National Hispanic Heritage Month Message from WIN

By Julie Campos, Washington Immigtant Network (WIN) Secretary

Every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by acknowledging the community’s history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America.

The day of September 15 is significant for many Latin American countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua because it is the anniversary of independence. Other countries like Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18.

Accordingly,  the Washington Immigrant Network, WIN, would like to recognize Washington’s Hispanic Workforce. According to Washington State’s Office of Financial Management (OFM), in 2020, 13.5% of Washington State’s population was Hispanic. Although, only about 5% of state employees identify as Hispanic per OFM.

The lack of representation of Hispanics in State Workforce impacts all of us. As a result, we would like to celebrate and recognize our fellow BRG, the Latino Leadership Network (LLN) because they have done tremendous work to build, connect, and inspire our state’s Hispanic/Latinx workforce.

For more information on LLN visit their website and if you would like to learn more about LLN’s recommendation’s to better understand the experiences of Latino state employees, you can view their Professional Development and Inclusion Survey 2020 Report here.

Additionally, if you would like to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and view online performances, lectures, and family activities to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic Community, visit the Smithsonian Institution website.

You may also visit the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute website as they are hosting numerous events to celebrate this month.