1. Famous Firsts by Hispanic Americans

2. Antonia Coello Novello - Government
physician and former U.S. surgeon general Born: 8/23/1944 Birthplace: Fajardo, Puerto Rico Novello served as surgeon general under President George H. W. Bush from 1990 to She focused on publicizing the dangers of smoking and teenage drinking, expanding AIDS education, and improving health care for women, minorities, and children.
Novello was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico with a chronic colon condition that caused her severe pain until it was corrected surgically when she was 18 years old. The experience inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. She earned a BS (1965) and an MD from the University of Puerto Rico (1970). Novello and her husband, Joseph Novello, a U.S. Army flight surgeon, moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. She interned, did her residency, and completed a fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical Center.
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3. Richard E. Cavazos - Military
(born January 31, 1929), a Korean War recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross as a first lieutenant, who advanced in rank to become the United States Army’s first Mexican American four-star general. During the Vietnam War, as a lieutenant colonel, Cavazos was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross. In 1976, Cavazos became the first Mexican American to reach the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army.[Cavazos served with great distinction for thirty-three years, with his final command as head of the U.S. Army Forces Command.

4. Ellen Ochoa - Science
Astronaut Born: 5/10/1958 Birthplace: Los Angeles, California Astronaut Ellen Ochoa first left Earth in July 1991 and became the world's first Hispanic female astronaut. A mission specialist and flight engineer, she has since logged more than 900 hours in space on four flights, the last in Dr. Ochoa's many awards include NASA's Exceptional Service Medal (1997) and Outstanding Leadership Medal (1995). Besides being an astronaut, researcher, and engineer, Ochoa is a classical flutist.
Read more: Ellen Ochoa | Infoplease.com

5. Rita Moreno - Film
(Rosita Dolores Alverio) actress, dancer, singer Born: 12/11/1931 Birthplace: Humacao, Puerto Rico Moreno first appeared in film at the age of fourteen, in A Medal for Benny (1945). She played in several movies (notably The King and I in 1956) until her role as Anita in West Side Story (1961) brought her fame and an Oscar as best supporting actress. Her work in television included appearances on The Muppet Show and The Rockford Files. Moreno was the first actress to bag an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony. More recently, she appeared in Blue Moon (2000) and in John Sayles' Casa de los Babys (2003).
Read more: Rita Moreno | Infoplease.com