The annual La Movida Hispanic Heritage Luncheon brought together Latinx leaders from Dane County and beyond to honor local leaders and organizations with awards for their contributions and achievements in the state of Wisconsin. La Movida Radio, Madison’s long-running Spanish-language radio station, and Mid-West Family Broadcasting hosted the event, now in its 14th year, on Oct. 14 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in downtown Madison.
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez gave opening remarks at the luncheon.
“I am committed to bringing the diverse perspectives of the Hispanic and Latino communities to policy discussions and governing. From housing to education and entrepreneurship, health care access, Latinos are a critical voice at the table and key in shaping policies that would benefit all Wisconsinites,” Rodriguez told the crowd. “At a time when some want to divide us, our individual commitment to acknowledge and honor each other, to build each other up, instead of tearing each other down, is more important than ever.
(Photo by David Dahmer)
“I am grateful for the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of all here today … you are a living representation of the American story and the kind of progress we need to celebrate more often,” she added. “Your sacrifices, hard work and advocacy built a more inclusive and equitable future for all of our children and for future generations. Your achievements and contributions continue to drive Wisconsin forward and drive our country forward. That’s what we celebrate today.”
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, City of Fitchburg Mayor Julia Arata Fratta, and City of Madison Common Council President Yannette Figueroa Cole gave the official proclamation for the event. Murphy Desmond attorney Mario Mendoza, as he does every year, served as the emcee of the event.
The keynote speaker was Ambassador Claudia Franco Hijuelos of the Mexico Consulate of Milwaukee.
“The consulate of Mexico has served the community since 2016 providing services to first-, second-, third-, and fourth-generation Mexicans and Mexican Americans who have growing economic strength and influence in Wisconsin,” Hijuelos said. “We provide essential documentation services and legal support to Mexican citizens. We contribute to educating the Mexican and Latino community about available health and education resources for the Latine community, or the Latinx community.
(Photo by David Dahmer)
“We promote trade between Wisconsin and Mexico, and we promote Mexican cultural traditions. We value our collaboration with community organizations, local and state government institutions because we share the objective to enhance the contribution by Mexicans and Hispanics to Wisconsin,” she added.
Hijuelos said that in the last quarter-century, the total population in Wisconsin would have probably diminished were it not for immigration and the growth of the Hispanic community. “Hispanics are younger as a group — 25 years is the median age compared to 40 years for the general population. So the growth and the relative youth of Hispanics constitute an advantage to Wisconsin’s sustained prosperity as long as Hispanics develop to their full potential. Indeed, the Hispanic community invigorates the economy through its work, its spending power, its fiscal contributions and entrepreneurship.”
After lunch, awards were presented to a variety of Madison-area community leaders by Lupita Montoto. The Making a Difference Award was presented to Nancy Saiz, a community development specialist for the City of Madison and the Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Nestor and Ashley Rodriguez Owners of Carbon World Health, LLC.
The Hispanic Achievement of the Year was awarded to Alder Yannette Figueroa, the current Madison Common Council president.
“I want to recognize the significance of Madison having the first Latina council president. It’s way overdue,” Figueroa said, accepting her award. “I hope moments like these are opportunities for Latinos to find inspiration and desire to run for office. It has been an honor to serve the city of Madison. It is a difficult job at times, but it’s also very rewarding.”
Figueroa added that she wanted to take this opportunity to stress the importance of the upcoming elections. “Our vote is not just a right, it’s a responsibility,” she said.
“Your voice matters, and every vote counts. Our collective responsibility is to engage in the democratic process and advocate for the issues that affect our Black and brown people,” she continued. “We must continue to uplift one another by embracing our diverse cultural backgrounds and ensuring our stories and voices are heard. Take the opportunity to make an impact, run for office, take space at the decision-making table and pave the way for future generations.”
(Photo by David Dahmer)
Nilson Alejandro Riano, an administrative planner for the Goodman South Campus, was honored with the Believe and Succeed Award and the Amigo Award was presented to John Patterson, assistant chief of police for the City of Madison Police Department. The Community Leader of the Year was awarded to Fernando Cano Ospina, the diversity, equity and inclusion director of RISE Wisconsin and the Community Institution of the Year was presented to Sharly Kato, the longtime executive director of The Rainbow Project.
To close out the event, Luis and Lupita Montoto paid tribute to a longtime Madison-area Latina leader, Lucia Nunez, who recently passed away. Luis Monoto told the crowd that they first met Nunez 25 years ago when she was executive director of Centro Hispano of Dane County, back when the non-profit was located on E. Mifflin St.
“Lucia was an amazing person. She was like our older sister, and one of the first things she said was, ‘Thank you for what you’re doing’ and ‘I’m here to help. What do you need? How can I assist you?’
“Lucia was one of our first supporters, big time, and that’s how important she was to us,” he added. “She was a champion of many of us, and I think we need to name a building or an organization or something after her because she was a very, very powerful woman. So Lucia, gracias por todo.”
