Every March 8, the world commemorates International Women's Day, a date to reflect on the progress made, but also on the challenges that remain in the struggle for gender equality.

The wage gap, the glass ceiling and gender violence are just some of the situations that affect the full performance of women in many contexts of their daily lives.

That is why we want to highlight 12 Latinas who have made a significant impact in different fields in the United States, demonstrating excellence, determination, professionalism, intelligence and all the other qualities they bring to the table wherever they are.

These women have excelled in disciplines ranging from science and politics to art and activism. Their stories of perseverance and hard work are a testament to the vital role Latinas play in American society. Some have broken barriers in male-dominated industries, others have raised their voices for the rights of vulnerable communities, and many have left an indelible mark on culture and innovation.

Their trajectories remind us that the American dream is still possible for the Latino community.

1. Diana Trujillo (Colombia) - Aerospace engineer, NASA leader and key player in the Mars Perseverance rover mission.

She arrived in the United States at the age of 17 with no command of English, but with a clear dream: to work in space exploration. Through hard work and dedication, she managed to become an aerospace engineer and join NASA, where she has been a key player in the Mars Perseverance rover mission.

Trujillo has also stood out for her commitment to promoting women's participation in STEM, encouraging new generations to dream big and challenge gender stereotypes in science.

2. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Puerto Rico) - U.S. Congresswoman and one of the most influential progressive voices.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has revolutionized U.S. politics by becoming one of the most relevant and youngest congresswomen in the country. Her fight for social justice, climate change and workers' rights has positioned her as one of the most influential figures of her generation.

With humble beginnings and unwavering determination, Ocasio-Cortez has shown that politics can be accessible to all and that representation of Latino communities in government is essential for real change.

3. Irma Aracely Quispe Neira (Peru) - Aerospace engineer and mission analyst at NASA.

Irma Aracely Quispe Neira has made her mark in the aerospace industry as one of the most prominent Latinas at NASA. Her work as a mission analyst has been crucial to the development of space exploration projects, and her career inspires new generations of women interested in engineering and science.

She has participated in three space launches and led the engineering team that launched the James Webb telescope, which is currently the main provider of space images for humanity.

4. Jenna Ortega (Puerto Rico and Mexico) - Actress

She has become one of the most influential young actresses in Hollywood thanks to her starring role in Wednesday, the hit Netflix series. With Mexican and Puerto Rican roots, Ortega has used her platform to highlight Latino diversity in the entertainment industry and to advocate for more authentic representation of Hispanic communities in film and television.

From a young age, Jenna has worked tirelessly to build her career, appearing in major productions such as You, Scream and Jane the Virgin. Her commitment to her cultural identity has made her a point of reference for the new generation of Latino actors in Hollywood, proving that talent and determination can open doors in a highly competitive industry.

5. Nalleli Cobo (Mexico and Colombia) - Goldman Prize-winning environmental activist.

Nalleli Cobo is an environmental activist who from a young age has fought against pollution caused by oil extraction in vulnerable communities in Los Angeles. Her leadership and courage earned her the prestigious Goldman Prize, considered the Nobel Prize for the environment.

Diagnosed with health problems due to pollution in her neighborhood, Cobo turned her experience into an engine of struggle. Her work has led to the closure of oil wells and has put environmental justice for Latino and marginalized communities in the United States on the public agenda. Her example demonstrates that the voice of young people can generate transcendental change.

6. Erika Mejía (Honduras) - Entrepreneur and "florist to the artists" in Miami.

Erika Mejia is a Honduran entrepreneur who has conquered the floral design industry in Miami, becoming the "florist of the artists". Owner of Lovely Roses, her business has become a reference among celebrities and entertainment figures.

She arrived in the United States without many resources, but with an unbreakable spirit. Today, her company is synonymous with luxury and creativity, serving high-profile clients. His success reflects the impact of Latino immigrants in the business world. Her talent and recognition have led her to collaborate with renowned events such as Premios lo Nuestro, the Latin Grammy Awards, Premios Juventud and Nuestra Belleza Latina.

7. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (Ecuador) - Writer and journalist, National Book Award finalist.

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is one of today's most important literary voices. Her book The Undocumented Americans made her a finalist for the National Book Award, becoming the first undocumented writer to receive this distinction.

Through her work, Karla brings visibility to the immigrant experience in the U.S., telling their stories with a raw and human perspective. Her work has been acclaimed for its ability to challenge stereotypes and present a realistic view of the lives of undocumented immigrants.

8. Aisha Bowe (Bahamas) - Aerospace engineer and founder of STEMBoard.

Aisha Bowe has made her mark in the world of aerospace engineering, a field in which Latinas are increasingly making inroads. As a former NASA engineer and founder of STEMBoard, a technology company focused on STEM education, she has been a source of inspiration for young people in diverse communities.

Her commitment to education has led her to develop programs that encourage the participation of women and minorities in science and technology. She has just been announced within the crew of Blue Origin's tenth New Shepard, NS-31, first human flight to be launched this spring. She will be joined by Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sanchez.

9. Tanya Saracho (Mexico) - Writer and TV producer.

Tanya Saracho has made her mark on television as the writer and creator of Vida, a series acclaimed for its authentic portrayal of the Latino experience in the U.S. Through her work, she has opened spaces for diverse stories to be told on the big and small screen.

Throughout her career, which began in Chicago, Saracho has advocated for the inclusion of women and Latinos in Hollywood, working to change the narrative and provide opportunities for underrepresented creators. All of her work has been prominent, including her role as a screenwriter on the hit series "How to Get Away with Murder".

10. Paula Ferrada (Colombia) - Trauma surgeon, professor and leader in U.S. medicine.

She is one of the most influential Latina physicians in the United States, with a distinguished career in the area of trauma surgery and critical care. Her work has been instrumental in the training of new generations of physicians and in the development of innovative techniques to save lives in critical situations.

Originally from Colombia, Dr. Ferrada began her medical training at the Universidad del Valle before moving to the United States, where she consolidated her career in prestigious institutions. After completing a year of research at the University of Miami, she entered the residency in general surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, affiliated with Harvard, becoming the first Colombian woman to complete a surgical subspecialty at that institution.

11. María Artunduaga (Colombia) - Physician and innovator in health technology.

Dr. Maria Artunduaga enjoys flamenco, bolero, traveling, and mentoring underrepresented scientists and entrepreneurs. But she is recognized as a successful physician-scientist and inventor. She is the first woman to lead a US-Latam company to win MedTech Innovator, the world’s most competitive medical technology accelerator, chosen from over 1,300 global contenders. Inspired by the loss of her grandmother to undetected COPD exacerbations, she left her plastic surgery training to found Samay.

Securing $5.2 million in funding—nearly 60% non-dilutive from NSF and NIH—she developed Sylvee. This AI-powered wearable provides continuous pulmonary function monitoring for COPD patients, akin to a glucose monitor for diabetics. Sylvee has been featured in over 100 media outlets, including Forbes, TechCrunch, and Bloomberg. A top 1% student in her native Colombia, Dr. Artunduaga trained at Harvard Medical School (postdoc in Human Genetics), the University of Chicago (plastic surgery residency), the University of Washington (MPH in Global Public Health), and UC Berkeley/UCSF (MS in Translational Medicine). She currently resides in Mountain View, CA, with her family.