“My father was a pilot, and my mother a college professor who came to the US and raised a family of 6 children. In doing so, they instilled cultural values and ensured all their children were bilingual, multicultural, educated, and well-traveled,” said Rita Aracelly Moana Tuialu’ulu’u. “I take great pride in being Latina, specifically one of Costa Rican and Cuban heritage raised in California, Hawai’i, and Florida.”
Tuialu’ulu’u works within the SFPUC’s Power Enterprise. Her roles vary and consist of being the Assistant to the Deputy Manager of Programs & Planning, DPL, and Racial Equity Specialist. She not only takes great pride in helping to advance racial equity in the City and County of San Francisco but also in her family. “I am most proud of my parent’s dedication and perseverance, like many others, to ensure their children retained that cultural identity no matter where we find ourselves in the world,” Tuialu’ulu’u said.
September 15 to October 15 is a time to celebrate and uplift the stories of many talented and hard-working Latinos across the country who contribute to the success of their communities. Tuialu’ulu’u mentions that for her, it’s a time to celebrate one another and revel in the beauty of the various Latino nations. She also expresses the importance of what Latinos bring to the US. “This is a time to reflect on the importance of what we as Latinos have contributed to the fabric of the United States and its impact on future generations,” Tuialu’ulu’u explained.
Tuialu’ulu’u carries a sense of pride for her community, and it shows in her work. She explains that “although Latino culture spans many countries, languages, and races, the commonalities that unite the Latino community are far greater than anything that might be considered divisive. Latinos in the US come from a varied spectrum of circumstances as to why they left their home countries. Having pride in being Latino, however, doesn’t make anyone less patriotic as it pertains to the US,” she explained.
“I think this is an important reminder to all that there is always enough space in our hearts to love more than one person, have more than one passion, and certainly belong to more than one country, which ultimately is what this month is all about. Our unity is our strength.”