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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.
In a new summer series, “Latinas Who Lead,” we’re highlighting Latinas who are at the forefront of social justice movements in the United States, advocating for change and equality in many different ways. From civil rights to environmental justice to entrepreneurial equity, you can bet passionate Latinas are making a significant impact in their communities and beyond. To give them well-deserved recognition and offer sources of inspiration for your own advocacy and activism, here are the first 5 Latina leaders in our series:
Marisa Franco
Photography courtesy of Marisa Franco
Marisa Franco is a prominent Latino rights advocate and community organizer based in Phoenix, Arizona who fights for immigrant rights. She’s known for organizing campaigns and protests against deportations, detention centers, and discriminatory immigration policies, such as the #Not1MoreDeportation campaign back in 2014. She’s also the co-founder of Mijente, an online organization that serves Latino and Chicano activists, helping them organize their efforts to dismantle systems of injustice and inequity.
The organization has achieved some significant gains against the prison industrial complex, which makes billions of dollars a year through the mass incarceration of Americans and immigrants. Their #notechforice campaign addresses the predatory ways tech companies are making millions of dollars by violating civil rights and allows communities to support the efforts through petitions and other easy actions. They also have a petition tool where anyone can start their own petition for a cause they want to support.
Alejandra Gómez
Photography shared by ywcaaz.org
As a daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, Alejandra Gómez realized very early on how broken the U.S. immigration system is. This planted the seed of passionate activism that eventually led her to become one of a cadre of highly effective and dedicated Latina community organizers in the state of Arizona.
In the wake of the disastrous SB1070 law in 2010, known as the “show me your papers” law, that allowed Arizona law enforcement to stop and detain anyone at all just for “appearing” to be in the U.S. without proper documentation, Gómez joined thousands of activists who refused to allow her community to be terrorized by the state. The law was partially struck down just two years after then-Governor Jan Brewer signed the bill into law.
Gómez continued to focus her efforts on immigration rights and community justice and helped organize large-scale efforts to empower Latinos to vote and understand that when enough people come together, their collective actions are powerful and influential.
As the Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Empowerment and LUCHA, she’s been involved in many high-profile community wins, including the ousting of controversial Sherrif Joe Arpaio. More recently, through organizing efforts, she helped get abortion protections on the 2024 ballot and helped secure 150 million dollars for the Arizona Trust Fund to address the affordable housing crisis.
Ana María Archila
Photography courtesy of Ana María Archila
Ana María Archila, of Colombian descent, got a lot of national attention back in 2018 during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh when she confronted Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator about sexual assault. She’s a dedicated advocate for women’s rights, immigrant rights, worker justice, and LGBTQ rights. She leans heavily on political engagement and grassroots organizing to empower immigrant communities, low-income communities, and women of color.
She’s led several national organizations, including the Center for Popular Democracy and Make the Road New York, where she significantly increased the influence and presence of their members across the United States. As if that wasn’t enough, she ran for Lt. Governor of New York in 2022.
Archilla is now the Co-Director of the New York Working Families Party, where she’s focused on building a multiracial working people’s political party that can enact an agenda that creates real material change for working people in the U.S.
Carmen Perez
Photography shared by gatheringforjustice.org
Carmen Perez is a Chicana feminist and a devoted activist fighting for civil rights, women’s rights, gender equity, community policing, violence prevention, and more. She’s the CEO of The Gathering for Justice, a nonprofit focused on ending child incarceration and the racial disparities that plague the criminal justice system in the U.S. Perez was also one of the co-chairs of the 2017 Women’s March, the largest single-day protest in the history of the country for women’s rights. Women’s March continues to this day, organizing events around the country to create change.
Raised in Oxnard, California, she frequently returns to her roots to help lead or participate in community events that empower local youth and adults alike. She recently told the VC Star, “Good trouble is when you are out there with people that you love making sure that justice prevails.” She punctuated the words with a laugh. “I find myself getting into good trouble often.”
Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez
Photography courtesy of Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez
As the co-founder of the Workers Defense Project and founder of Jolt, Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez has been a tireless advocate for the rights of immigrant workers and Latino youth her entire adult career. Her activism is focused not only on immigrant rights but also on voting rights, universal healthcare, climate change, economic justice, fair wages, fair working conditions, and more.
She’s led successful campaigns for workers’ protection, immigrant rights, and voter mobilization, driving positive change at a local and national level. Many of these campaigns are notable for their creativity and focus on culture. While at Jolt, she helped lead the #PoderQuince campaign, which helped young quinceañeras use their 15th birthday parties as a platform to register and mobilize Latino voters. It’s well known that quinceañera parties are steeped in culture and community, and by leveraging these gatherings, they were able to register and activate tens of thousands of new Texas voters.
To expand her activism Tzintzún Ramirez co-authored a book, “Presente! Latino Immigrant Voices in the Struggle for Racial Justice” in 2014, and ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020 in her home state of Texas. She’s currently the Executive Director of NextGen America, the nation’s largest youth voting rights organization.
These five Latina activists are contemporary examples of resilience, passion, and dedication. Their efforts are a source of inspiration and empowerment in the Latino community, and they’re leading the next generation of Latinas fighting for justice and equality. Keep an eye out for the next installment in the series and join us in getting to know more of these impactful Latinas.
