In 1997 she had the leading role for the movie Selena, and was the first Latina actress to earn over $1 million for a role in the film Selena. Then in 1999 she debuted in the music industry with her studio album, On the 6.
Jennifer Lopez has done a lot of charity work and has supported many including, Every Mother Counts, ALAS, and City of Hope. She even launched a website with Amnesty International, to raise awareness for Mexican femicide.
In her early career she was an actress but many of her movies like, Gigli, weren't the best. She was well known for her roles in the movies Selena, Anaconda and also Out of Sight.
Jennifer Lopez and her now ex-husband, Marc Anthony had made a tv show called Q'Viva! The Chosen. After 15 months of having her two kids she returned back to work on American Idol.
I think that Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States because people want to remember their roots of their culture and where their family came from.