Latinas have a fire within their soul that is unique and unquenchable. They have often fought to better the lives of their fellow hermanas y hermanos, as well as that of their own. Whether they knew it or not, their legacy would surpass them and they would become a shining exemplary beacon for all those who would come after them. Frida Khalo revolutionized the way that women think; Rita Moreno serves as a pioneer of hard work within an industry that sorely under-represents the Latinx cultura; and The Mirabal sisters showed us that there is strength in unity — all things that Time Magazine has chosen to honor in their 100 Women of the Year edition.
In their 100 Women of the Year edition, out to celebrate Women’s History Month, Time names ten women from every decade (from 1920 to 2010) who helped change the world through their actions and words. Below are the seven inspirational and trailblazing Latinas that made the world a better place despite all of the insurmountable odds the faced.
© GettyImages1930: Frida Khalo
Frida was a woman who was well ahead of her time. Through her work and actions, she went on to defy anyone who stood in the way of her true happiness.
© GettyImages1940s: Eva Perón
Eva helped usher in the women’s sufferage movement in her native country of Argentina.
As First Lady and wife of the then-President General Juan Domingo Perón, she went on to use her influence to positively impact many programs, schools, hospitals and orphanages. Her people were always her first priority.
© @newyorklatinculture1960s: The Mirabal sisters (Miverva, Patria and Maria Teresa)
These Dominican sisters, also known as Las Mariposas, helped bring down dictator Rafael Trujillo.
Throughtout their lives they fought for the freedoms of their fellow Dominican hermanos y hermanas and helped organize an underground movement that would challenge the regime.
Their untimely deaths (at the ages of 36, 34 and 25) would serve as the catalyst for the assasination of Rafael Trujillo.
© GettyImages1960s: Rita Moreno
This fiery and tenacious Latina paved the way for many of today’s Latina actresses.
Her determination serves as an inspiration to many that through hard work you can achieve it all.
© GettyImages1960s: Dolores Huerta
Dolores, along with Cesar Chavez, saw an explicit need for the fundamental human rights of Latino labor workers to be addressed — and she went for it.
Years after she founded the United Farm Workers organization, Dolores still fights for the causes she believes in.
