Junior Vivica Martinez states that one of the most significant moments in a Latina girl’s life is when they turn 15. This age is thought to mark the transition from girlhood to womanhood and is often celebrated through a quinceañera — which is Spanish for “fifteen years” — in Latin American countries and in Latinx families in the United States. The large event unites the family and friends of the birthday girl to celebrate the start of a new chapter in her life. Read here to learn about planning the party, carrying out quinceañera traditions and ensuring authenticity.