Wafric News – June 23, 2025

Twenty-five years ago, a bold little girl with a bob haircut and a purple backpack set out on an animated journey that would forever change children’s television. Her name? Dora the Explorer. Today, she stands as not just a beloved cartoon character, but a cultural icon and symbol of inclusive education and representation.

“Hola, soy Dora! ¿Cómo te llamas?” she asked viewers in a friendly mix of English and Spanish — a groundbreaking moment for bilingual media and for Latin visibility in mainstream American programming.

Dora, the first Latina to headline a major U.S. cartoon series, didn’t just go on adventures; she opened doors. According to Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Dora taught more than just numbers and colors. “She showed the world that Latinos can be educators on screen — helping children learn through our language and our culture, all while keeping it fun.”

As Nickelodeon marks Dora’s 25th anniversary, fans can expect a packed celebration: a new live-action movie Dora and the Search of Sol Dorado, the third season of the rebooted animated series, a kid-friendly podcast titled Dora’s Mermaid Adventures, a fresh music album, and a relaunch of Dora-themed merchandise.

Kathleen Herles, who voiced the original Dora from ages 7 to 18, says the character shaped her life. “It’s been the greatest adventure of my life — no pun intended,” said Herles, a New York native with Peruvian roots. Now, she voices Dora’s mother in the reboot, completing a heartfelt full-circle journey.

Herles recalls moments at fan conventions where children would tear up upon hearing her voice — not out of fear, but because of the deep connection they had with Dora’s adventures. “That voice brings back a memory, a safe moment. It’s powerful.”

And Dora’s impact has multiplied. From Go, Diego, Go! to Dora and Friends: Into the City!, and the 2019 Hollywood adaptation Dora and the Lost City of Gold, she’s grown into what co-creator Chris Gifford calls the “Dora-verse.”

“She’s aged, she’s been modernized, she’s even had a hair clip,” Gifford chuckled. “But her spirit — that unstoppable belief in problem-solving and teamwork — never left.”

When Gifford and co-creator Valerie Walsh Valdes first envisioned Dora, they wanted to empower children, especially preschoolers, who often feel small in a big world. “They can’t tie their shoes yet,” Gifford said, “but they can help Dora cross the river or find the red apple. That matters.”

Nickelodeon initially suggested the character be Latina — a suggestion the creators embraced wholeheartedly. Rather than tether her to one nationality, they made Dora pan-Latina, so kids from all across Latin America could see themselves in her.

At a time when Latino characters still remain underrepresented — comprising less than 10% of leads on screen, despite Latinos making up nearly 20% of the U.S. population — Dora continues to stand out. “We don’t see many brown-skinned Latina girls leading global media franchises,” said Dr. Erynn Masi de Casanova, a sociology expert at the University of Cincinnati. “Dora’s existence counters that trend.”

Dora’s lessons aren’t bound by borders. Her adventures have been translated into 32 languages and broadcast in over 150 countries. She teaches English in Spanish-speaking regions, and Spanish in English-speaking ones — a small but mighty ambassador for cultural exchange.

In the upcoming live-action film, 18-year-old Cuban-American actress Samantha Lorraine dons the iconic purple backpack, a role she feels destined for. “I’ve basically been auditioning since I was a kid,” she joked. “To wear those shoes — or boots — is to carry a legacy. It’s more than a role. It’s representation.”

From TikTok tributes to parade balloons, Dora’s influence is deeply woven into pop culture. References pop up in Inside Out 2 and even subtle nods in shows like Alma’s Way. Her original Backpack Song remains a viral favorite. Yet, her deeper message remains unchanged.

“She taught us that learning someone else’s language or traditions isn’t threatening — it’s enlightening,” Castillo said. “If the world embraced more of that, we’d be in a much better place.”

At 25, Dora is no longer just a cartoon character. She’s a pioneer, a role model, a teacher — and she’s still asking, “Will you help me?”

And like always, we’re still saying: “¡Sí, podemos!”

By WafricNews Desk.