The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center celebrates Hispanic Heritage month
By: Natashia Cooper
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted a panel discussion on September 22 in recognition of Hispanic Heritage month, featuring successful Latina women in leadership positions. The panelists included Dallas County Sheriff, Lupe Valdez; Councilwoman and Dallas Mayor Pro Tem, Monica Alonzo; Dallas County Commissioner, Dr. Elba Garcia; and Dallas City Secretary, Rosa A. Rios.
Michael Lugo, MLK Advisory Board member, opened the event with a welcome and Dallas City Councilwoman Tiffinni Young brought greetings from District 7. Alesha Whibbey served as moderator. The panelists discussed what it takes to be successful and challenges they face as women in leadership positions.
Mónica R. Alonzo is the first Hispanic woman elected to represent on the Dallas City Council for District 4 and also leads as Mayor Pro Tem. Councilwoman Alonzo is currently serving her third term and has worked in public service since she was a teenager. She believes in opening doors for other women and that leaders should work on bringing other women to the table.
“We need to tell women it is possible and they can do it too. Once we are here we need to encourage more to come,” she states.
Dr. Elba Garcia serves as Dallas County Commissioner for District 4, the first Latina ever elected to serve on the Dallas County Commissioners Court. Commissioner Garcia has a Doctorate in Odontology and a Doctorate in Dental Service and works as a dentist with her own private practice. She believes that more women should go into dentistry, a male-dominated field, and wants women to know that they are just as capable as men.
“Gender doesn’t matter. It’s qualifications. Its education. It’s perseverance.”
Rosa A. Rios is the first Hispanic woman to serve as Dallas City Secretary and has held leadership positions in local government for more than 20 years. Rios believes we should be helpful to young women and encourage them to become leaders in their professions.
“There are a lot of shy women who stay behind the scenes. We need to gently push them forward and teach them,” Rios states.
Sheriff Lupe Valdez is the highest ranking law enforcement officer in Dallas county and the only Hispanic female sheriff in the United States. Sheriff Valdez is one of only four female sheriffs in Texas and has 40 years of law enforcement experience. Sheriff Valdez wants to change policies that discriminate against women and believes we should be more inclusive of women in law enforcement.
“It brings a better balance to the whole system. It brings a better balance for community. It brings a better balance, for even, tolerance.”
The panelists stressed the importance of women getting an education and having confidence to get ahead.
National Hispanic Heritage month runs from September 15 to October 15.
