It’s been 152 years since the Mexican army defeated France at the Battle of Puebla, and hence planted the celebratory Cinco de Mayo seed. A holiday set on celebrating the country’s pride and heritage, today we invite you to celebrate some the entertainment industry’s most talented women who hail from Mexico or Mexican descent.
Salma Hayek: The 47 year old, Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz born actress, director and producer has been entertaining and enthralling audiences since the early 1990s. Her acting career has led her through comedies, dramas, romance, and the biopic, Frida for which she received an Academy Award nomination in 2002. ABC’s Ugly Betty fans may remember her guest appearance on the show, but Hayeck was more than a guest star she was also executive producer of the four season long series. She also created her own production company, Ventanarosa, which focuses on Latin works. With several other entrepreneur side projects, her longstanding partnership with UNICEF, and her recent involvement with the women empowerment project – Chime for Change, Hayeck is a Hollywood classic.
Lynda Carter: An American icon, best known for playing Wonder Woman in the 1970s television series shares her Mexican heritage with her mother’s side of the family. Carter has run the gamut of the entertainment industry, covering everything from actress to beauty pageant winner, and computer game voice-overs to Maybelline cover girl in the eighties. The entertainer has been a longtime advocate for pro-choice women’s rights, as well as LGBT equality. In the 1990s, Carter started her own production company, Potomac Productions, based out of the greater Washington DC area.
Sara Ramirez: Actress and singer-songwriter was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, and grew up in San Diego, CA. The Grey’s Anatomy star has a B.F.A from Juilliard, and will be joining the majority of the Grey’s cast for their 11th season starting this fall. A comedian who’s skilled in theater, Ramirez has won both a Tony Award and The Outer Critics Circle Award for her role in Monty Python’s Spamalot in 2005. Ramirez is well-respected as a celebrity who can frequently be found performing at benefit concerts and comedy shows for The 52nd Street Project and the Solidarity Fund.
Joan Baez: The 73 year old, folk-singer, musician and activist hails from Staten Island, NY and was born into a prominent Mexican-American family. Baez, who’s musical career began in the early 1960s has made a massive contribution to American music and politics. She’s been a longtime fighter for civil rights, and human rights as a whole. Baez has been honored for her politically charged music. In 2011 she was the first recipient of Amnesty International’s Joan Baez Award for Outstanding Inspirational Service in the Global Fight for Human Rights.
Selena Gomez: The tween Disney actress and singer is a Texas native of Mexican and Italian descent. Named after the beloved Latina singer, Selena, Gomez has been performing since 2002 – at the age of 10 – when she won the role of Gianna on Barney and Friends. The child star was the lead character on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, but today she’s grown into a full-fledged pop star with her debut solo album “Stars Dance.” The 21 year old is also involved with several organizations and charities including RAISE Hope For Congo (along with Robin Wright), and UNICEF, she’s also donated her time towards Haiti Fundraisers and helping teens be better politically educated.
Photos Courtesy of Wikipedia
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