Notable Latino Americans: A Biographical Dictionary

(Hardback)

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U.S. Latinos have made important contributions to American society, and this biographical dictionary is devoted to celebrating those contributions. All 127 men and women profiled in this work have immigrated to or been born in the United States and have made major contributions to American life and culture. Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, and others of Spanish, South American, Central American and Caribbean heritagemore than one-third of them womenrepresent 35 fields of endeavor and all 50 states. From historical figures to the newest sports champion, figure-skater Rudy Galindo, this work provides profiles of both prominent and important but less-familiar people who have made significant contributions in their fields. Many of those profiled can be found in no other biographical source. A selection of photos complements the text. All biographies have been written by experts in their ethnic fields. Those profiled range widely from distinguished scientists to sports stars, from actors to activists, from businesswomen to political personalities, from literary luminaries to labor organizers. All are potential role models for young men and women, and many have overcome extreme odds to succeed. These colorfully written, substantive biographies detail their subjects' goals, struggles, and commitments to success and to their ethnic communities. Among the 127 people profiled are: Nobel Prize-winning scientist Luis Alvarez; Treasurer of the United States Romana Acosta Bauelos; actor/composer/activist Rubn Blades; classical dancer Fernando Bujones; baseball player Jos Canseco; U.S. Secretary of Education Lauro Cavazos Jr.; writer Sandra Cisneros; fashion designer Oscar de la Renta; U.S. Congressman Lincoln Daz-Balart; teacher Jaime Escalante; composer/singer Gloria Estefan; tennis players Gigi Fernndez and Mary Joe Fernndez ; playwright Mara Forns; U.S. Men's 1996 Figure Skating Champion Rudy Galindo; physician/political activist Hctor Garca; Coca-Cola CEO Roberto Goizueta; labor leader Dolores Huerta; U.S. Ambassador Mara-Luci Jaramillo; artist Marisol; civil-rights activist Vilma Socorro Martnez; businessman/politician Jorge Mas Canosa; federal judge Harold Medina; graphic artist Nicholasa Mohr; U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello; astronaut Ellen Ochoa; Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Severo Ochoa; TV personality Geraldo Rivera; U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; educational psychologist George I. Snchez; newspaper editor Roberto Surez; women's rights activist/businesswoman Mara Elena Torao-Pantn; New York State Supreme Court Judge Edwin Torres; mystic Teresa Urrea; film producer/director Luis Valdez. For ease of use, the heading of each profile identifies ethnic group, field of endeavor, birthdate and, where appropriate, death date. Each profile concludes with a suggested reading list of books and periodical articles about the subject. An ethnic index, field of endeavor index, and a general index make research easy. This much needed reference work is essential for school and public libraries.

Reviews

"No other biographical source offers the in-depth treatment of Latino[s] available in Notable Latino Americans."-Rettig on Reference
[T]his volume will be of value to public, school, and undergraduate libraries.-Library Journal
Covering 127 persons, with the majority political activists, performing artists, writers, business leaders, and sport figures, the book has useful indexes by activity or profession and then by country of origin or ethnic group.-Booklist/RBB
No other biographical source offers the in-depth treatment of Latino[s] available in Notable Latino Americans.-Rettig on Reference
The three-to-four page biographies are clear and detailed and often give real insight into the person's life and work. While the focus is on the individual's main field of accomplishment, the authors do not shy away from the personal or controversial.... The coverage, especially of contemporary figures, is good.... a useful companion source....-School Library Journal
This new publication profiles 127 Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and other Latinos who have made important and varied contributions in the US and internationally. Entries are informative, lively, carefully prepared, and include bibliographies for further reading. Historical and cultural information in the introduction demonstrates the authors' understanding of Latino populations in the US... this authoritative book is highly recommended for all libraries and levels.-Choice
This single volume contains information on several individuals who cannot be easily found in other biographical references, and will be a valuable addition to the reference area or to the general collection.-The Book Report
"This volume will be of value to public, school, and undergraduate libraries."-Library Journal
"[T]his volume will be of value to public, school, and undergraduate libraries."-Library Journal
"Covering 127 persons, with the majority political activists, performing artists, writers, business leaders, and sport figures, the book has useful indexes by activity or profession and then by country of origin or ethnic group."-Booklist/RBB
"The three-to-four page biographies are clear and detailed and often give real insight into the person's life and work. While the focus is on the individual's main field of accomplishment, the authors do not shy away from the personal or controversial.... The coverage, especially of contemporary figures, is good.... a useful companion source...."-School Library Journal
"This single volume contains information on several individuals who cannot be easily found in other biographical references, and will be a valuable addition to the reference area or to the general collection."-The Book Report
"This new publication profiles 127 Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and other Latinos who have made important and varied contributions in the US and internationally. Entries are informative, lively, carefully prepared, and include bibliographies for further reading. Historical and cultural information in the introduction demonstrates the authors' understanding of Latino populations in the US... this authoritative book is highly recommended for all libraries and levels."-Choice

Author Bio

MATT S. MEIER is Patrick A. Donohoe, S. J. Professor Emeritus at Santa Clara University in California. A pioneer in researching and teaching the history of Mexican Americans, he is author of Mexican American Biographies (Greenwood, 1988), the update of Carey McWilliams's North From Mexico (1990), and Bibliography of Mexican American History (Greenwood, 1984), and coauthor with F. Rivera of Dictionary of Mexican American History (Greenwood, 1981, ALA Outstanding Reference Book of 1982), Mexican Americans/American Mexicans (1993), Readings on La Raza (1974), and Chicanos: A History of Mexican Americans (1972). In 1985 he received Santa Clara University's Ethnic Studies Distinguished Service Award. CONCHITA FRANCO SERRI, J. D., is President of Serri Compliance Training and specializes in AB 1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. Born in San Juan, she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Puerto Rico. She then came to the mainland to obtain her M.A. in education at Harvard University and for her law degree went to Boston College, where she wrote for the Uniform Commercial Code Reporter-Digest and was editor of the law school's Third World Law Journal. She is actively involved in children's education and research. RICHARD A. GARCIA is Professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Hayward. He is an American cultural and intellectual historian who specializes in ethnic and cultural studies. He is author of Rise of the Mexican American Middle Class: San Antonio, 1929-1941 (1991) and coauthor with Richard Griswold del Castillo of Cesar Chavez: A Triumph Of Spirit (1995).