Hispanic Heritage Month 2009

Judge Rudolph A. Diaz

Judge Rudolph A. Diaz presides over Family Law at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles. Previously, for more than six years, he served as the supervising judge of the Eastlake Juvenile Court and initiated the Juvenile Drug Court Program at Eastlake. Judge Diaz is also chairman of the Los Angeles County Oversight Committee on Drug Courts and serves on the Los Angeles County Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Commission. He is a founding member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and was the first Latino to serve as president of the California Judges Association. Learn more.

Antonia Hernández

Antonia Hernández is the president and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF), one of the largest philanthropic organizations in Southern California. Previously, she was president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). Nationally recognized for her commitment to underserved communities throughout Los Angeles, Hernández currently serves on numerous boards, including the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the UCLA School of Law Board of Advisors. She also received UCLA's 2008 Academic Advancement Program Leadership Award as a civic champion of education access and excellence. Learn more.

Ruebén Martinez

Ruebén Martinez is the founder and owner of Librería Martinez Books & Art Gallery and Libros Para Niños, a children's bookstore. Now celebrating his 29th year as a business owner, Martinez promotes reading, education and democracy within the community. He has been instrumental in developing reading enthusiasts, improving children's performance in school, enriching families and instilling pride in others. Martinez is also a nationally renowned keynote speaker. He was named one of the "100 People Who Shaped Orange County" by the Orange County Register in 2005 and one of CBS' "American Heroes" by Katie Couric in 2007. Learn more.

Raul & Maria Salinas

Raul & Maria Salinas, husband and wife, have been recognized for their service to the Latino community. Mr. Salinas is managing partner for the Los Angeles office of Adorno Yoss Alvarado & Smith, the nation's largest minority owned law firm. He founded the California Hispanic Corporate Council Leadership Institute and is active in a number of civic and community organizations. Ms. Salinas is president of Salinas Consulting, LLC, an accounting and finance management firm. She previously worked for The Walt Disney Company and is also a founding member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). Learn more.

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