We take this time to recognize our contributions to our state and local communities.
Latinx communities have been in Iowa since the late 1800s when families started migrating to the state for agricultural work¹ and the number of Iowans who identify as Latinx continues to grow.² Latinx people have a wide range of experiences and identities, further contributing to the diversity they bring to the state:
We are immigrants, we are American-born citizens, we are members of the military, we are business owners, we are students, we are middle-class, we are grandparents, we are children.
And, most importantly, we are Iowans.
¹ Omar Valerio-Jimnez (2020). Iowa History Month: Tracing the rise of Mexican and Latino Iowans influence on the states social, cultural fabric. Des Moines Register.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/life/2020/03/25/iowa-history-month-mexican-latino-immigration/2907080001/
² State Data Center of Iowa (2019). Latinos in Iowa: 2019. State Data Center of Iowa [Infographics]. https://www.iowadatacenter.org/Publications/latinos2019.pdf