Somos Latinas Education Resources
Grades 6-12
Multiple class periods
The Somos Latinas (We Are Women) History Project (2012-2016) was created to document the many significant and largely hidden contributions of Latinas in Wisconsin engaged in their communities to positively impact society.
Download ActivitiesPlease note that some primary resources used in these activities contain offensive language in quotations from historical figures (offensive words appear in full). Please review all materials before assigning them to students to ensure they are appropriate and to provide historic context.
Objectives
Enduring Understanding:
Being an activist, and activism in general, is not limited by race, color, creed, or gender. However, the intersections of these identifiers have historically posed significant social barriers in both undertaking and learning about activism in marginalized communities.
Essential Questions:
- What is activism?
- How can activism lead to change?
- How do women's intersecting gender roles and identities make political activism more challenging?
Students will:
- Recognize activist actions
- Understand the context of struggles of Latina activists
- Recognize the importance of women's voices in activist causes
- Evaluate the efficacy of working together for change
- Reflect on what it means to be an activist in their own lives
Background
Celebrated Latina civil rights activist and foreword writer Dolores Huerta once said, "Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world." These are the stories of some of the Latina activists from Wisconsin who have lived Huerta's words. Somos Latinas shares the powerful narratives of 25 activists from outspoken demonstrators to collaborative community-builders to determined individuals working for change behind the scenes- providing proof of the long-standing legacy of Latina activism throughout Wisconsin. Somos Latinas draws on activist interviews conducted as part of the Somos Latinas Digital History Project, housed at the Wisconsin Historical Society, and looks deep into the life and passion of each woman.
Activity
Somos Latinas Curriculum
This education resource is designed for grades 6-12 and provides a curriculum focused on the activism of four women featured in the book.
Download ActivitiesSomos Latinas
Educators and students can bring the stories of Wisconsin’s Latina activists to life by purchasing Somos Latinas. This compelling collection pairs seamlessly with our classroom activities, providing a meaningful way to explore history, civic engagement, and the power of individual and collective action in creating social change.
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Last Updated: May 21, 2026
