Many Firsts, but First of Many: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

September 28, 2023

As a biracial, bilingual Dominican-American woman, born and raised in Miami, I grew up surrounded by my culture. The “buenos dias” and “gracias” appeared around every corner — from the cafeteria where I picked up my daily “café con leche” to the classroom where teachers generously shared their “cortaditos” with anyone who needed a pick-me-up. It was not apparent to me that I was a minority until I moved over 300 miles away from home to the University of Florida as a first-generation college student.

Attending a predominantly white institution, I realized that a lot of the resources and knowledge my peers had coming into college came from their families, and included the assumption that one day they would be pursuing higher education. As I met other first-generation students, I saw the need for a supportive community that would encourage and uplift first-generation students who are learning to navigate collegiate life. That’s when my reality shifted into focus – I became fully invested in advocating for those who did not have the opportunities I was afforded and helped to initiate a first-generation mentorship program at the university.

This same desire led me to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, where I educated the youth in my community on a variety of topics from setting goals and identifying personal values, to life skills and environmental advocacy. From there, I felt called to continue my journey by joining a federal agency with a mission close to my heart: protecting human health and the environment.

Embracing My Roots at EPA

From childhood, it was instilled in me to cherish the environment and to feel a personal responsibility toward caring for the planet we live in. Both my parents worked for our county’s Division of Environmental Resources Management, so discussions about water and energy conservation, recycling, air quality monitoring, and planting trees were common at our dinner table. Environmental issues weren’t just conversations at meal time, though – my brothers and I spent many summers in the Dominican Republic with no internet, experiencing the joys of dynamic ecosystems. Every day we played with frogs and lizards, hiked down rainforest hills, and discovered local insects.

So, it came as no surprise when I told my family that I was joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. At the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, I used both my science background and writing skills to communicate chemical and pesticide decisions to the general public, focusing on plain language.

This work was particularly important to me, because it involved communicating worker safety information to farmworkers, a population that is predominantly Spanish speaking. I was able to translate important resources and draft language that made pesticide safety information more understandable to farmworkers out in the field. I was also able to be the voice in the room suggesting Spanish translations, additional Spanish content and outreach activities, and emphasizing the importance of reaching our Spanish-speaking audience.

Now in the Office of Public Affairs, I continue to help with agency messaging on social media, focusing on crafting clear and understandable language about EPA activities and programs. There is nothing I am more passionate about than making environmental information accessible to everyone.

First but Not Last

I was the first in my family to pursue higher education, the first to serve in the Peace Corps, and the first to become a federal employee. All these firsts meant navigating new frontiers without a paved path or guidance from my family.

I hope to pave the way for others to embrace their culture and lean proudly into their strengths, whether in their day-to-day interactions, or in the workplace.

All these experiences solidified my core values of resilience, empathy, and problem-solving – characteristics I share with a lot of my fellow Hispanic colleagues at the EPA. I am happy to work at an agency that empowers me to embrace and connect with my Hispanic heritage at work. At EPA, my background and native language are an asset, and I feel my value and impact as a Hispanic employee every day.

About the Author

Rhina Lara
Digital Media Strategist
Office of Public Affairs

Rhina Lara is a Digital Media Strategist within EPA’s Office of Public Affairs, managing digital media for external communication about key EPA issues, policies and initiatives to increase audience awareness, understanding, and participation. Before joining EPA, she earned her bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Health Disparities from the University of Florida and served in the Peace Corps. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, exercising, and traveling to new places.