. She’s known for her poignant comedy and she came into the spotlight in 2014 as a top ten finalist in the NBC show “Last Comic Standing.” Of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, Aida has made a name for herself in the comedy scene through her stand-up comedy. With her debut comedy special “Fighting Words,” she made history as the first Latina to appear in two specials airing in one month on both HBO Max and Showtime. She’s also an actress, writer, producer, podcaster, and now author, with her book “Legitimate Kid,” a collection of essays exploring how to turn pain and difficulty into laughter.
Photo by Aida Rodriguez on Instagram
Jenny Lorenzo
Jenny Lorenzo is part actress, part comedian, and total Cubana. She rose to popularity due to her “Abuela” character on YouTube and hilarious sketches, which she continues making to this day. This character is inspired by her Cuban heritage, and Lorenzo delivers the character with total relatability, which is why it resonates so much with Latino audiences of all nationalities, not just Cuban. Jenny is also an actress, voice actress, writer, and producer. As mentioned earlier, she’s also the co-host of the “Hyphenated” podcast with Joanna Hausmann.
The next time you need a good laugh, be sure to check out the content these talented Latina comedians share with the world. The laughter is guaranteed!
Photo by Nick Rasmussen on Instagram
Bolivia’s western Andes is known for its deep valleys, towering mountains, and breathtaking landscapes. However, the most interesting thing about it is that it’s home to a remarkable group of women challenging long-standing gender norms.
Bolivian “Cholitas,” known for their iconic pollera skirts, aguayo embroidered cloth, and high bowler hats, are empowered Indigenous women carving out spaces for themselves that were once inaccessible. Through mountain climbing, skateboarding, and martial arts, they’re defying patriarchal structures and reclaiming their identities.
Mountain climbing: Cholitas conquering heights
Photo by cholitasescaladoras on Instagram
Cecilia Llusco, an Aymara woman, is one of many Cholitas leading the charge against societal conventions. Raised in Bolivia’s mountains, Llusco’s connection with them runs deep. From her early years assisting her father, a high mountain guide, to going on her own climbing journeys, she’s known for her resilience and determination. She has become a high mountain guide, following in her father’s footsteps while still making the road her own.
The Cholita Climbers
Photo by cholitasescaladoras on Instagram
“The Cholita Climbers,” as they're known, refuse to be bound by traditional gender roles. Scaling Huayna Potosí and setting their sights on Everest, they're not just climbing mountains; they're shattering stereotypes. Lidia Huayllas, the group's elder stateswoman and deputy mayor, is leading by example, inspiring generations of women to pursue their dreams despite the odds. The journey of The Cholita Climbers is not just defined by an impressive list of physical feats, but also by a deep sense of cultural pride.
Skateboarding: Cholitas redefining spaces
Photo by imillaskate on Instagram
In the streets of Cochabamba, the Imilla Skate collective stands out for all the right reasons. Led by Dani Santiváñez, this group of bold young women is rewriting the script of skateboarding. With their vibrant, traditional clothes, they challenge conventional ideas of femininity and athleticism, presenting a much more interesting and empowering alternative.
The Imilla Skate collective
Photo by imillaskate on Instagram
The Imilla Skate collective has transformed neglected spaces, making them vibrant and exciting again. They’re not just skaters, they’ve reclaimed their right to public spaces and fostered strong community bonds. Their influence even goes beyond the streets of Cochabamba, rippling across the nation. Their message is clear: women belong in skate parks, and their presence is non-negotiable. By taking this stance, they're helping amplify indigenous voices and reshape perceptions of what it means to be a skateboarder.
Self-defense: Cholitas against gender-based violence
Photo by warmipowerbo on Instagram
Faced with the issue of gender-based violence, Bolivian Cholitas are refusing to stay silent any longer. Lidia Mayta, a woman who was violently attacked by would-be robbers at her front door, has turned to martial arts as a tool for empowerment. Not only of herself but of other women in the community who are tired of being victimized and afraid.
In Bolivia, over 53% of women experience physical or sexual violence. Despite the high prevalence of gender-based violence, prevention services often lack knowledge about disabilities, limiting access to information and care, and leaving women to fend for themselves. Shockingly, only 1% of gender-based violence cases are prosecuted and convicted.
Warmi Power taekwondo studio
Photo by warmipowerbo on Instagram
In this context, taekwondo studios like Warmi Power offer a sanctuary for women to learn self-defense techniques and reclaim their sense of agency. Beyond physical training, these spaces serve as platforms for solidarity and collective action against gender-based violence. Mayta found this space to learn taekwondo and she’s now one of their main facilitators, dedicated to introducing women to the transformative power of martial arts.
Self-defense techniques
Photo by warmipowerbo on Instagram
By teaching women with the skills to defend themselves, organizations like Warmi Power are challenging the culture of impunity and fostering a culture of accountability. Their message is clear: violence against women will not be tolerated, and every woman has the right to feel safe in her community.
Bolivian Cholitas are leading a new chapter in their history
Photo by cholitasescaladoras on Instagram
The stories of Bolivian Cholitas scaling mountains, mastering skateboards, and learning self-defense are not just individual victories; they’re part of a larger change that will ripple for generations to come. Through their actions, these women are rewriting the script of gender norms and reclaiming their rightful place in society. As they continue to challenge stereotypes, they inspire communities in Bolivia and around the world to rise and take up space. Bolivian Cholitas are shaping history, one challenge at a time.
- Las Patronas de La Bestia: A Brief History ›
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- Cholita Mountain Climbers Defy What Climbing Looks Like ›