The sixth annual Latin Night event, organized by student organization Las Mujeres PSU, was in full swing on the evening of Friday, Feb. 2 in celebration of Latinx cultural heritage.
The celebration began with a buffet-style meal of traditional food. Colorful decorations adorned the ballroom along the ceiling, and members of the Latinx community on campus hung art pieces they created. Later on, music and dance took the night with salsa and bachata performances by Joy Studios and a live set from Dina y Los Rumberos, a band from Havana, Cuba.
Las Mujeres, founded in 1983, is a Latinx and women’s empowerment organization at Portland State. The group’s mission, as listed on their Facebook page, is to “create a positive space for Hispanic/Latina/Chicana/all women/allies on campus and in service to the greater community while celebrating Latin American culture and striving to promote strength, unity and empowerment for all women and our allies.”
“I think the biggest thing with our student group is just celebrating the achievements of our students, of our Latino students specifically,” said member Genara Solis.
In addition to organizing cultural events, Las Mujeres strives to create safe spaces in the community for people of all genders and cultures. “That’s the idea of our whole group really, to have that space for everyone to join, ” said Las Mujeres Event Coordinator Jackelyn Cortez.
