This grass roots publication is the life source for a community that is not easily afforded viable access to diverse and accessible media. San Antonio and the surrounding counties have become accustomed to relevant news brought to them in both English and Spanish since 1913.
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2025 La Prensa Texas Gala
Wednesday, During National
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 24, 2025
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
DoubleTree By Hilton
611 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78216
By Yvette Tello
The Diez y Seis parade is one of San Antonio’s oldest traditions. It marks September 16, 1810, when Mexico began its fight for independence from Spain. But here in Texas, it has always been more than a history lesson. It’s a celebration of our heritage, roots, and culture—a way for families to come together, honor traditions, and show pride in who we are. This year, though, the parade felt different. Streets that are normally full of families, neighbors, and children waving flags were much quieter. Several groups told me they kept children from participating out of fear of an ICE raid. The yards that usually fill with people cheering were empty. Earlier this week, I received an email asking if I was concerned about attending events like this. I thought the question was silly. But today, seeing the thin turnout, I realized it wasn’t silly at all. One story I heard captured that fear perfectly: a man at H-E-B panicked when he saw a sign that said “ice.” It wasn’t immigration enforcement—it was just a reminder not to forget the ice for your drinks. Yet in these times, that one word was enough to trigger fear and anxiety. It broke my heart to think that wearing a Mexican flag or traditional attire at today’s parade wasn’t just about celebration—it was an act of bravery. Our parades and cultural celebrations are about honoring our history and roots. No one should feel unsafe for embracing their heritage.Have you or your family felt the same fear? Do you think it’s changing the way our community celebrates traditions like Diez y Seis? Let’s talk about it…
Michael Momo Chazz Martinez: “No fear whatsoever”
Anastacia Lopez: “Yes it's always in the back of my mind. Today we're all living in an unstable world. This president has no heart.”
Hector Cantu: "I was there. It was nice. No fear at all , I in my heart felt that they wouldn’t show up . The west side is a strong community with lots of love and pride and rightfully so. I felt the parade was very nice and only heard good things , keep it positive , see you next year viva la raza …….
Mitanni: “Yes, and a high amount of women being sexually assaulted by people who are pretending to be ICE”
Lucero Luna: “Parades should not be cancelled. There's no difference between parades & festivals or MARCHES and Protests, Rallies or VIGILS”
Shelly Forwerck Spiers: “With all due respect, If we don’t have secure borders, then we are not a sovereign country. I understand the fact that we want to help as many people from other countries as much as we can, but the truth is, we cannot help
them all. In fact, the best way we could help them is by helping them in their own countries. That is why we send millions of dollars to other countries all over the world. It’s simply not sustainable to let every person into our country that wants to be here as it is a huge drain on our resources. And what about the people who come in the right way? We legally allow in over 1 million people a year. Allowing people who came here illegally to stay, is a slap in the face to the ones who did it the right way. It also prevents us from helping born and raised Americans who also need access to the same resources. There are no easy solutions to this complex problem, but simply allowing people to stay in our country when they came here illegally is just wrong.”
Dawn Poulterer Woods
It is complex. And yet simple in some ways. And very sad that MANY people who do zero harm, have been here for 30 years, and are legal have faced horrible treatment. That is going on. I know first hand. What is also ironic is that we do nothing about gun control and we have children being gunned down regularly. White Americans. We are hardly moved by that. And yet New Zealand and Australia had a few shootings like this and took serious action; the studies make it clear that it can curb violent shootings. No one ever talks about that but it’s happening regularly. No one talked about it happening the same day Kirk was shot. Two devastation events by guns. But if that happened to someone I loved it would be a primary mission in my life. It’s helpful with immigration concerns to talk to people who are actually working in real time with legal immigrants. No one is arguing for a better system for immigration reform. No one is arguing that criminals should be arrested (including white Americans who are also equally a problem). But a sweeping movement to target people who are doing no harm, working hard to send their kids to school, working jobs most American parents don’t want their kids to ever do, siblings who are here alone working and going to school because their parents are stuck in a dangerous country, and people who are kind, abiding citizens —I have a different definition for “dangerous people.” Likewise, I’ve never, in all these years, not had the resources I need to live a full life. And in my circle, I know one who is struggling with a lack of resources. If anything, we could be less wasteful and entitled. We have no idea what it means to have a lack of resources. I wish you knew someone who was taken out of their home or their car, someone you love, because it would help. I cannot imagine what Jesus would do if here were in Chicago. He always fought for the poor and marginalized. His Kingdom is so appealing to me because of this. And because I am the one who needs help from him every single day.”
