The American Music Award honored Colombian born musician and singer Shakira as America’s favorite Latina artist on November 22, 2005. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll’s father was a Lebanese immigrant to Colombia, and her dual Latino and Middle Eastern heritage has greatly influenced her work. “Shakira” translates as “woman full of grace” in Arabic, and her… Continue reading Shakira honored 2005 American Music Awards
Year: 2005
“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” 2005
June 1, 2005 is the release date of the popular film, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”, starring Latina actor America Ferrera. Ferrera plays Carmen Lowell, who spends her summer coming to terms with the new, very norteamericano family into which her father is marrying. Carmen struggles with finding her place with her new family… Continue reading “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” 2005
Antonio Villaraigosa, first Latino Mayor of Los Angeles
On May 17, 2005, Antonio Villaraigosa was elected as the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles, California, in over 100 years. His Mexican immigrant father was an alcoholic who abandoned the family, and Villaraigosa had a troubled adolescence. He was expelled from high school for fighting, and later was charged with assault against a man… Continue reading Antonio Villaraigosa, first Latino Mayor of Los Angeles
“Selena Vive!” 2005
“Selena Vive!” aired live on April 7, 2005, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the death of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. Jennifer Lopez starred as Selena. According to Nielsen ratings, the show earned a 35.9 Hispanic Television index rating, which translates into 3.9 million viewing households. It was the highest rating ever for a Spanish-language TV special. “The… Continue reading “Selena Vive!” 2005
Hispanic Business Magazine 2005 Woman of the Year
Hispanic Business Magazine, a leading English language publication, announced on April 4, 2005, that attorney Brigida Benitez won their 2005 Woman of the Year (WOY) Award. Benitez was one of the principal attorneys for the University of Michigan in the affirmative action cases that were heard by the Supreme Court in 2003. These affirmative action… Continue reading Hispanic Business Magazine 2005 Woman of the Year
Apology Act for the 1930s Mexican Repatriation Program
On February 22, 2005, California State Senator Joe Dunn introduced the “Apology Act for the 1930s Mexican Repatriation Program” (SB 670) in the California State Legislature. The bill’s purpose was to “express the apology of the State of California to those individuals who were illegally deported and coerced into emigrating to Mexico and would require… Continue reading Apology Act for the 1930s Mexican Repatriation Program