September 18, 2024

We invite you to read the following Community Perspective message from Ellen Segarra, Director of Financial Aid. Community Perspectives is a series of written messages that amplify the voices of the MSM community to cultural celebrations.

We hope you enjoy learning more about members of our community and these important celebrations.

Dear MSM Community,

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from Sunday, September 15 through Tuesday, October 15, 2024, began in 1968 for a week under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the week to a 30-day celebration, which is significant because many Central American countries celebrate their independence days during this period. In the most recent U.S. Census (2020), one in every four children in the United States is Hispanic/Latine, with an overall population of 60 million people, which is 18.9% of the national population.

Although “Hispanic” and “Latino” are often used interchangeably, each holds meaning for different individuals. “Latino” emphasizes cultural ties to Latin America and the Caribbean, creating inclusivity by “acknowledging Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other heritages on equal terms with European ancestry” (Smithsonian). The meaning of “Hispanic” relates explicitly to connections with Spain or the Spanish language. Personally, I embrace both meanings in honor of celebrating diversity, resilience, and contributions during this period.

2024 National Hispanic Heritage Month Theme and Poster by Mariana I. Purcell Rivera

Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month has a theme to celebrate the heritage, history, tradition, and cultural diversity of our community. The 2024 theme is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together. I was so moved by this theme that I immediately thought of Celia Cruz and mi abuela (my grandmother) as two influential examples that resonate with this theme.

Afro-Cuban singer Celia Cruz is a pioneer of change that I hold as close to my heart. Born in 1925, the “Queen of Salsa” was born in Havana and was the second eldest of four children. Celia was known to bring Salsa music to New York and the world over her six-decade career.

When you listen to a Celia Cruz song, the power of her voice flows into your ears, moves your bones to dance, and eventually lingers in your soul. Beyond music, she was known for her iconic fashion tastes, elaborate headpiece adornments, and colorful, saturated sequins. Her song “La vida es un carnaval” (Life is a Carnival) speaks vibrantly to me.

It sends such an uplifting message about the celebration of life despite hardship. One of her lyrics speaks to how life is more beautiful when we live to sing, which she lived by each day, and why her legacy continues to shine.

Drawing of Celia Cruz by Ellen Segarra

As a child, listening to Celia Cruz’s songs on the radio would sweeten my day with the way she gleefully shouted “azucar” (sugar). I grew up in a barrio of Spanish Harlem, which shaped my connection to my Puerto Rican and Cuba heritage. My paternal grandmother shared many stories about growing up in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and living in New York City. Through her stories, I observed the similarities between Manhattan, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, which are all islands.

My grandmother was “orgullosa” (proud) of her heritage and passed that on to me through dancing, music and food (you might recall the Puerto Rican sofrito recipe from the MSM recipe book last year). She also valued and celebrated my accolades. Mi abuela would place each certificate in the center of our south-facing windows in her apartment like a shrine. She emphasized that I would be the first person in my family to pursue college. Attending college and graduate school to pursue Psychology and English Literature was my way of continuing her legacy.

These paths eventually led me to work in financial aid. Offering empathy, being equitable, and providing accessibility for students from all paths and heritages who dream of being pioneers of change allows the legacy of my heritage to flourish.

Here at MSM, this role allows me to pioneer change with the MSM community, champion students navigating through financial aid, and share my voice in an opportunity like this reflection.

It brings me great joy to see the students champion themselves, like the leaders of the Latine Student Alliance (LSA). On September 15, Resident Assistant Morena La Vecchia Galan, Graduate Assistant for Resident Life Brian Linares, LSA President Samantha Sosa, and Members of the LSA shared their culture through traditional foods, including arepas, maduros, empanadas, and arroz con pollo.

They also featured a display honoring influential figures from the Hispanic diaspora, ranging from artists, Supreme Court judges, activists, surgeons, composers, innovators and many others who have had a global impact.

In reflection, Hispanic Heritage Month means embracing change and that progress is possible. When cultures fuse, embrace differences, and expand inclusivity, we can all make a lasting impact as Pioneers of Change. I invite you to join in honoring the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and contributions that shape our community.

Take this opportunity to learn about and uplift the stories of Hispanic pioneers, both past and present, who have paved the way for progress and change. Let’s engage in meaningful conversations, support Hispanic voices in all fields, and continue the work of building a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Together, we can ensure that our community’s legacy of resilience and innovation continues to thrive.

With Pride,
Ellen Segarra
Director of Financial Aid