Bradley Striplin: “At this point, Dawn Poulterer Woods, the current administration (ICE) have no appetite for someone you described in a previous post. They are in quick and dirty mode with no complexities. An illegal immigrant who has committed a crime while in the United States, and/ or already has been issued a deportation order by a judge, are the only targets.I’m sensitive to illegals who are peaceful, family oriented humans, but the
previous administration allowed this flood, now it’s time for damage control.”
MarkandLuciana Poulterer: “The "right way" comments are ignorant. By ignorant I don't mean stupid, I mean uninformed, and disconnected. People who make these comments haven't met any of the people who have waited at the border for months (slept on the streets with their children), worn ankle monitors for YEARS, shown up for their court cases, spent thousands of dollars on lawyers because their lives were in danger in their home countries, and are now being deported. They believe what they hear on the news. (Whatever news they choose to listen to.) But this comment won't make them any more convinced. All I can say is I know these people. I teach their kids. (I've even purchased a house to provide a place to live for a family after they lost everything in an apartment fire). I've watched the deportations. These are your people who have done it "the right way" while still being deported. Not a single case. Numerous. And those are only from the few families I know.’
Douglas Petersen: “ I have some questions : Were “we” soulless people when Obama (Gw/Clinton) deported “good and kind People” in the same manner (notice only one mask in video)? Can someone tell me with truth, that the person who was arrested in the video was such a person? Why is arresting an illegal person in this manner void of human dignity when arresting a citizen in this manner is not void of human dignity. Why is it acceptable to separate a mother and a child who are citizens and commit crimes in the United States, But when it comes to a non-citizen, when we arrest them, it is “void of human dignity”. Why is it that if we were in their country, they would arrest us if they might arrest us in the same manner. And it would not be void of human dignity.Having spent years overseas in Africa Afghanistan etc in humanitarian work you can’t claim I am either ignorant of human suffering nor that I sympathize with human suffering.But like any uninvited guest in your home, there are rules, laws, and we all need to abide by these laws for a cohesive society to exist. And to tell me that a military aged man who committed a crime or crimes in the United States and violated from the very beginning these rules and laws that somehow we are the Soulless is a bit much.I see a society that continues to be very generous and loving towards others. I know churches who sacrifice time and resources for the less fortunate overseas. I know families who have dedicated their entire lives to people overseas, there are people in the United States financially supporting them. I personally send money overseas to families in Afghanistan, who are suffering and many children who need food and education. But it does not buttress my authority on the subject at hand nor does your brother's hard work. Code Federal regulation 8 USC 1325 criminalizes improper entry to the UnitedStates by aliens. This law was codified during the tenure of Harry Truman, a democrat. And it has been used by every president since.It is a right and just law.”
Monica Estrada-Saldana is a Mexican American photographer and artist from San Antonio, Texas, whose lineage in the region extends back centuries. She began photographing life at the age of 8, discovering in high school a passion for storytelling through both photography and writing— learning to convey what words often cannot. Her early career as a makeup artist on film sets, television, and print connected her with influential photographers and artists from around the country, shaping her aesthetic and technical understanding of artmaking.
Nine years ago, Monica set aside makeup artistry to become a full-time artist and photographer, based in San Antonio. Her work
examines identity, home, and the complex interplay of femininity and strength within her own experiences as a Tejana and Chicana. She finds inspiration in everyday aspects of life—the food we eat, errands we run, and daily routines—revealing the beauty and magic in what might seem ordinary. Her photographs offer a soft, romantic point of view, inviting the viewer to see the world through her eyes.
Monica’s art centers the people and places of her own neighborhood, deliberately representing her world and the resilient, magical women she grew up with. She has become more intentional in her focus, reflecting personal and communal narratives, and seeking perspectives that counter mainstream
representations. Her documentary photography has garnered recognition, including publication on Vogue Italia’s online platform and a feature in Yes Maam zine’s awardwinning “The Dream” issue. Monica’s work has been exhibited in galleries and exhibitions across Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and South Texas.
A self-taught artist with a keen eye for both softness and strength, Monica EstradaSaldana’s practice is rooted in the everyday, celebrating the extraordinary impact of daily life and the enduring spirit of her community. *You can see Monica’s beautiful photographs this month at the Centro Cultural Aztlan.
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the accomplishments of Latino leaders who have paved the way for future generations. Among them stands Anthony Muñoz, widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive
linemen in NFL history and a proud Mexican American trailblazer. Born in Ontario, California in 1958 to Mexican American parents, Muñoz grew up understanding the importance of family, culture, and hard work. These values carried him from humble beginnings to the football fields of the University of Southern California, where he excelled despite multiple injuries. His perseverance caught the eye of the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft. What followed was a career that not only redefined the offensive
Born and raised in San Antonio, Bartholomew “Bart” Vasquez is more than a community leader. Bart Vasquez is a devoted family man, a man of faith, and a true hometown hero. A proud graduate of Memorial High School and a member of Cornerstone Church, Bart has built his life on the values of service, faith, and love for his city.
