Dane County Board of Supervisors Recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 04, 2025
Dylan Moffitt, Policy, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator, (608) 228-9053
County Board

2025 Theme is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.”

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — On Thursday, September 4, 2025, the Dane County Board of Supervisors officially recognized the period from September 15 to October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month throughout Dane County, honoring the rich history, vibrant culture, and invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans. The significance of September 15 relates to the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The month-long tradition also encompasses Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16 and Chile’s Independence Day on September 18. The board passed 2025 RES-137 to mark this observance.

“Hispanic and Latine communities enrich Dane County in countless ways,” said Supervisor April Kigeya (Dist. 15), who presented the resolution. “From cultural traditions and entrepreneurial leadership to civic engagement and advocacy, their impact is felt in every corner of our community. This month is an opportunity not only to honor those contributions, but also to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all residents can thrive, even in the face of adversity.”

The board also acknowledged and commended the work of the Latino Academy of Workforce Development and other community organizations, which play an invaluable role in supporting and advancing opportunities for Hispanic and Latino individuals. Their efforts strengthen Dane County’s diverse communities by providing linguistically and culturally competent adult education programs that foster social, economic, and civic success.

The board welcomed Nydia Martinez, Executive Director of the Latino Academy of Workforce Development, to speak in support of the resolution. “Hispanic/Latine workers are the backbone of Dane County’s economy—building homes, sustaining agriculture, caring for families, and fueling growth in hospitality, construction, and our economy overall,” said Martinez. “At the Latino Academy of Workforce Development, we see every day how their hard work, resilience, and leadership enrich not just our community, but the entire state of Wisconsin. By providing culturally relevant education and workforce training, we help ensure that the very workers who sustain our economy also have the tools to thrive in it. This resolution is a powerful recognition of their contributions—and a reminder that when we invest in Latino workers and organizations like LAWD, we invest in the strength and future of Dane County.”

The Dane County Board of Supervisors reaffirms its commitment to supporting its Hispanic and Latine residents through county programs and services, such as the Immigration Affairs Office (IAO). The IAO is part of the Prevention and Early Intervention Division of the Dane County Department of Human Services.

If you or someone you know in the immigrant community is in need of assistance, please contact the IAO at (608) 895-0650 or via email at hsimmigrationaffairs@danecounty.gov.

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About the Dane County Board of Supervisors: The Dane County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and policymaking body of Dane County government. Made up of 37 supervisors elected from districts in the county, the mission of the Dane County Board of Supervisors is to effectively represent the people of Dane County, providing services that secure the blessings of freedom, ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and perfect the forms of government. Learn more about the County Board at https://board.danecounty.gov/.