SAN ANTONIO – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) paid tribute on Friday to three Latino leaders who have dedicated their careers to sharing the culture of and protecting the rights of the Latino community.
“MALDEF was founded in San Antonio and has worked throughout its 56-year organizational history on the ongoing struggle for full recognition of Latino rights in the state of Texas,” said MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz. “We continue to be inspired by our honorees and so many other collaborators as we today confront a particularly obstinate Texas, with leaders who target and demean the growing Latino community, rather than embracing and partnering with it.”
Honorees who received a Lifetime Achievement- Excellence in Community Service Award include:
Andrew Hernandez, Community Development Manager for Methodist Health Care Ministries (MHM), was honored for his long commitment to the well-being of the Latino community in Texas and across the United States. Based in San Antonio, MHM is non-profit, faith-based organization that provides health services to the working poor in 74 Texas counties. Before joining MHM in 2013, Hernandez served in leadership positions in organizations such as The Wesley Center for Family and Neighborhood Development in Austin. Hernandez also served as President of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project in San Antonio. He is the recipient of many awards including the 1990 National Council of La Raza’s Hero Award and the 1994 Willie C. Velasquez Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Receiving this recognition from MALDEF means much to me,” Hernandez said. “For it has been one of my life's blessings to have worked alongside of and with MALDEF in the struggle for social justice and equality.”
Juanita Valdez Cox, former Executive Director of La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), was celebrated for a career that started as a migrant farmworker and culminated with her as the leader of an organization that serves 8,000-members throughout Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. In 1979, Valdez Cox began work as a community organizer for ACORN, and in 1989 she used her experience to begin a career assisting farmworkers and other low-income families as a community organizer for the United Farm Workers (UFW). Eventually, she became the State Director for UFW. During her time at UFW, Valdez Cox was instrumental in the passage of laws benefitting farmworkers, such as the requirement for clean toilets and drinking water in the fields. She also helped to establish workers’ compensation and unemployment benefits for farmworkers. In the early 2000s, she convinced the UFW Board of Directors to re-activate LUPE, a nonprofit established by Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta dedicated to fundamental social change. Valdez Cox served as Executive Director of LUPE from 2007 to 2022.
“Throughout my career with the United Farm Workers, and then with LUPE, our members were engaged in fighting discriminatory laws and policies created by the government to protect the privileged and deny the rights of our communities,” Valdez Cox said. “We needed MALDEF attorneys who were ready to fight back and help defeat these bad laws. As the former Executive Director of LUPE and on behalf of the communities we represented, we thank MALDEF for their dedication to defending the community and to fighting injustice.”
Cassandro El Exotico, the renowned professional Mexican wrestler, was recognized for his contribution to the Latino and LGBTQ+ struggle for civil rights. Born Saul Armendariz, in El Paso, Texas, Cassandro is a Mexican luchador who became a champion exótico (a wrestler who wears drag) and trailblazing queer icon. He was one of the first openly gay luchadors and in 1992 became the first exótico to win a Universal Wrestling Association world championship. Initially, exóticos were used as effeminate, comedic foils for the sport’s heroes and villains who always won the matches; they were mocked and taunted, often with homophobic slurs. But Cassandro’s strength and charisma led to victories and popularity with fans who embraced his flamboyant character and style. Cassandro has been the subject of a well-received documentary, and last year, his life story was told in Cassandro, a major motion picture starring Mexican actor Gael García Bernal. At times in his life, Cassandro dealt with substance abuse. In 2021, he suffered a debilitating stroke. Today, although he struggles to speak and move, it has not stopped him from advocating for people who suffer from aphasia and substance abuse issues.
“I have lived my life as I chose to and broke barriers along the way,” said Cassandro. “This honor from MALDEF means so much because it recognizes the struggles and the brilliance of my career. I am very grateful to be honored by an organization that breaks barriers on behalf of Latinos and everyone.”
The event was emceed by KENS 5 evening news anchor Isis Romero.
MALDEF recognizes the significant contributions of these outstanding leaders and their dedication to advancing civil rights for all. The event draws notable government and community leaders from around the nation.