For over two decades, Bart served with distinction as a sergeant in the San Antonio Police Department. Behind the badge, he was known for his steady leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to protecting his community. His years of service gave him a deep understanding of the daily sacrifices made by police officers, firefighters, and their families. Those experiences planted the seeds for his life’s next chapter.
tackle position but also broke barriers for Hispanic athletes in professional sports. Muñoz was selected to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls, named to the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998—the first Mexican American to receive that honor. Yet Muñoz’s legacy extends beyond the gridiron. Through the Anthony Muñoz Foundation, he has inspired thousands of young people, especially Latino youth, by providing leadership programs, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities. His commitment reflects his belief that success
connecting officers with mental health care, Bart ensures that no family walks alone in the hardest of times. He has become a champion for trauma-informed care, reminding the community that first responders carry heavy burdens, burdens that also touch their loved ones.
Under his leadership, The 100 Club has grown into a source of strength and unity, hosting events like Boots & Badges and Run to Remember. Bart has also partnered with organizations like The LIBRE Initiative to honor the legacy of September 11th, keeping alive the memory of heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Today, Bart continues his mission as Executive Director of The 100 Club of San Antonio, a nonprofit that steps in when tragedy strikes. From providing immediate financial assistance to families of fallen first responders to offering scholarships and
isn’t just about winning games—it’s about uplifting communities. As a Mexican American athlete, Muñoz’s achievements remind us that representation matters. He proved that with dedication and heart, no dream is too big, and no obstacle too great. His story continues to inspire Latino players in the NFL today, and his
To his family, his church, and his city, Bart Vasquez is more than a leader, he is a protector, a mentor, and a modern-day superhero. He embodies what it means to be an Outstanding Latino of Texas: a man who never stopped serving, whose faith anchors his purpose, and whose heart beats for San Antonio.
With this distinct honor we name Bart Vasquez as Outstanding Latino of Texas!
voice carries the pride of a community that celebrates him not just as a football legend, but as a cultural icon. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we salute Anthony Muñoz—a man whose strength on the field and compassion off it embody the true spirit of leadership, perseverance, and heritage. #CulturasYGente
By Eduardo Jiménez Mayo, Ph.D., J.D.
Eva Ybarra, “The Accordion Queen,” was born on March 2, 1945—the fifth of nine children—in a house at 1312 Brighton Avenue and reared at 210 Escuela Street, near the rough and notorious area known as La Lomita.
She was born into a musical family. Her father, Pedro Garza Ybarra, Sr. sang, played guitar and violin; her mother, María Eloisa González Araiza, was a songwriter; and her two brothers, Pedro Jr. and David played accordion. Her older brother Pedro played with Los Caminantes and other conjuntos.
As musicians, they performed at local festivals in San Antonio, Dallas and Lockhart. Seeing them and enjoying the reaction to their squeezebox playing, she would nag her brothers to let her tinker with their accordions.
They shooed her away, but gave in by showing Eva a few riffs when she was four. “Then they would chase me away. And when other little girls were playing with their dolls, I preferred to be playing my accordion, which I carried with me as a doll, everywhere.”
During her musical career, she fought the odds against a male-dominated field of accordionists. She persisted and cracked the barrier.
She was influenced by accordionists Óscar Hernández and Paulino Bernal; and vocally, by Mexican singer Lola Beltrán
and San Antonio’s own Lydia Mendoza.
“What made it possible and easier for me not to give up is that I had one hundred percent encouragement from both my parents—all my life and I had their wholehearted support up to their passing. However, some of my early obstacles were the girls who would resent me being so popular. So I dropped out of Edgewood Junior High School in the eighth grade. Then there were the male patrons at cantina’s who would interrupt my performance as they yelled out, ‘you can sing, but you can’t play the accordion’.”
“Don’t listen to them,” my father would tell me. “Don’t give up because you’re going to be somebody.”
As Eva grew older, she also learned to play guitar, bass, bajo sexto and guitarrón. In fact, she played all the instruments on a few of her recordings. Yet the accordion was her instrument of choice. As a songwriter, she has written tunes that her fans say made them shiver. Her style incorporates a mix of jazz, rock and other music genres without while still remaining faithful to her traditional conjunto roots.
Ybarra could have been a bigger star if not held back to stay in San Antonio. Still, she is famous for being a pioneer, helping set the mold as an example, and opening the doors for other female accordionists—such as Lupita Rodella, the late Chavela Ortíz (r.n. Isabel Salaiza Hernández) of Brown Express, Victoria y Sus
Chikkos, Davette Esparza of Inocencia, and others.
