September 15 marked the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the rest of this month and until October 15, there will be celebrations all over the country honoring the culture, history and traditions of U.S. Hispanics.

The U.S. government’s website hispanicheritagemonth.gov explains the history of Hispanic Heritage Month as the following: “The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988…It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988…”

During these 30 days, many Latin American countries celebrate their Independence Day including: Nicaragua, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. The celebration was extended to October 15 to include Columbus Day or “Día de la Raza” on October 12.

Every year, my family and I celebrate Mexican Independence Day with mariachi songs, enchiladas and tacos – we don’t call it “Mexican Food” we call it dinner!  I make sure we celebrate as many Hispanic Holy Days as possible.  If you are Latin, you know that we think of our heritage almost as a religion. We are particularly proud of our traditions, food, language and identity, talking about our “gente” is as sensitive as talking about our mothers.

This year, I took a minute to reflect of what I would say to my 12-year-old son on the importance of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The most obvious explanation would have been “because we are Mexican- American.” Instead the words that came out of my mouth were “because we are powerful.” Then he was really interested and said, “Powerful like a super hero?” “Sí, I replied, “like a super hero.”

“But only if we vote,” I added with a sigh.

According to the Pew Research Center Latinos or Hispanics (as you may preferred to be called) are 54.1 million or 17% of the U.S. population. Moreover, in any given year, more than 800,000 young Latinos turn 18.  I can’t stop thinking about how fast time flies and in less than 6 years my Mexican-American boy will be able to cast his first ballot. When that day arrives, I will make sure my young adult son registers to vote. And you should do the same!

Today, I invite all Latinas/os to register to vote and to invite all your family members to do so, too. It’s easy and fast. You can do it online here: http://moms.ly/momsvote

Let’s celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making sure our families and communities exercise their super powers, the power of their vote!

Also, if you haven’t already, join me at MomsRising / MamásConPoder http://www.momsrising.org/page/moms/take-action  It’s free! MomsRising / MamásConPoder is a multicultural organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all moms, women, and families in the United States. MomsRising / MamásConPoder is working for paid family leave, earned sick days, affordable childcare, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination that penalizes so many mothers. MomsRising / MamásConPoder also advocates for better childhood nutrition, health care for all, toxic-free environments, breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start, and a national budget that reflects the contributions of women and moms.