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Today marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month<\/a> in the U.S. held September 15 to October 15<\/strong>. There has never been a more important time to celebrate the rich cultures, history and contributions of American citizens whose family came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean and Central and South America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Storytelling is about connecting to other people, putting ideas out there into the world. I recently collaborated with poet Margarita Engle<\/strong> on a book called Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics. <\/strong>This past week our publisher Holt & Company<\/strong>, let us know the book was honored with the Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators<\/strong> New York Original Art<\/em> show. Hoping this recognition will inspire and introduce young readers and others to the legacy of amazing Latinos, many who are not mentioned in history books.There are so many powerful stories<\/a> out there waiting to be told so let’s get the conversation started…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n AIDA DE ACOSTA <\/strong>[1884-1962]\u00a0was born in New Jersey, her mother Spanish and her dad a Cuban shipping executive. She was the first woman to fly a powered aircraft solo. Traveling with her mother in Paris she was fascinated from the first moment she saw dirigibles. In 1903, Aida was just 19 years old, when a Brazilian aviator friend took her for a ride by flying his dirigible downtown and parking it on the street for dinner at a favorite restaurant. After just three flight lessons she took the air, nearly six months before the Wright brothers<\/em> flew in their heavier than air powered aircraft.<\/p>\nAIDA DE ACOSTA<\/h3>\n