In summary, Ybarra went where few women dared, she ventured into the maledominated ranks of conjunto. Fewer still are considered talented enough to lead their own conjunto—and succeed in capturing the attention of several record labels.
That’s why she earned the undisputed title of “The Accordion Queen.”
At four, Ybarra taught herself to play the two-row button accordion because the regular three-row was too big for her. Worried that the push-and-pull of the bellows would be harmful to her lungs, her mother encouraged her to learn the piano, which benefited her mostly by teaching her to read music and make arrangements. But Ybarra could not be deterred and never yielded.
Instead, she would sit next to a wooden radio, press an ear to the speaker and quietly, she would sit spellbound as the notes seared into her four-year-old memory. Afterwards, she would pick up her brother’s two-row accordion and play those same tunes, note for note. She also learned by looking and listening to her brothers play. Later, her brother Pedro taught her other tricks. Then she would follow her family joining in whenever she could.
Her father and brothers would take Ybarra to clubs and restaurants, where she would stand on a fruit crate, a milk bottle crate, a stool or a chair and started
playing her accordion for tips. This was the year that club and restaurant patrons dubbed her as “The Shirley Temple of the Accordion.”
In 1959, she formed Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto with her brothers, Pedro Jr. on bajo sexto and David on bass; plus “Blackie” Rodríguez on drums.
Her brothers dropped out of the picture and she went solo in 1962. Of this period, San Antonio ExpressNews columnist Carlos Guerra wrote, “Onstage she slipped from the anonymity of everyday life and became Eva Ybarra, the girl many said had a voice that echoed to the heavens. She felt at ease when she punched the buttons on her Hohner accordion and sang songs that drew screams. The stage was where she became a queen, anointed by the applause and standing ovations that greeted her night after night.”
Roberto Ruiz signed here to Rosina Records in 1963, with whom she recorded eight singles.
Ybarra recorded two singles for Jose Menéndez’s Magda Records in 1967. She also performed in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. She formed part of Rangel & Company, among other groups.
She formed Eva Ybarra y Sistema with Bobby Hernández in 1985: her vocals were combined with Santos Zamora on bajo sexto and vocals; David Ybarra, bass; and David Casas, drums.
She formed Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto in 1993. Ray
Symczyk, bajo sexto; Leo Teroy, bass; and Sergio Sequa on drums; made up the rest of the group.
Musicologist Cathy Ragland was instrumental in getting Ybarra a oneyear gig teaching accordion, bajo sexto, guitarrón and bass at The University of Washington in Seattle in 1997.
Ybarra reformed her conjunto with Gloria García, vocals; Ray Symtek, bajo sexto; Greg Goodman, bass; and Pete López on drums in 1998.
Thieves broke into her home in 2010 and stole all her musical instruments (a bajo sexto, guitarra de golpe, two bass guitars, recording equipment, jewels, gold, other valuable items and jewelry.) Not only was her home burglarized but she also lost her house to foreclosure.
Thanks to Tejano Conjunto Festival director Juan Tejeda, who asked for donations during the May 2010 festival, she was able to buy a new accordion. She began to teach Palo Alto College students how to play accordion and she began to teach accordion classes to kids and people of all ages at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.
Her house was burglarized a second time in 2012. Time has taken its toll, and she lives in an apartment now. Long gone are the days when she owned two or even three houses simultaneously. But she remains, now and forever, The Accordion Queen.
Aviso de una SESIÓN INFORMATIVA PARA LA COMUNIDAD sobre el
Proyecto en el Complejo del Coliseo del Condado de Bexar
El Condado de Bexar invita a la comunidad a una reunión pública informativa para aprender sobre la propuesta de proyecto en el Complejo del Coliseo y las propuestas electorales en la votación del 4 de noviembre del 2025. El programa es solo informativo; no se tomarán medidas oficiales. La reunión se llevará a cabo el:
miércoles, 1º de octubre
De 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Sesión Abierta
De 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Presentaciones y Sesión de Preguntas y Respuestas
Freeman Coliseum, Expo Hall A 3201 E. Houston Street San Antonio, TX 78219
(Entrada por la Puerta A en Houston, cerca de las vías de tren.)
Rutas de autobús: 24, 222
El evento incluirá una sesión abierta, presentaciones y una sesión de preguntas y respuestas. La sesión abierta permitirá a los asistentes revisar la información a su conveniencia y hablar individualmente con el personal del equipo. La información que se presentará durante la sesión abierta incluirá:
• Una explicación del impuesto de ocupación hotelera y la utilización propuesta de los fondos del impuesto de ocupación hotelera a través de un incremento del impuesto de ocupación hotelera de 1.75% a 2.00% (si se aprueba por los votantes)
• Propuesta en mejoras de obras al Frost Bank Center, Freeman Coliseum y el campus del Freeman Coliseum, incluyendo las instalaciones del San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. El colectivo de mejoras se conoce como el Proyecto en el Complejo del Coliseo.
