Five Strong Arguments for Mothers to Honor Immigrant Heritage Month

We should take up space, make noise (hacer bulla), and celebrate like our stories matter because they do. Here are some reasons why Immigrant Heritage Month is so important to mothers.

1.To Rewrite the Story and Educate

The tale of immigrants is so often reduced to soundbites. "They sought a better life here." Yes, but what about the restless nights spent trying to understand medical bills written in a language other than your native tongue? What if we were told we were not doing enough while having three jobs?

 that mothers who are immigrants frequently make the first sacrifices and receive the least attention.

Not only poetry, but policy should also be discussed. Healthcare that is culturally sensitive, childcare equity, equal pay, and language availability are not extravagances. They are essential. Real stories are the first step toward raising awareness, which in turn leads to advocacy.

2. To Honor the Influence of Cultural Mosaic

Many languages are spoken in our households. We add memories to our meals. Centuries of history are contained in our lullabies. However, we are frequently instructed to assimilate—to flatten ourselves to conform to the idea of normalcy held by others.

We were not created to be unseen, though.

We have an excuse to shine—to honor the cuisines, celebrations, textiles, and traditions that give our families their depth of significance—during Immigrant Heritage Month. Cultural variety is the lifeblood of a flourishing society, not just a trendy term. And mothers who are immigrants? We are its stewards.

3. To Promote the Honest, Unvarnished Narratives

Let us discuss the farewells at airports from which no one ever really recovers. the home letters that are never returned. the sudden onset of homesickness before bed. These tales are not uncommon; rather, they are typical. And they are worthy of a full-color story.

We have a platform during Immigrant Heritage Month to convey our stories and not just be numbers.

Stereotypes are challenged when we talk about what we have been through, what we have created, and how we persevere despite being bone-tired. We substitute power for sympathy. One truth at a time, our stories transform the national dialogue.

4. To Promote Justice and Dignity

Let us discuss numbers. Even with comparable qualifications, immigrant mothers only receive 36 cents for every dollar earned by white men. It is a chasm, not just a gap. Additionally, it implies that many of us are putting in twice as much effort for only half the benefit.

Honoring Immigrant Heritage Month is about more than just telling stories; it is about changing the system.

We take this opportunity to speak out language injustice, demand equitable pay, combat workplace discrimination, and remove the obstacles that keep our families on the periphery. Because being a mother should not be financially costly, and immigration should not diminish our worth.

5. To Provide Roots and Wings for the Next Generation

Our kids are observing us. They observe our code-switching. When we become silent during parent-teacher conferences due to a lack of words, they notice. However, they also witness our perseverance. Our pride. Our enduring, profound affection.

Not only do we honor the past during Immigrant Heritage Month, but we also look to the future. We are giving our kids a sense of identity and belonging. We are demonstrating to them that it is possible to be passionately free and firmly rooted at the same time.

It is All About Being Seen in the End

There are immigrant mothers everywhere: at cash registers, in waiting areas, at bus stops, on Zoom calls, and at PTA meetings. In many communities, we serve as the unseen backbone. All too frequently, however, our names, our languages, and our labor are overlooked.

We should not remain silent, as Immigrant Heritage Month serves as a reminder. We are worthy of a celebration. Policy is something we deserve. We are worthy of advancement.

So let us create a stir this month and every month. Let us tell our tales. Let us demand what is rightfully ours.

Additionally, let us remind everyone that immigrant mothers are an integral part of the American narrative.