- Pride and Power: LGBTQ+ Latinas Leading Change ›
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With Latinos being the largest ethnic group in the country, it’s not surprising that the community in the United States is loudly alive, despite the growing hostility incited by extremist politicians and white supremacist groups. But not even that can put a damper on Latino spirits. If there’s one thing Latinos love is any reason to celebrate life, which means, lucky for everyone, there are plenty of festivals and cultural events to choose from. We’ve compiled a diverse list of Latine festivals and cultural events in the U.S. that showcase the array of cultures that exists within the Latino community.
Carnaval Miami
Photo by Kwan Wallace on Flickr
Taking place in Miami, Florida, Carnaval Miami is one of the largest Latino festivals celebrating Caribbean culture in the U.S.. It celebrates everything that’s great about the city and its community. This event exposes people to the best Caribbean Latino food, fashion, art, music, and sports, so there’s something for everyone. It’s no wonder people from all over the world go to Miami to attend the many different events. Every year, you’ll be able to enjoy a colorful parade, dance performances, live music, authentic Latino food, domino tournaments, and more.
Fiesta San Antonio
Photo by Tim Wilson on Flickr
Fiesta San Antonio takes San Antonio, Texas, by storm every year for 10 days. It always takes place towards the end of March or beginning to mid-April. The dates change every year, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for that. Fiesta San Antonio is an unforgettable experience because it’s a citywide celebration that honors not only Mexican Latino heritage but many of the other diverse cultures in the city. This festival has a bit of everything, including parades, concerts, and cultural exhibitions. Overall, Fiesta San Antonio is a beautiful moment of togetherness and community, and it’s a lot of fun to see what each day brings.
Calle Ocho Festival
Photo by photo-gator on Flickr
While Calle Ocho Festival is part of Carnaval Miami, it’s its own event and it’s one of the best parts of the carnival. Calle Ocho Festival is the largest Latin music festival in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world, so you know you’re in for an amazing time. The festival takes up 15 street blocks, which you can explore at your leisure, finding not only food, but also live performances, folkloric dances, and more. It’s quite a celebration of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Colombian, and other Latino cultures in the area!
Fiesta Broadway
Moving on to Los Angeles, California, we have the Fiesta Broadway event, which is one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S. Over half a million people flock to downtown L.A. to enjoy live entertainment, carnival rides, delicious Mexican food, and traditional music and dance performances. This event not only showcases Latino talent, it also allows local vendors to shine. It’s a great time, it’s family-friendly, and it provides a variety of experiences to connect with Latino culture and the community.
National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Photo by Boss Tweed on Flickr
New York is no stranger to events of all kinds, and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is one of the most iconic cultural experiences the city has to offer. This event celebrates Puerto Rican heritage and culture in New York City through colorful floats, traditional costumes, marching bands, and performances by Puerto Rican artists. This parade takes place on Fifth Avenue, and it attracts people from all over the country and the world. It happens on June 9, so it’s one of the most interesting events of the summer!
Latinafest
Photo by LATINAFest on Facebook
Back to Los Angeles, California! Latinafest is the ultimate celebration of all things Latina, and it highlights the achievements, talents, and contributions of Latina women. It’s a powerful event because it fosters unity, making attendees feel empowered and inspired by one another. Latinafest usually takes place in March, and it lasts a couple of days, so there are plenty of things to do. The schedule usually features panels with talented Latinas, a fashion show, salsa dancing, and more.
Cesar Chavez Day
Cesar Chavez Day is a commemorative holiday that celebrates the life and achievements of civil rights activist and labor leader Cesar Chavez. It happens on March 31 every year, and cities across the United States celebrate the holiday with events, marches, and even festivals to commemorate Chavez’s legacy. Cesar Chavez is an important civil rights Latino figure, especially for farmworkers and immigrant communities. Celebrating this day by joining local events is a great way to connect with the local Latino community!
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October 15 every year, is a time of celebration across the country. It highlights the contributions of Latin Americans in the United States, so Latino communities across the country organize events such as festivals, concerts, educational programs, and much more. Keep an eye out for local events during National Hispanic Heritage Month and join in to celebrate Latino heritage and appreciate Latino identity and a wide variety of culture.
Dia de los Muertos
Photo by Fili Santillán on UnsplashDia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday and one of the most popular in the United States. Mexicans all over the country get together to honor deceased loved ones with altars, parades, and a great variety of performances. Cities like Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, and San Francisco have some of the best events during Dia de los Muertos, but you’ll likely find something fun to do with the Latino community wherever you are in the U.S.
Sueños Music Festival
Photo by suenosfestival on Instagram
Last but not least, Chicago’s Sueños Music Festival is the go-to event for lovers of Latino urban talent. It takes place in May every year, but the dates vary, so you have to check and add it to your calendar. Sueños Music Festival offers one of the best Latino urban music experiences and top-notch opportunities for perreo. Over 25 reggaeton and Latin artists make up the lineup every year, so you’ll get to see some of your favorites live.
These 10 Latino festivals and cultural events in the U.S. offer authentic and fun immersive experiences. From exciting street festivals and parades to empowering events, they offer opportunities for people of all backgrounds to come together, celebrate, and embrace the richness of Latino heritage in America.
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