In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month WISE SF Bay Area celebrated these trailblazers who have made their mark in sports and beyond.
Sofia Huerta — From being the first female to represent both Mexico and the United States at the international level to shining in the NWSL with Seattle Reign FC, Sofia’s journey is one of pride and passion. Born to a father from Puebla, Mexico, and raised in the U.S., she embodies the spirit of determination and cultural pride that inspires the next generation of athletes. Sofia holds ties to the Bay Area from her time playing college soccer at Santa Clara University.
Erika Ruiz — Erika has been breaking barriers and building bridges on the basketball court and in the business world. After playing collegiate basketball at St. Mary’s of California and Cal State Long Beach, she went on to earn her master’s at USC. She then made history as the first Latina sports agent in the NBA — paving the way for more diverse voices in sports leadership.
Jessica Mendoza — Olympic gold medalist, broadcaster, and role model for women in sports, Jessica has shattered glass ceilings. From dominating the diamond with Team USA Softball and setting countless NCAA records during her time at Stanford University to becoming one of the first women MLB analysts, she continues to inspire future generations of Latinas in sports.
We are proud to honor their stories and all those who continue to make history through heritage and excellence.