National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15 and recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Jones Day is, therefore, taking the opportunity to celebrate that contribution and influence in many different ways around the Firm this month. Please read on for more information about those celebrations.
"Our American Experience" Webinar
The Hispanic Lawyers Affinity Group hosted "Our American Experience," a presentation discussing Cuban history and culture and the importance of diversity and inclusion. As part of this presentation, Cristina Pérez Soto (Miami) and Rick Martinez (Minneapolis) interviewed the Honorable Rodolfo A. Ruiz II, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, first-generation American, and son of Cuban immigrants. The presentation was simulcast from the Miami Office.
Frontera Filmmakers Showcase
The San Diego Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement ("DIA") Committee rolled out two virtual red carpet events. On September 24, the San Diego Latino Film Festival streamed its Frontera Filmmakers Showcase, a program featuring seven short documentary films focusing on our border culture. The short films included one by a recent University of California San Diego graduate on the Chicano Park murals in Barrio Logan, a piece about the Border Church and Border Mosque at Friendship Park, and a look at the Prison Yoga Project at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee, Calif. The San Diego DIA Committee offered 26 free tickets on a first come, first served basis to stream this event. The next day, the San Diego DIA Committee hosted a red carpet critics' chat via Webex. Participants shared what they found good, bad, or surprising about the films and voted for their favorites. The winners were announced during the chat.
Spotlight Email Events
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the Los Angeles Office's DIA Committee has circulated officewide emails spotlighting Hispanic staff and lawyers. These spotlight "events," spearheaded by two associates, were a great way to learn about colleagues and their cultures.
Awards and Recognitions
Hilda Galvan, Partner-in-Charge of the Dallas Office, has been chosen by the Dallas Women Lawyers Association ("DWLA") to receive the Louise B. Raggio Award at their annual awards celebration on October 28. The Raggio Award is the DWLA's most prestigious honor and is named after the first female prosecutor in Dallas County who helped develop the Texas Family Code. The award recognizes individuals who have "demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism while making significant contributions to the advancement of women attorneys." In addition, Hilda served as the distinguished speaker at Texas Instruments' UNIDOS! Program in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month on September 17. The annual program celebrates diversity, Hispanic culture, and the accomplishments of key leaders in the Dallas community.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Duke University recognized Chicago partner José Isasi's service on the board of Duke University's Hispanic/Latino Alumni Association ("DUHLAA"). "I hope to contribute to increasing the numbers of Hispanic and Latinx graduates from Duke and to assist those graduates finding each other, allowing them to develop the same meaningful relationships we at DUHLAA enjoy," José said when asked why he is an active member of DUHLAA's board.
