
This year Latino Heritage Month was one to remember. Several student organizations and departments across campus hosted many innovative events and opportunities for our community to come together. This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” recognizes the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have paved the way for future generations. It also calls on people to embrace the change that they want to see in the world.
In this spirit, on October 1, La Alianza at the Wisconsin Law School hosted Legal Luminaries: A Networking and Panel Event (Bench Edition). For the first time, several Latino Wisconsin judges were part of a panel moderated by La Alianza and LSSA President, Carlos Puga. The judges shared their unique journeys to the bench and the hope they felt for the coming generation of legal professionals.
The panel was comprised of trailblazers from the community who continue to give back and shine a guiding light for fellow first-generation students and for many first-generation Americans. Notably, Judge Ness Flores became the first Latino judge in Wisconsin after serving as Waukesha County Circuit Court judge from 1978-1983.
In 1999, Judge Ralph Ramirez became the first elected Latino judge in Wisconsin after being elected to the Waukesha County bench. Additionally, Judge Pedro Colón shared how he overcame obstacles and became the first Latino Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge just last year.
Paving the way for future generations is crucial for marginalized communities that are often overlooked and underrepresented. Latino judges make up less than five percent of the bench across the State of Wisconsin. However, we have begun to see how people can be the change they wish to see in our world.
Judge Carolina Stark made headlines by winning a closely contested election in 2012 to defeat an incumbent and become a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge. Additionally, after serving over two decades with the State Public Defender’s Office, Judge Reyna Morales was appointed to the bench in 2020. Lastly, in 2021, Judge Yadira Rein, became the first person of color to serve as a judge in Outagamie County and one of few Spanish-speaking attorneys in the Fox Valley.
While many may view these changes as long overdue, the night hosted by La Alianza at the Wisconsin Law School during the 2024 Mes de la Herencia Latina allowed attendees to not only reflect on the history and efforts of La Comunidad Latina in Wisconsin but to also look forward. The first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Justice Sonia Sotomayor summarized it perfectly when she said, “I think it’s important to move people beyond just dreaming into doing. They have to be able to see that you are just like them, and you made it.”
– Written by Carlos Puga