• Financiamiento parcial propuesto para un estadio de usos múltiples diseñado principalmente como el estadio del equipo de basquetbol de los San Antonio Spurs.
Los votantes del Condado de Bexar decidirán sobre estas propuestas en la elección del 4 de noviembre del 2025, relativa al impuesto de ocupación hotelera. La votación se ordenó por la Corte de Comisionados el 5 de agosto del 2025.
Después de la sesión abierta habrá presentaciones y comentarios enfocados en el Proyecto en el Complejo del Coliseo del Condado de Bexar. Los presentadores incluirán la Oficina de la Representante del Estado Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, el Condado de Bexar y la Oficina del Juez del Condado Peter Sakai, el Consejo de Estadios de la Comunidad del Condado de Bexar (Community Arenas Board en inglés), el Rodeo de San Antonio y el Consejo Consultivo de Desarrollo Económico del Este (Eastside Economic Development Advisory Council en inglés). Un quórum de la Corte de Comisionados del Condado de Bexar podría estar presente pero no se tomarán medidas oficiales.
Después de las presentaciones y comentarios, el público tendrá la oportunidad de participar en una sesión de preguntas y respuestas.
El contenido del evento se presentará de una manera neutral y no se abogará por o en contra de una propuesta electoral. Para más información por favor visite www.bexar.org/3988/Coliseum-Complex-Venue-Project.
Las instalaciones son accesibles a sillas de ruedas. En la reunión habrá interpretes disponibles que hablan español y lenguaje de señas Americano. Para pedir otras acomodaciones especiales, o si tiene preguntas, por favor llame al 210-335-3019.
Por Yvette Tello
La violencia doméstica ha proyectado una larga sombra sobre San Antonio. Durante años, la ciudad se ha ubicado entre las más altas del país en casos de violencia familiar agravada, con consecuencias devastadoras: familias destrozadas, niños traumatizados y ciclos de abuso que parecen imposibles de romper.Pero en una sala de audiencias dirigida por la Jueza Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, se está intentando un cambio de una manera distinta. Conocido como Tribunal Reflejo —“reflection” en inglés— este programa especializado no se centra únicamente en el castigo, sino también en la intervención y la rendición de cuentas. Su objetivo: detener la violencia antes de que se vuelva mortal.
El Tribunal Reflejo está diseñado para infractores primerizos, hombres y mujeres que, de otra manera, cumplirían tiempo en la cárcel y regresarán a sus hogares más enojados que antes. En cambio, los participantes deben comprometerse con requisitos estrictos: comparecencias regulares en la corte, consejería, tratamiento contra el abuso de sustancias y pruebas aleatorias de drogas y alcohol.
Las apuestas son altas. Si los participantes cumplen, sus cargos pueden ser eliminados. Si fallan, enfrentan la cárcel.
La jueza Gonzalez lo deja claro: la responsabilidad es lo primero, pero también la oportunidad de cambiar.
“Eres joven,” le dijo a un participante en una audiencia reciente. “Quiero verte hacer grandes cosas.” Muchos de los infractores en el programa
cargan con el peso de traumas de la infancia, pobreza y adicciones. Pathways to Healing, una clase dirigida por John Vacca, ex pandillero convertido en consejero, es una pieza fundamental del programa. Enseña a los participantes a reconocer los detonantes que los llevan a la ira y la violencia. “La confusión es el inicio de la ira,” les dice Vacca. “Cuando sientas esa confusión, ésa es tu señal de advertencia.” Al abordar los traumas y enseñar a regular las emociones, el programa busca romper los ciclos de abuso que a menudo se transmiten de generación en generación.
ofrece una rara segunda oportunidad, que mantiene a las familias unidas y brinda a los agresores herramientas para cambiar.No todos están convencidos. Algunos líderes en prevención de violencia doméstica sostienen que la transformación toma años, no meses, y cuestionan si los primeros logros del tribunal pueden mantenerse en el tiempo. Aun así, para participantes como Jesse Falcon, de 21 años, el programa ha sido transformador. Antes dominado por la ira y la adicción, ahora afirma estar sobrio, trabajando de manera constante y aprendiendo a responder de manera diferente cuando surgen conflictos.
Desde su lanzamiento en 2020, el Tribunal Reflejo ha graduado a decenas de participantes, con la mayoría sin reincidencia. Sus defensores dicen que
“Mi actitud hacia la vida ha cambiado,” dijo Falcon.
