El Grito

Celebrating Heritage, Legacy, and Achievement

This September, the Irene C. Hernandez Foundation, along with the Hernandez family, celebrated Mexican Independence Day at Irene C. Hernandez Middle School—a joyous event honoring our community’s vibrant heritage and two meaningful milestones. Together, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Irene C. Hernandez’s historic swearing-in as Cook County Commissioner and 15 years of educational success at the middle school named in her honor.

The celebration was brought to life with beautiful musical and dance performances, adding energy and color to the day and reflecting the spirit of the community Irene so passionately served. We thank the students, families, and supporters who joined us in paying tribute to Irene’s remarkable legacy and look forward to continuing her vision of opportunity, advocacy, and pride.