Woven in Our Worth: Celebrating Latine Heritage Month at UW–Madison

September 15 marks the beginning of Latine Heritage Month, a time filled with pride, resilience, and reflection. It’s also the moment when thirty dedicated students of the Latine Heritage Month Planning Committee (LHMPC) finally see their hard work come to life. Each year, the committee creates, organizes, and hosts events that honor Latine culture and community across campus. Committee Member Esmeralda Garcia describes the team as, “Not only is it a community filled with excelling students, many figuring it out day by day, but we are all here with the same purpose, which is to succeed and help our community grow, expand, and share what makes us who we are”. This fall, the University of Wisconsin–Madison community will come together to celebrate Latine Heritage Month through a series of events centered on culture, community, tradition, and connection, a true celebration of identity, unity, and the voices that continue to shape UW–Madison’s campus.

The committee invites students, faculty, and staff to reflect on the histories and experiences that connect Latine communities through the theme Woven in Our Worth. This theme represents how the past continues to shape the present and future of Latine identity, a tapestry of stories, traditions, and strength interlaced through generations. For Kalani, the Latine Heritage Month chair intern, the symbolism of weaving provided a meaningful way to think about the connections that exist across different Latiné cultures. “We all resonated with special fabrics and how that is something that carries over into all of our cultures,” Kalani said. “It shows that no matter how different our cultures are, there is still a way for us to all be connected.” This goes on to recognize the role that previous generations and communities have played in creating opportunities for their descendants. Kalani described these communities and ancestors as threads in a larger tapestry that support and uplift Latine communities today. Beyond the theme, the committee has planned a month of events designed to bring the community together in events such as a keynote address by acclaimed author Xelena González and an evening of storytelling around the fire pits at Raíces y Fogata at Picnic Point.

Throughout the years, Latine Heritage Month has stitched together a sense of belonging and celebration on campus. This year, the committee aims to deepen that connection through education and empowerment, inviting students, staff, and faculty to share in warm conversation and cultural storytelling.“Being immersed in stories of success can empower and inspire new students by showing them that they can succeed at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI),” student lead Esmeralda Garcia stated. The Latine Heritage Month Planning Committee invites students, faculty, and staff to Raíces y Fogata on Friday, October 9, at Picnic Point at 4:30 p.m. to engage in dialogue and enjoy live music from local artists at 5:00 p.m.

This concept of cultural storytelling is also reflected in this year’s logo, which features a cookie tin filled with sewing supplies. Lizbeth Ramos, a senior at UW–Madison and a member of the committee, helped create the concept and bring the vision to life. The design concept is drawn from familiar objects, textile patterns, and memories shared with members of the committee. For Ramos, the objects represent more than just sewing supplies. “I hope people see the logo and feel a sense of familiarity,” Ramos stated. “Even if someone doesn’t come from a Latiné background, I hope there’s something in the design that reminds them of their own family, childhood, or a memory they share with the people around them”.

Students are encouraged to attend, listen, and participate in stories that remind us that heritage, resilience, and worth are beautifully woven together. Latine Heritage Month Planning Committee Advisor, Natalie Ergas, describes how her love for the role stems from “the welcoming community that is created,” showing that this is more than a month of pride but a chance where students can find a home within the larger Badger community. This September and October, UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the celebration, explore the many threads that connect Latiné communities, and discover how those threads are woven into our collective worth.