“Ahora sé cómo responder a las situaciones. Soy una persona diferente.”
La violencia doméstica sigue siendo uno de los desafíos más difíciles de San Antonio. En los últimos años, la ciudad y el condado han visto un preocupante aumento en los homicidios relacionados con violencia familiar, lo que ha generado llamados a una acción más firme. El Tribunal Reflejo no promete una solución rápida, pero sí ofrece algo poco común: esperanza. La esperanza de que, a través de la responsabilidad, la consejería y la reflexión, los ciclos de abuso puedan romperse.Queda por ver si este modelo puede replicarse o sostenerse en el tiempo. Pero por ahora, San Antonio está probando algo nuevo —y para las familias atrapadas en la tormenta de la violencia, incluso una vida transformada puede marcar la diferencia entre la tragedia y la sanación.
Get where you’re going faster than before.
More frequent service on Routes:
We’re rolling out service improvements, starting with shorter waits on five routes.
Our Better Bus Plan is on its way. More upgrades coming soon, with
By Eduardo Jiménez Mayo, Ph.D., J.D. eduardojimenezmayo @gmail.com
As a child, growing up in Brownsville, Texas, bordering Matamoros, Judge Rosie
Speedling González’s mother disciplined her by threatening to move her to a local allgirl’s school, where skirts were mandatory. As it happened, Rosie was most comfortable in long pants. For one thing, long pants would cover up the scars she had on her legs from chronic allergic reactions to insect bites, and secondly, she was a tomboy at heart.
Her tomboy nature may have motivated her, as a young adult, to enroll in America’s oldest private military academy, Norwich University in Vermont, where she spent two extraordinary years. When word got out that Norwich had two native Spanish speakers among its freshman class, Rosie being one of them — and not having any native Speakers on faculty: they quickly recruited Rosie and her Hispanic colleague to run the Spanish language labs as associate professors.
Rosie’s language skills also came to the attention of the chief librarian, who offered her a job in the library, in truth, because she wanted to learn Spanish from her. In summary, Rosie had two paying jobs lined up in her first week at Norwich; hence, she was saved the trouble of figuring out how to pay for private school tuition.
Norwich’s student body was divided into two categories: the cadets and the civilians. The cadets were overwhelmingly male. Rosie was a civilian
female, but she did well at Norwich.
She also took advantage of the myriad invitations to spend weekends at the homes of her friends whose parents had “never seen a real Mexican,” and as a consequence she became familiar with the major east coast urbs, from Boston to D.C.
Just as she was riding high on a wave of success at Norwich, an upper respiratory infection landed her in the infirmary, then the hospital; and, ultimately, she was sent back to Brownsville for recovery. She would finish out her last two years of college at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio: close enough to be near her ailing father, a Mexican national, and her college-educated mother; while far enough to enjoy her craving for independence.
Rosie majored in political science at St. Mary’s, but she had assisted in political campaigns even as a child, alongside her mother, who organized the campaigns of various politicians in the valley.
“I’d been running around in political circles with my mom since about the age of eight. She was a volunteer and she would set up meet-and-greets at the local parks, at people’s houses, and so I’d be next to her carrying the tamales, maybe even a case of beer, so I was always with her helping her clean up and set up, break it down, set it up, and I’ve always had this voice, this Peppermint Patty voice — and so I started getting hired at the age of twelve to work for political phone banks, to read scripts for candidates over the phone, and the listeners never
knew I was a twelve year old telling them who to vote for.”
After college came a long period of soul searching, and occasional insobriety and partying, though she remained forever the workaholic, accumulating over a decade as a social worker, where she learned about the tragic flaws in the child welfare system.
Children were being torn from their parents over issues of domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse, and became wards of the state, often ending up in overloaded and horrifically indifferent foster homes; but the underlying causes of disfunction in their native households were going untreated.
Poverty breeds hardship, which breeds depression, which breeds drug and alcohol abuse, which breeds domestic violence and the breakdown of the nuclear family. Rosie is not the type to standby and facilitate a broken system, so she decided to return to St. Mary’s University in her thirties to study law.
Upon graduation from law school, she founded a private practice that exclusively focused on cases of family violence and domestic abuse, though most often she was engaging in the representation of children who were the products of broken homes.
She fought the good fight for a decade and a half, but her impact was limited by the fact that the root causes of family violence almost always manifested themselves in behavioral health and substance abuse disorders, compounded by poverty and the lack of formal education, problems
for which government offered few scientifically informed remedies.
Upset at the failure of the courts to address the root causes of family violence, she ran twice and lost twice for a seat on one of the two county courts responsible for the misdemeanor family violence docket. In all fairness she came closer than any democratic candidate had ever come to winning that seat, but it seems the stars were not aligning for her. In 2018, however, she was convinced to run a third time for the judgeship. She vowed this time that she would run her campaign differently than the customary practices of the democratic establishment.
