Besides her extensive career, Salma has done so much to give back, having a large impact in both America and her home country, Mexico. She has celebrated her Mexican heritage in many ways throughout her career. She produced "Frida" as a tribute to Frida Kahlo, a legendary Mexican painter (AceShowBiz). She also has starred in many other American films that have celebrated Mexican culture. She blazed a path for Latin actresses in Hollywood, by showing that they could excel in roles beyond just those of strippers and mistress maids (Biography). She is thought to be the first Mexican actress to become a Hollywood movie star since Dolores Del Rio (AceShowBiz).

 

She has also taken up a large role in fighting against discrimination against immigrants, especially those from Mexico, where she has a personal connection. She has publicly opposed bills proposed by the House of Representatives that would make illegal immigrants felons in the

United States saying, “As a human being, I find this situation intolerable. As an immigrant, I find it offensive. And as an American citizen, I find it disheartening” (Salma People).

 

Salma supports a huge range of organizations and charities. She even created her own charity, the Salma Hayek Foundation. This organization gives aid to aid raises awareness about domestic violence. It has branched out to work with “disadvantaged children on the streets of Mexico, helping them to overcome problems such as drugs, violence or lack of education” (Salma Charity). Ever since the birth of her daughter, she has been very active in many organizations that support children. She is the spokesperson form Pampers 1 Pack=1 Vaccine campaign to provide tetanus vaccines to pregnant women in less fortunate countries (Salma).

 

JUST A FEW OF THE CHARITIES SALMA SUPPORTS:

• 10x10 American Foundation for AIDS Research 

• CHIME FOR CHANGE

• Global Green Legacy of Hope Foundation

• Peace Over Violence

• Raising Malawi Room to Grow

• Solar Neighbors Program

• Speak Out Against Domestic Violence

• Stand Up To Cancer

• The Art of Elysium UNICEF V-Day (Salma Charity).