VOCES

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, the United States honors Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The celebration begins on September 15, a significant date marking the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on September 16 and 18. This month is not only about honoring history but also about uplifting the voices and legacies of Latinx leaders who continue shaping our future.

Hispanic and Latinx professionals have made extraordinary contributions to psychology, counseling, and social work, paving the way for culturally responsive care and inclusive education.

Let’s Play: Guessing Game!

Can you guess…?

1. Who was the first Latina president of the APA?
2. Who was the first Puerto Rican ACA president?
3. Which Cuban psychologist studied bilingualism and child development?
4. Who is the current ACA President (2025)?
5. Which Puerto Rican social worker founded ASPIRA?
6. Who created UCLA’s first Spanish-speaking psychiatric clinic?

(Answers at the bottom. No cheating!)

Here are some inspiring leaders to know:

Psychologists

• Dr. Melba J. T. Vasquez – The first Latina to serve as APA President (2011), she is a pioneer in multicultural psychology and ethics.
• Dr. Alfredo Ardila – Cuban neuropsychologist known internationally for research on bilingualism and brain function.
• Dr. Ricardo F. Muñoz – Distinguished Professor at Palo Alto University. A digital mental health innovator who developed internet-based, bilingual depression prevention tools and founded i4Health, making evidence-based care accessible globally.

Psychiatrist

• Dr. José Luis Sánchez – Puerto Rican psychiatrist and advocate who fought stigma and expanded mental health access in Latinx communities.

Counselors

• Dr. Edil Torres Rivera – First Puerto Rican and Latinx male ACA President (2023), dedicated to liberation psychology and multicultural counseling.
• Dr. M. Elsa Soto Leggett – Current ACA President (2025), a leader in counselor education and play therapy, known for her servant leadership.
• Dr. Patricia Arredondo – ACA President (2005–2006), a national voice for multicultural counseling and inclusive leadership.
• Dr. Marcheta P. Evans – ACA’s 59th President, championing diversity and empowerment in higher education.

Social Workers

• Antonia Pantoja – Puerto Rican social worker and founder of ASPIRA, empowering Latino youth in education and leadership; recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• Armando Torres Morales – First Latino to earn a Doctor of Social Work degree; founded UCLA’s first psychiatric clinic for Spanish-speaking patients.
• Maria Sardiñas – Educator who created California’s first graduate course in psychosocial rehab, focusing on bilingual services.
• Delia Villegas Vorhauer – Activist and social worker who advanced bilingual education and founded Mujeres Unidas de Michigan.

Answers to the questions above:

1. Dr. Melba J. T. Vasquez
2. Dr. Edil Torres Rivera
3. Dr. Alfredo Ardila
4. Dr. M. Elsa Soto Leggett
5. Antonia Pantoja
6. Armando Torres Morales

Representation in mental health professions matters. These trailblazers remind us that Latinx voices belong at the center of care, education, and advocacy. They inspire us to amplify community voices, dismantle stigma, and carry forward a legacy of empowerment.

Challenge: Share a Latinx counselor, psychologist, social worker, or educator who inspires you and reflect on how you can honor their legacy in your own work.