She didn’t focus on signage, mailers and block-walkers, for example. Instead, she ran her campaign on social media, spreading the gospel Bernie Sanders style. She tirelessly attended every grassroots event she possibly could. She even created T-shirts and other paraphernalia to pass out as she introduced herself to the crowds.
She also identified as openly gay when many traditionalists in the democratic party warned her that it might backfire and bring disastrous results, a brave position, most gratifying to this bisexual reporter. As it turned out, she was right! Rosie won the seat of Bexar County Court No. 13 in a landslide, embodying the Shakespearian maxim, “To thine own self be true.”
Once on the bench she convinced the Texas legislature to sponsor a specialty program in her court to attack the root causes of family violence.
The therapeutic jail diversion program she presides over today is known as “Reflejo Court,” “reflejo” being Spanish for reflection. It is the judge’s belief that reflection leads to better choices, and better choices lead to better outcomes.
Judge Speedlin González credits her wife, Stacy Speedlin González, an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas in San Antonio, with providing the scientific expertise necessary to create a program that would address the nexus of addiction, trauma, and family violence. Cognitive behavioral therapy, sobriety, and engagement of the entire family in the therapeutic process are the hallmarks of “Reflejo Court,” open to firsttime offenders accused of misdemeanor acts of family violence.
Enough time has passed for the judge’s program to be tested for success and the numbers speak for themselves: recidivism is down, way down! Judge Speedlin González and her wife Stacy have done Bexar County a great service in applying their respective talents to improve the behavioral health of families once fraught with the triple evils of violence, trauma, and addiction.
As for myself, being the son of a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist, I find it gratifying to see that the therapeutic initiatives of “Reflejo Court” are not only succeeding, but are gradually becoming a model for other programs in courts throughout the state. If you wish to follow the judge’s progress, her official website may be found at https:// www.bexar.org/1834/CountyCourt-13.
Notice of a COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION for the
Bexar County Coliseum Complex Venue Project
Bexar County is inviting the community to a public information meeting to learn about the proposed Coliseum Complex Venue Project and ballot propositions on the November 4, 2025 ballot. The program is informational only; no official action will be taken. The meeting will be held:
Wednesday, October 1
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Open House
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Presentations and Question & Answer Session
Freeman Coliseum, Expo Hall A 3201 E. Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78219
(Enter through Gate A on Houston St., near the railroad tracks)
Bus Routes: 24, 222
The event will include an open house followed by presentations and a question-and-answer session. The open house will allow attendees to review information at their convenience and speak individually to staff. Information to be presented during the open house will include:
• An explanation of the venue tax and proposed use of venue tax funds through a Hotel Occupancy Tax increase from 1.75% to 2.00% (if approved by voters)
• Proposed improvements to the Frost Bank Center, Freeman Coliseum, and Freeman Coliseum grounds, including San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo facilities. These improvements are known collectively as the Coliseum Complex Venue Project
• Proposed partial funding for a new multipurpose arena designed primarily as the home venue for the San Antonio Spurs basketball team.
These proposals are being considered by Bexar County voters as ballot propositions pursuant to the August 5, 2025 order by the Bexar County Commissioners Court ordering a November 4, 2025 venue tax election.
Following the open house, presentations and/or remarks focusing on the Coliseum Complex Venue Project will be provided by the Office of State Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Bexar County and the Office of Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, the Bexar County Community Arenas Board, the San Antonio Rodeo, and the Eastside Economic Development Advisory Council. A quorum of the Bexar County Commissioners Court may be present, though no official action will be taken.
Following presentations and remarks the public will have the opportunity to ask questions during a question-and-answer session.
This event will be conducted in a content-neutral manner and will not advocate for or against a ballot proposition. For more information, please visit www.bexar.org/3988/Coliseum-Complex-Venue-Project.
The meeting facilities are wheelchair accessible. Spanish-language and American Sign Language interpreters will be available at the meeting. For other accommodation requests or questions, please call 210-335-3019.
By Eduardo Jiménez Mayo
September 9, 2025 –San Antonio, TX
Francisco Franco was still in power when Ms. Macon left Kingsville, her hometown, for Madrid to learn the Spanish language fluently and explore the rich Iberian heritage of the great state of Texas.
There she rubbed elbows with nationalists, Canary Islanders, and Catalan separatists alike. As long as you weren’t a bore, I suppose, her arms were open wide.
She even took on a side gig answering the telephone for the U.S. Information Agency, dedicated to sponsoring educational and cultural programs in foreign nations through cultural exchanges and international broadcasting—a project intended to improve America’s image abroad and spread democratic models of government around the globe.
