OMAHA — Two local Latinas who help lead immigrant advocacy efforts for Nebraska nonprofits were honored at a Cinco de Mayo celebration Tuesday.
Recognized with community impact awards at Metropolitan Community College’s 26th annual Cinco de Mayo luncheon were: Perla Ochoa, a South Omaha community organizer at the Heartland Workers Center, and Roxana Cortes-Mills, legal director of the Omaha-based Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement.
The annual awards come as a surprise to recipients who learn of their selection during the event at Metro’s South Omaha campus. Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the U.S., it has become a day to celebrate the culture and pride of Mexican heritage and traditions.
The featured speaker at the event was Cesar Cruz, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico, who co-founded Homies Empowerment, a community-based organization in Oakland California.
Cruz was raised as an undocumented Californian by a single mother, and at times was homeless sleeping in parks. He now holds a doctorate from Harvard University and is pursuing another at the Pacific School of Religion.
During his talk, Cruz connected the “pitchforks of Puebla” in 1862 to today’s tools that include pens, voting and degrees. He gave a shout out to local Latinos for stepping into political office, businesses for expanding in South Omaha and high school students for marching for immigrant rights.
Of Ochoa, event organizers said she ensures that individuals and families are heard, valued and supported. Heartland Workers Center is a nonprofit focusing on Latino leadership development, civic engagement and workers’ rights advocacy.
“Her leadership is grounded in service, advocacy and genuine dedication to uplifting others,” Metro said in a statement.
Event organizers said Cortes-Mills works to ensure that newcomers are informed, protected and empowered and helps them navigate complex circumstances.
“Her journey is rooted in lived experience — one that shaped not only her perspective but her life’s work,” the statement said.
