Spanish Heritage month is from September 15 to October 15. This month meant to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of the American Latino community throughout history. In this article, we will focus on some of the most well-known and influential Latina American actresses.

Sofía Vergara 

• Origin: Sofía was born and raised in Barranquilla, Columbia
• Famous Films: Modern Family, Hot Pursuit, Chef
• Contributions to society: Founder of Peace and Hope for the Children of Columbia and has contributed to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Foundation for Equal Rights, and CureDuchenne.

Photo by Dominick D:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/idominick/16859513228

Jennifer Lopez

• Origin: Jennifer was born in New York City but her parents were born in Puerto Rico 
• Famous Films: Out of Sight, Hustlers, Selena
• Contributions to society: National Ambassador for Grameen America to empower Latina entrepreneurs, Lopez Family Foundation, American Foundation for AIDS Research

Photo by MTV International:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jennifer_Lopez_performing_at_MTV_VMAs_2018_02.png

Eva Longoria

• Origin: Eva was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas but she is of Mexican descent
• Famous Films: Desperate Housewives, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Flamin’ Hot
• Contributions to society: Created the Eva Longoria Foundation and Eva’s Heroes, works with the United Farm Workers and Dolores Huerta Foundation, and #MeToo.

Photo by Georges Biard:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eva_Longoria_Cannes_2015.jpg

Penelope Cruz

• Origin: Madrid, Spain
• Famous Films: Volver, Parallel Mothers, Pain and Glory
• Contributions to society: Entertainment Industry Foundation Ambassador to the Cure Campaign, Starlight Children’s Foundation Charity Gala organizer, Artists for Peace and Justice

Photo by Adam Mark Barwick:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pen%C3%A9lope_Cruz_and_Katrina_Bayonas_%28cropped%29.jpg

Salma Hayek

• Origin: Salma was born and raised in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico
• Famous Films: Grown Ups, Like a Boss, Bliss
• Contributions to society: American Foundation for AIDS Research, CARE, CHIME FOR CHANGE, Children’s Defense Fund.

Photo by Gage Skidmore:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/14594516718

Selena Gomez

• Origin: Born in Texas and is of Mexican descent 
• Famous Films: Only Murderers in the Building, The Fundamentals of Caring, Wizards of Waverly Place
• Contributions to society: United Nations Children Fund ambassador, Global Poverty Project Festival, Make-A-Wish Foundation 

Photo by Gracie Otto:

https://openverse.org/image/34ccd176-acd8-4d37-9a6b-5104e735f4ce?q=selena%20gomez

Cameron Diaz

• Origin: Cameron was born in San Diego, California and is of Cuban descent.
• Famous Films: Annie, The Other Woman, My Sister’s Keeper
• Contributions to society: Make Poverty History, Oceana, Racing for Kids.

Photo by David Shankbone: https://openverse.org/image/35e1713c-2727-46c1-a4b6-a5b434f322d2?q=cameron%20diaz

Zoe Saldana

• Origin: Zoe was born in Passaic, New Jersey. Her dad was Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican. 
• Famous Films: Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek
• Contributions to society: Baby2Baby, Children’s Defense Fund, EB Medical Research Foundation

Photo by Gage Skidmore: https://openverse.org/image/a3c9949d-ffd7-4645-8c23-1a022ff0732a?q=zoe%20saldana

Jessica Alba

• Origin: born In California but has Mexican and Mayan ancestry 
• Famous Films: Into the Blue, Fantastic Four, Honey
• Contributions to society: Entertainment Industry Foundation Ambassador to the Cure Campaign, Starlight Children’s Foundation Charity Gala organizer, Artists for Peace and Justice

Photo by jdlasica:

https://openverse.org/image/c1921531-80a3-4cd9-9030-86579c6bd38f?q=jessica%20alba

Victoria Justice

• Origin: Victoria was born in Hollywood, Florida and her mother is Puerto Rican.
• Famous Films: Victorious, Zoey101, The Boy Who Cried Werewolf.
• Contributions to society: Aid Still Required, American Foundation for AIDS Research, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association.

Photo by Jake.auzzie: https://www.flickr.com/photos/48772730@N04/4465793043