National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the U.S. is a time for unity and appreciation of the diverse contributions and cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latino Americans. By acknowledging achievements and values, this celebration reinforces the idea that diversity strengthens the nation and fosters a more inclusive society. This month Red Cross LA celebrates the contributions of four local Latinos.

By Anel Laj/American Red Cross

At first glance you might not notice it, but she tap-tap-taps the pin on her blouse and says, “I love wearing it…” 

It’s an emblem of response and recovery, a sign representing help is on its way, a signal mobilizing thousands of volunteers “turning compassion into action”. For Regional Disaster Officer of Los Angeles, Erica Frausto-Aguado, it’s more than just a pin. It represents a mission, and she is one of the leaders who sits at the helm, responding to families and individuals in crisis and providing relief efforts for those in need.

Today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which kicked off Friday, September 15, we celebrate leaders like Frausto-Aguado and highlight her contributions to the community. This year’s theme: Todos Somos, Somos Uno. We Are All, We Are One celebrates the strength of Latinos being a united community as well as a driving force for power, prosperity, and progress.

“I would say my background has a lot to do with where my career has taken me,” said Frausto-Aguado. “I was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, born in the city of El Monte where it’s predominantly low income, Hispanic, Latino, and I see the importance of having representation and having diversity in all levels of leadership. I love working for a humanitarian organization.

Frausto-Aguado credits her family and upbringing for her strong character and work ethic. The youngest of eight, Frausto-Aguado took note of how hard a family needed to work in order to succeed. Values instilled in her by mom, dad, and older brother Salvador fueled her efforts to tackle obstacles, get ahead in life, use her voice, and make a difference. Frausto-Aguado noted that while she got advice growing up, she learned the most from her parents’ actions and modeling their perseverance, strong job integrity, and persistent determination.

Early in her career, Frausto-Aguado worked as an advocate for the economic development of minority-owned small businesses in Pomona. She came to the American Red Cross as the San Gabriel and Pomona Valley Executive Director, with a unique set of skills and leadership experiences that allowed her to provide a different perspective to managing emergency responses and recovery efforts.

“I like to see the bigger picture,” said Frausto-Aguado. “I like to see how everything’s connected, how you collaborate to make everything connect, and this gave me the opportunity to see the big picture. Disaster Cycle Services is such an important program and function of the Red Cross. I think that you can really touch the mission … there’s so many aspects of it that I enjoy, especially having a team.”

The American Red Cross responds to over 60,000 disasters a year, and Frausto-Aguado mobilizes efforts to help those in need get back on their feet and move toward their new future. Disaster services is everyday work, from taking proactive steps to prepare for emergencies to deploying volunteers in response to hurricanes or fires. Heading into her next couple of years Frausto-Aguado hopes to build volunteer leadership and empower volunteers within Disaster Cycle Services. As a leader, Frausto-Aguado feels it’s important to be as inclusive as possible and learn from past experiences. If there is a need to be filled, she is there, no job too small. Whether it's being on the ground, helping to clean a shelter, installing fire alarms, taking care of her team, or coordinating a massive response effort, everything she does comes from the heart.

“At the end of the day, yes, I am a career woman, my most important job is being a mom. I have two kids. That makes me strong too. I could say being a mother also makes me more resilient.”

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.