The First, But Not the Last: Reflections on Hispanic Heritage and the American Story

October 5, 2026

by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Member of the United States House of Representative from Florida, 1989-2019. She serves on the U.S. Capitol Historical Society Board of Trustee as an Emeritus member.

“How does it feel to be the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress?” That was the question Katie Couric asked me on The Today Show the day after my special election in 1989. I was sure there had been a mistake and hesitated to correct her on air, but she assured me that I had indeed become the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress. It was a tremendous honor, and I am grateful that, while I may have been the first, I was not the last.

When I joined the already underway 101st Congress in September 1989, there were only 15 other Hispanics in the U.S. House of Representatives and just 29 women. Today, Congress has 56 Hispanic members, including six in the Senate. The number of women in the House and Senate, including delegates, has grown to 129. The Hispanic population has grown steadily across the nation, and we now represent the largest minority group in the United States. Over nearly four decades, representation has increased significantly for both Hispanics and women, and those gains are reflected at every level of government.

I came to America at the age of eight, fleeing the communist takeover of my native Cuba with my parents and brother. One of my earliest memories in the United States is celebrating Halloween. My brother and I thought, what a great country—you get to dress up and receive free candy! Like so many exiles and refugees who come to this country seeking freedom and opportunity, my parents struggled at first but embraced our new home. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July became important family traditions. At the same time, we kept our own culture alive, particularly through food: my mom made the best black beans and rice, there were Cuban pastelitos at every gathering, and, of course, our special Christmas Eve roast pork. It is a blessing to embrace the American traditions of our adopted country while preserving our own.

Hispanic men and women on both sides of the aisle are part of the fabric of our great nation. I am proud of the bipartisan work my colleague Xavier Becerra and I accomplished during our time in Congress, which helped lay the foundation for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino.

From service in our nation’s military to careers as professionals, executives, doctors, nurses, and in every field imaginable, Latinos continue to help build America. As we celebrate America 250, Hispanics are proud of our country and remain committed to creating a better tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.

I am incredibly proud of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Marco interned in my congressional office many decades ago, and he has since built an exceptional career in public service. He is now the highest-ranking Hispanic official in U.S. history.

I often say that becoming the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress says more about the greatness and generosity of this country than it does about me. Hispanics are proud Americans who also cherish and preserve their cultural traditions, and Hispanic Heritage Month provides an important opportunity to celebrate both.