Honoring Latina Firsts: 5 Women Who Paved The Way In STEM and Beyond

The Latinitas mission is to empower all girls to innovate through media and technology, so we want to celebrate women who paved the way for future generations in their respective fields and highlight 5 Latina trailblazers. Here is a list of Latina pioneers and their groundbreaking achievements.

1. Aída de Acosta

Aída de Acosta. Photo from Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Aída de Acosta is a Cuban American recognized as the first Latina pilot who flew a powered aircraft solo in 1903. After taking only three flight lessons, she flew a dirigible at about 15 miles per hour in France at 19 years old, six months before the Wright Brothers had made their first flight. The flight was from Neuilly St. James to the polo field at Bagatela at the northern end of the Bois de Boulogne and it lasted for 15 minutes. She landed on the polo field during a match and spent a few minutes watching the match before she flew back to Neuilly St. James. Ms. Acosta’s achievement was groundbreaking and inspired other women to pursue a career in aviation.

2. Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa. Photo from NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The first Latina to go to space is Ellen Ochoa, a Mexican American engineer and astronaut. She made history in 1993 when she flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery, making her the first Latina astronaut to launch into space. Ms. Ochoa continued to complete four space missions and later served as the first Latina director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Her accomplishments have inspired other Latinas and women in STEM to follow in her footsteps. For more information, you can read Latinitas interview with Ochoa to learn more about her career and life as an astronaut!

3. Dr. Ynés Mexía

Dr. Ynés Mexía. Photo from UNLADYLIKE2020.

One of the earliest known Latinas in STEM is Dr. Ynés Mexía, a Mexican American botanist that made significant contributions to botany. She started her career later in life, at age 51, and collected plant specimens over 13 years from regions in the Americas. Ms. Mexía discovered about 500 new species and several were named after her. Her pioneering work and field expeditions set a path for Latinas in STEM to pursue careers in science and exploration.

4. Helen Gertrude Domínguez

Helen Gertrude Domínguez. Photo from Stanford University Archives and Special Collections.

The first known Latina to graduate from college in the United States was Helen Gertrude Domínguez, a Mexican American who earned a degree in English from the University of Southern California in 1929. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and was active in drama. Ms. Domínguez continued on to work for the Pasadena, California school system and died in 1987. In 1996, she was inducted into Stanford’s Alumni Multicultural Hall of Fame. She helped pave the way for future Latinas in higher education.

5. Sonia Sotomayor

Sonia Sotomayor. Photo from the collection of the Supreme Court of the United States, Steve Petteway source, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The first Latina appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court was Sonia Sotomayor. She is a Puerto Rican American from the Bronx who earned a law degree from Yale in 1979. She was appointed and confirmed to the Supreme Court in 2009, marking an important milestone for women, Latinas, and people of color in American politics and law. She is the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Author

  • Sonia Sanchez

    Sonia Sanchez is a vibrant journalist with Mexican roots that has a penchant for spreading good news. Her journey into journalism began at The Dateline, the student-run newspaper for The University of Houston-Downtown. She has a Master of Science in Technical Communication and Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing. She is also a Latina in Tech that runs a technical writing business called Simply Write for clients such as HP, Inc. She enjoys taking Hip-Hop and Street Jazz dance classes around Houston for fun. Recognized for her contributions to journalism, Sonia received a scholarship from the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals. With a passion for cultural topics and a dedication to uplifting the Latino community, Sonia continues to make her mark as a journalist with heart and credibility. She is also passionate about the advancement of women, especially Latinas.

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