Celia Cruz

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15, The Cardinal will feature prominent and historical Hispanic Americans, living or dead, who have worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Sophia Hernandez, Staff Writer

September 19, 2025

Celia Cruz is known as the ‘Queen of Salsa’, a latin music icon. The only woman who was able to reach success in the male dominated ‘salsa’ world. She is known as the pioneer of Afro-Latinidad as her music and lyrics focused on her African Identity. Cruz was born on October 21 in Havana, Cuba. Her father’s wish was for her to become a teacher, but when her aunt and cousins took her to cabarets to perform, she realized music was her calling.

Cruz went to Havana’s National Conservatory for Music and studied voice theory. During these years she entered a radio contest and soon after obtained radio fame. Due to the reaction from the public she was scouted by the band, Las Mulatas de Fuego, as a singer. They were known for touring around Latin America. After ten years she joined the popular orchestra group, La Sonora Mantacera, who helped her career take off and was introduced to the music industry. While in New York, she got engaged to Pedro Knight, however this caused commotion back in her homeplace. She was banned from returning to Cuba by Fidel Castro as he was left enraged by her defection.

Celia Cruz was a performer of 60 years with many accomplishments in her career. She released over 80 albums and 1,100 songs. Throughout her music career she won 23 Gold records, and 5 Grammys. Cruz was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts by then President Bill Clinton. Yale and the University of Miami awarded her an Honorary Doctorate. Additionally, Miami renamed a street after her. She was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame and the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. She also starred in various Hollywood movies, all of her accomplishments helped her obtain a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Celia Cruz passed away on July 16 in Fort Lee, New Jersey at the age of 77. Her last performance she ever gave was in New York City at the Grand Central Park Summer Stage. After her passing her iconic red, orange and white polka dot shoes now lie at the Smithsonian Museum in their permanent collection. She was also featured and honored in U.S currency by the U.S Department of Treasury. Celia Cruz was the first Afro-Latina ever featured in U.S currency.

About the Contributor

Sophia Hernandez, Staff Writer

Sophia is a senior at Hoover High School. She is 17 and her birthday is on January 23. Sophia is a Mexican-American student who was born and raised in San Diego in the North Park and City Heights Area. Sophia’s main interests are music, shows, and spending time with her family. She loves going to concerts and traveling. This past summer she visited Manchester for two weeks and loved every second of it. As much as she loves traveling, she can’t wait to come home to not only her family but to her orange cat whose name is Thomas. Thomas is her main companion who supports her and deals with her. Her main goal in life is to make her family proud and be the first to get a college degree. Sophia’s dream school is USC, she loves not only the campus but the area and city it’s in. She wants to pursue a career in Dermatology and help make a change in the lives of many people. Her biggest role model, although it may sound corny, is her mother. Her mother has taught her to push through no matter the challenges life may throw at you. Sophia pushes herself to be the best possible version of herself to ensure that she reaches all her goals she sets for herself. This summer her biggest goal was to get a new piercing, and she not only got a new one, but she got four! She was really proud of herself. Now her goal is to use her voice to speak up for not only her community but for everyone who can’t and to help make a change in society for the greater good. With the current administration, Sophia has tried her hardest to keep herself informed, and educate herself more on different topics. Society can help contribute to the change by coming together, the more people that come together and physically work to make a change other than simply posting online, will help make a permanent difference. Sophia hopes that in her lifetime she will contribute her time to staying involved and being part of good changes. She is excited to finish her last year of high school and everything that is to come with it.