Cadena Collective — Living Latina

Marielle was a human rights activist who was dedicated to speaking up against police violence, an advocate for the marginalized, the poor, the LGBTQ community, and women.  Born Marielle Francisco da Silva on July 27, 1979, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she grew up in a favela called Maré. 

Before Rita Moreno came to be, she was born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Her childhood was spent on a farm, up until she was 5 years old when her mother had saved up enough money to move to New York. There, she took dance classes, and at the age of 11, she was hired to voice over for American children in film who’d appear in Spanish-speaking countries. Her first appearance on Broadway came at the age of 13 where she made her debut in Skydrift (1945). 

Perhaps one of Mexico’s most iconic figures is “La Doña”, otherwise known as María Félix. Octavio Paz wrote, "María was born twice: her parents begat her, and she later invented herself". María de los Ángeles Félix was born on April 8, 1914 in Álamos, Sonora to Bernardo Félix Flores, a military officer, and Josefina Güereña Rosa.

I shared on my Instagram post about being Black, Hispanic and a DACA Recipient; sometimes I feel like all the odds are against me. I've experienced racism, discrimination and hurtful comments simply because I am all of these things. I have at times been forced to choose a race/ethnicity and have been told that I am not welcomed in this country. Despite all of this, I will continue to walk with my head held high. My parents have sacrificed too much for me to be beaten down by the opinions and actions of others.