Southwest Airlines has always believed in recognizing People. Whether it is the talented Employees who make our Company a success, or the Customers we fly from place to place, we enjoy the opportunity to celebrate them and recognize their unique talents, backgrounds, and cultures. That is why when months like Hispanic Heritage Month come around; we are excited to celebrate the many wonderful contributions the Hispanic community brings to the world, and to highlight the Hispanic-focused community organizations Southwest supports all throughout the year.

At Southwest Airlines, we believe in partnering with nonprofit community organizations that are as diverse as the communities we serve. Even within the Latino community, we support a variety of organizations that range from education and youth leadership, to economic development and civic engagement. We believe in connecting People to what is important in their lives and our community partnerships help us to connect the People in the communities we serve to what matters most to them.

One of the organizations Southwest supports in the San Diego community is a mentorship organization that aims to inspire Latinas to graduate high school and pursue higher education. “The Hermanitas Youth Leadership Mentor program offers yearlong mentoring relationships to Latinas in grades 7 through 12,” said Catherine Arambula, President of MANA de San Diego, in a recent Spirit Magazine Article. “Since Hermanitas began in 1987, we have served more than 700 girls in the greater San Diego area. At MANA de San Diego, 100 percent of the student participants in our Hermanitas Youth Leadership Mentor program have gone to college since 2006. Without invaluable community partners, our work to promote leadership and education among Latina students would not be possible. So I’m thankful for companies like Southwest Airlines, one of our top corporate sponsors, which allow us to continue to make the Hermanitas Youth Leadership Mentor program an annual success.”

Southwest is also proud to support national community organizations that serve the Hispanic community including the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), of which we serve as the Official Airline sponsor of the NALEO Educational Fund. This summer we also served as the presenting sponsor of NALEO’s 31st Annual Conference, held in San Diego. This conference provides a venue for the meaningful exchange of ideas and solutions to today’s most pressing policy issues. Our support of this impactful organization allows us to help further develop Latino leaders throughout the country and make a positive difference in the Hispanic community.

In addition to our community outreach, Southwest is committed to celebrating Hispanic Heritage among our talented Employees. We encourage our Employees to celebrate the unique talents of their peers and take pride in the culture and backgrounds that make them each one-of-a-kind. Southwest has a unique Culture based on respect – recognizing the value of all our Employees, the importance of our communities and dedicated service to our Customers. Our People are our greatest asset, and it is our goal to support our Employees and our Customers who come from all walks of life.

In 2013, our Diversity and Inclusion Department continued the development of a more robust diversity and inclusion education and outreach program through the realignment of the Diversity Council and the Diversity Summit, internal and external communication, Leadership accountability and supplier diversity. At Southwest, we believe the strength of our differences fosters innovation and has contributed to our recognition as one of the world’s most admired companies and the most consistently profitable airline in the history of the U.S. airline industry.

During cultural celebration months like Hispanic Heritage Month, we encourage our Employees to celebrate their own heritage as well as the heritage of their peers, recognizing that their individual strengths are what make up the overall success of our workforce.

With new service to Cancun and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico that began this summer, as well as Mexico City, Mexico which begins November 2; we are excited to further extend our reach to the Hispanic community.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, Celebremos Tu Herencia!