by Susana Babic, Assoc. AIA, IES, LEED AP, WELL AP
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month wasn’t part of my childhood—in fact, I didn’t even know it existed until I moved to the United States as an adult. But once I learned about it, I realized it wasn’t just a celebration—it was a recognition of people like me. People who carry their language, culture, and identity into a new country, and who continue to hold those roots close while adapting to a new life.
I was raised in a Spanish-speaking country, surrounded by the sounds, colors, and rhythms of my culture. It was in the food we shared at the table, the music playing at family gatherings, the way we spoke with respect to our elders, and the value placed on family above all else. Moving to the U.S. was a huge change—new language, new customs, and often, the feeling of starting from zero. But what didn’t change was who I am and where I come from.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, I reflect on how much of my identity is tied to my heritage. Being Hispanic is not just about language or nationality—it’s about strength, resilience, and pride. It’s about carrying stories from home and sharing them with others, even in a place where those stories may not always be heard.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since coming to the U.S. is that being different is not something to hide—it’s something to honor. My accent, my traditions, my background—they are not obstacles. They are gifts. They remind me of everything I’ve overcome and everything I have to offer. They connect me to millions of others who are building lives here while holding on to the cultures that shaped them.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate that diversity—not just in food and music, but in our experiences. Some of us were born here, some of us immigrated later in life. Some of us are fluent in English, others are learning. Some of us feel fully at home, others are still finding their place. All of us belong.
For me, this month is about pride and gratitude. Pride in my culture, my language, and my story. Gratitude for the sacrifices my family made and the opportunities we now have. And hope for a future where every Hispanic voice is valued and heard.
I am part of “LIGHTINAS” as an example. This is a group of about 45 professionals created to unite women working in the lighting and design field, some of us architects, who have Latina roots, are native Spanish speakers, and are located in the USA, specifically in NJ/NYC.
The intention is to create a space to meet, chat in Spanish, share our experiences as Latinas, celebrate our cultures, support each other, and have a good time together, free from commercial and/or work-related concerns. These gatherings have a very informal feel that invites us to partake comfortably and share personal experiences so that we can then contribute more easily and more powerfully to the design community.
We are more than just a heritage—we are a living part of this country’s future.
Susana Babic, Assoc. AIA, IES, LEED AP, WELL AP
Trustee, AIA Architects League of Northern New Jersey
