Hispanic Heritage Month 2012
"Many Backgrounds, Many Stories ... One American Spirit"
U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria G. Valdez, of the Illinois Northern District Court
in Chicago, advises others who face challenges to keep going even when they don't think they can succeed. Her story is an example of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month theme: "Many Backgrounds, Many Stories ... One American Spirit."
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15.
Watch Judge Valdez's story in this video, which is part of the Pathways to Bench series highlighting federal judges' stories of overcoming obstacles to serve the public.