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The Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs is pleased to announce the names of five remarkable Iowans who will be inducted into the 2019 Iowa Latino Hall of Fame, receive the Latinx Youth Leadership Award, and the Robert D. Ray Award for Equity and Justice.
The Iowa Latino Hall of Fame was established to honor and recognize outstanding leaders in the Latino community.
The 2019 Latino Hall of Fame honorees are:
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Hector Avalos, PhD – Ames, IA (from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico)Founder and inaugural director of the first US Latino/a Studies program at Iowa State University; internationally recognized and respected scholar in the area of biblical studies.
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Carlos Portes (posthumous) – Marshalltown, IA (from Havana, Cuba)Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award for his contributions in this country; served as Special Ambassador for Latin American Affairs; numerous other achievements.
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Lando X. Valadez (posthumous) – Des Moines, IA (Mexican heritage)Latino migrant worker who became a community leader, political activist, advocate for Latinos, court interpreter, historian, mentor; founder of a number of Latino and Hispanic based organizations; World War II hero; recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star Medal.
The Latinx Youth Leadership Award recipient is:
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Lilián Sánchez – Des Moines, IA (from Mexico)First generation college student; first Latina Vice President of the University of Iowa Student Government; advocate of diversity issues; fellow at Amnesty International.
The Robert D. Ray Award for Equity and Justice recipient is:
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Jan Mitchell – Des Moines, IA Teacher who paved a path for lifelong success in her students; founder of Al Exito, a program whose mission is empower Latinos for success through education, leadership, and community engagement.
Event Information
The Iowa Latino Hall of Fame is held around National Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, which celebrates and honors the contributions made by Latinos and Hispanics in the United States.
What: Iowa Latino Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
When: Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Where: Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
The venue for the 2019 Iowa Latino Hall of Fame is a change in location from previous years.
A reception will immediately follow the ceremony, sponsored by the Friends of the Iowa Commission and Office of Latino Affairs. The ceremony and reception are free and open to the public. No need to register.
Note to editors: Media are welcome and encouraged to attend the event. A separate press release will be issued closer to the event and will include pictures and biographies. For more information about the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame, please click here.
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