Upon moving to New York City in the mid-40s, Dr. Pantoja witnessed a great deal of discrimination against Puerto Ricans. Her first achievement in activism was organizing the laborers in a welding factory that she worked at. She knew that many Hispanics lacked the knowledge and political power to overcome the challenges in the United States, and she believed that education was the key to success. After winning a scholarship from Hunter College in Manhattan and earning her degree in Sociology, Dr. Pantoja founded numerous Hispanic groups including the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs and the National Puerto Rican Forum. In 1961, she founded ASPIRA, a Hispanic organization that focused on promoting a positive self-image, community involvement, and ongoing education as a necessity for every Hispanic. Since its creation, ASPIRA has helped more than 50,000 youths with college and career counseling and financial aid. Some of ASPIRA’s most famous graduates are Jimmy Smits, Fernando Ferrer, and Aida Alvarez.

In 1964, Dr. Pantoja became heavily involved in promoting higher education for Hispanic Youths. In 1967, she served on a mayoral committee board working to strengthen and decentralize the New York City Public School System. In 1972, Pantoja and ASPIRA filed a successful lawsuit in U.S. Federal Court that demanded transitional Spanish be available to struggling Latino students. Additionally, she founded Boricua College, and the Puerto Rican Research and Resources Center. She later earned her doctorate from the University of Ohio and later joined the staff at San Diego State University.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton honored Dr. Pantoja with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2002, after a long bout with cancer, Dr. Pantoja passed away. Her memoirs were published shortly before her death to insure that her life, strength, and commitment to education will live on.