The Hispanic community in the U.S. has long remained silent about its needs for equal opportunity and recognition. This collection of essays by recognized scholars explores how Puerto Ricans, Chicanos, Cubans, and other Latinos have begun to publicly articulate their needs, rights, and aspirations. The volume is divided into three major thematic sections: demographic profiles; immigration assimilation, and cultural identity; and socio-economic profiles. The authors address such questions as: Who are the Hispanics and what are their origins? What impact will Hispanic population growth have on U.S. society? What demographic factors affect the status of Hispanics? How does Hispanic immigration differ from other prior immigration? The essays gather the most recent demographic and socioeconomic data on Hispanics and interpret their implications for the present and future of the community.

This volume represents more than just a collection of chapters and bibliographic sources. For us, it provides another example of collective solidarity, hard work, and a relentless commitment to contribute to the process of advancing and transforming knowledge about women's condition. It attempts to update and assess how scholarship on women has impacted different disciplines and fields and examines the multivariate conditions and responses to immediate and long-term realities generated by women from different LatinAmerican and Caribbean countries. The editors hope that this publication, modest as it may be, will be a useful tool to other researchers, educators, and students in their efforts at pursuing and expanding the knowledge and visions that will make our different societies more just and liberating for all their citizens.