MMC Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

L-R: Vice President for Student Affairs Carol Jackson, Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, Jennifer Acevedo ’19

Councilwoman Rivera represents the 2^nd Council District, which includes the diverse neighborhoods of the East Village, Flatiron, Gramercy Park, Rose Hill, Kips Bay, Murray Hill, and the Lower East Side. Rivera was born and raised in the Lower Manhattan district she now represents by a single mother who emigrated from Puerto Rico. She has worked for decades as a civil servant and has established herself as a leader on issues including housing affordability, education equality, and small business survival, among many others.

Introducing Councilwoman Rivera and serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the event was Jennifer Acevedo ’19, a campus leader who serves as a member of the Student Activities Advisory Board, a HEOP Peer Mentor, Vice President of Social Steppers, and the Treasurer of Marymount Muscle. In her address to the campus community, Rivera spoke passionately about the lack of representation of people of Latinx heritage within city government, and she urged students to use their voices and get involved in their communities through civil service, outreach, and leadership. The program concluded with a powerful spoken word performance by Musical Theatre major Jaqueline Leon ’22, who poignantly captured the richness and complexity of her experience within the Latinx community. 

The College proudly recognizes the contributions of Latinx Americans to the United States during Latinx Heritage Month, celebrated each year from September 15 – October 15. The month coincides with the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The ‘x’ at the end of the word is used in lieu of the ‘o’ to offer a gender-inclusive option of Latina or Latino.

Published: September 27, 2018