Cadena Collective — Celebrating Cultura

You may be familiar with the famous “Adelitas” or "Soldaderas", they are known as the women who fought alongside men in the Mexican Revolution. But did you know there is a woman behind the nickname? Her name was Adela Velarde Pérez born on September 8, 1900 in Chihuahua, México. She was said to be friendly, bold, brave, and smart. At just 13 years old, she became part of “La Cruz Blanca” where she learned medical skills against her father’s wishes.

Marielle was a human rights activist who was dedicated to speaking up against police violence, an advocate for the marginalized, the poor, the LGBTQ community, and women.  Born Marielle Francisco da Silva on July 27, 1979, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she grew up in a favela called Maré. 

Before Rita Moreno came to be, she was born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Her childhood was spent on a farm, up until she was 5 years old when her mother had saved up enough money to move to New York. There, she took dance classes, and at the age of 11, she was hired to voice over for American children in film who’d appear in Spanish-speaking countries. Her first appearance on Broadway came at the age of 13 where she made her debut in Skydrift (1945). 

Perhaps one of Mexico’s most iconic figures is “La Doña”, otherwise known as María Félix. Octavio Paz wrote, "María was born twice: her parents begat her, and she later invented herself". María de los Ángeles Félix was born on April 8, 1914 in Álamos, Sonora to Bernardo Félix Flores, a military officer, and Josefina Güereña Rosa.