La Union del Pueblo Entero staff, members and elected officials will gather from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight in the Mission Events Center to celebrate the legacy of Juanita Valdez-Coxโs leadership in the social justice movement.
Valdez-Cox is LUPEโs former executive director and a South Texas civil rights leader. After more than 45 years of serving LUPE, she officially retired on Dec. 30.
โItโs just … a way of convivir together, engaging with one another to celebrate Juanitaโs leadership in the social justice with La Union del Pueblo Entero,โ said Ramiro Gonzalez, the communications coordinator for LUPE.
LUPE was founded in 1989 by American labor leaders and civil rights activists Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta and was established in the Rio Grande Valley in 2003 by Valdez-Cox. The organization โresponds to the needs of the community, and takes action that creates a chance for a better life,โ according to its website.
The organization expects 600 guests for the event. The program will include presentations by LUPE board members, elected officials and other special guests.
โFor the special guests, I canโt really name them,โ he said. โItโs just, like, a you kinda have to be there type of thing.โ
Actress and comedian Cristela Alonzo, a native of Hidalgo who starred in the ABC sitcom โCristela,โ will be the master of ceremonies for the event.
Gonzalez invites the community to attend the event.
โI mean, this isnโt just for LUPE members,โ he said. โThis isnโt just for the staff. But there is space for the Rio Grande Valley public. โฆ If youโve been a part of LUPE or you have seen LUPE or just want to get to know more about it, this may be the last time you see Juanita Valdez-Cox in the Valley. I donโt know what kind of plans she may have.โ
To RSVP for the event, visit the organizationโs website at lupenet.org.
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo
