Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 – October 15, Northampton Community College (NCC) is holding several events and co-sponsoring and hosting Hispanic Heritage Celebrations on Bethlehem’s Southside. The Hispanic Caucus is vital in the planning of these events and is comprised of faculty and staff at the college advocating for the inclusion and success of Latinx students, staff and community members.  

This month is a time to share and celebrate the rich culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. To kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month, on September 12, Bethlehem campus held a Hispanic Flag Raising Ceremony on the Quad. The event was marked by traditional Latinx food, music, and networking.  

At the event, attendees learned that the crosses on the Hispanic flag symbolize Christopher Columbus’s three ships, the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria with the rising sun symbolizing the awakening of the new lands. 
 
Below find a list of other events for Hispanic Heritage Month, and check NCC’s events page often to see upcoming events as they are added.  

Bilingual National Voting Registration Day: September 17 

Hispanic American Cultural Club (HACC) and NCC Hispanic Caucus will join the Coast-to-Coast Partner Coalition, which aims to register Americans to vote. Club and Caucus members will host a non-partisan bilingual table during National Voting Registration Day at the college to share information about issues affecting the Hispanic community and provide other valuable information surrounding registering. 

Bethlehem-Patillas Event – September 18 

In the 1940’s, Bethlehem Steel was experiencing a labor shortage and recruited men from Patillas, Puerto Rico to come work at the steel mill. Since that time, Patillas has had a lasting relationship with Bethlehem.  

For Hispanic Heritage month, the city of Bethlehem will welcome a delegation from Patillas and honor them with a week-long overview of the Lehigh Valley, concluding with a Flag Raising Ceremony. NCC has been creating future opportunities around workforce development, educational partnerships, and economic development with Patillas. Join us on September 18 at Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School (BAVTS) from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. for a conversation around union, trades, and educational partnerships with NCC, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Moravian University, Community Action Development Bethlehem (CADB), and BAVTS. There will be light refreshments provided. 

67 Women, 67 Counties Exhibit: September 14 – 22; Reception: September 19 

Hispanic women are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age and with a more aggressive type of breast cancer than non-Hispanic women. 
 
The Hispanic Caucus has partnered with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) to raise awareness about this important issue. NCC invites you to attend the opening of the photo exhibit titled 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania. This unique exhibit features individuals from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, along with photos and quotes about how breast cancer has touched their lives. The survivors in the exhibit exemplify the diversity of Pennsylvania, and their messages reflect the impact breast cancer can have on families and communities across our state. The photo exhibit also encourages women to learn the importance of breast cancer screenings and early detection. 

 
The exhibit will be displayed on Bethlehem campus in Laub Lounge through September 22, with a welcome reception on September 19. 

Celebration Day – September 19  

NCC is helping to sponsor a Hispanic Heritage Celebration, which will be held on Southside Bethlehem on September 19. Dress in your country’s colors to celebrate your heritage! Enjoy delicious food, exhibitors, activities, and awards.