A REFLECTION OF STRENGTH, PERSEVERANCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15th - October 15th, began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was later expanded to a month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. This month pays tribute to the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, whose roots stem from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America. It begins in mid-September to coincide with the Independence Day anniversaries of several Latin American countries.
My father’s story mirrors the spirit of this celebration. In 1984, at 24 years old, Guillermo Ruben left Argentina, a country shaped by his heritage and embarked on a journey to the United States with memories and a backpack. With a dream in his heart and the weight of his family’s sacrifices, he sought a better life, equipped only with his skills as a hairstylist and a fierce determination.
His journey wasn’t easy. He arrived in the United States barely speaking English, but his resilience and dedication built a foundation for a life that flourished against the odds. In a foreign land, he met my mother, Yousi, a woman of Cuban and Lebanese descent. Together, they combined their rich cultural legacies to build a family, a small business, and a future serving as an example for generations to come.
For 30 years, my father nurtured a hair salon he had built from a dream into a symbol of perseverance and success. His clients received more than haircuts; they became part of a narrative that embodies the American Dream with his Hispanic roots embedded deep. Every snip of the scissors told a story of hope, of a dream fulfilled, and of a life transformed. I am immensely proud to be my father's daughter and to carry forward the same determination, resilience, and passion for life that define our family’s story. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the strength, perseverance, and contributions of our community.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to take some time to learn about all the different aspects of our culture. I invite you to try something new this month, whether that be a new recipe, drink, or connecting with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and supporting small business to have a deeper dive into our culture.
As we honor our heritage this month, we celebrate the past, present, and future of a vibrant community that continues to shape the American story with its values of faith, family, and the unrelenting pursuit of dreams. My father’s journey is not just his; it’s a testament to the strength, resilience, and contributions of the Hispanic community to this nation's dream, one story, one life at a time. This is my story, what is yours?
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