Ms. Macon is one of the most gregarious and vivacious souls I have come across in my lifetime. I addressed her as Ms. Macon, at first, only to be scolded and invited to call her Jane or Juana, or even Juanita.
Being the first female City Attorney of San Antonio, having played leadership roles in the development of the River Walk, the construction of the Alamodome, and the foundation Texas A&M University at San Antonio, to name a few of her numerous accomplishments, she has clearly left an indelible mark on the history of San Antonio.
But even now, well into her seventies, she continues to practice law for the prestigious public finance firm, Bracewell, where she is a partner. Though
she is one of our city’s preeminent senior attorneys, this role does not seem to mean as much to her as the life-long friendships and connections she has been able to make with people of diverse nations and all walks of life.
Take, for instance, the pro bono side of her career, where she has helped low-income mothers in need of representation and rallied to feed hungry families.
Juanitaa, as we shall call her, has done the simple things in life, like befriending those in need, and bringing persons of all classes into her social circles, even into her household at times.
It brings her extraordinary pleasure to foster the artistic and professional inclinations of the youth with whom she comes into contact.
Elatedly, for example, she told me about the ten-year-old mariachi, Mateo, she has taken under her wing who has perfect pitch and the lungs of an adult. However, Mateo he has his grandfather to thank for his musical talent. no musicians in his family, Mateo’s parents are proud of his musical ability and have made sure that he receives the best training to develop his musical genius. so Juanita is looking after his musical education. happily sharing her network with the family and fans.
Juanita Macon has a special weakness for artists, while claiming that she herself lacks artistic talent. In my opinion she is an artist at heart, irrespective of her singular commitment to lawyering.
I deliberately paused the interview to imbibe some merlot, chew on tender steak tips and let the sliced camembert cheese spread over my palette, appetizers which Juanita had graciously ordered for me in
advance of our meeting at Club Giraud.
As the interview progressed, I learned that during her days at UT Law she and her roommate lived in a building owned by Big Jim Hasslocher, who let them eat to their hearts’ content, along with Big Jim’s daughters who were also attending UT at his diner, rather than having them shop and cook for themselves every day.
As a lawyer myself, I identified with the importance of nourishment during one’s legal studies. But most interesting, in my opinion, was when the conversation turned to her youthful memories of Spain and her vast knowledge of San Antonio’s Hispanic heritage.
Juanita was telling me of her delightful friendships with Spanish giants as Catalonian sculptor Xavier Corberó, as well as San Antonio’s own Gini García, who studied blown glass with Chihuly on the Pacific Coast.
Juanita even enlightened me on Texas history by explaining that the owners of the King Ranch—acquaintances friends of her family—were on fabulous were on very good terms with Spain’s royals, Juan Carlos I of Bourbon and his wife Queen Sophia..
She even delved into the history of La Villita’s preservation, relying on supporters as far away as Washington D.C.
She even mentioned my own father as being a seminal figure in local medicine in San Antonio, stating, “Oh yes, I remember Dr. Roberto Jiménez was one of my dear friends, you see, well. I represent the University Hospital District, and he served as Chairman of the Bexar County Hospital District Board
of Managers, first appointed by he's the one with whom we built the Texas Diabetes Center, along with Ccommissioner Paul Elizondo, who, as you may know, was also in an orchestra and taught music.
Dr. Jiménez was fabulous, we built many hospitals for Dr. Jiménez, and that diabetes hospital, even today, is still one of the wonders.”
She continued, “We’re just so lucky that we have a medical school right here in San Antonio in which all the professors are on contract with The University of Texas. So that’s why we one example of UHS won a lot winning numerous of awards was because of George Hernandez’s leadership in seeking out distinguished professors in medicine and because we were able to entice enticing them to come hereto San Antonio.”
When I asked her whether, as a child, she envisioned become the high-ranking lawyer and public figure she is today, she smiled, andsmiled and started telling me stories of her days in Pakistan and India.
Her mother had multiple degrees and was a professor at Texas A&I—now Texas A&M. She stole away tospent time in Pakistan and India with Juanita and her brother to teach nutrition and sanitation.
Juanita remembers one time when her mother was attempting to teach Pakistani women the importance of preparing meals on a clean table rather than on the ground, and several of her students climbed up on the table and squatted on it while they prepared a meal. “Not quite that way,” she remembers her mother explaining, “Let’s try again.”
Aside from describing the charm of riding rickshaws to
the marketplaces of cities all over Pakistan and India, and other such incidentals, Juanita underscored the more important lesson that cultural exchange can be a force for democracy.
As she was growing up, her family hosted numerous foreign exchange students from the Middle East: future engineers, bankers, agrobusiness empresarios, and politicians. “My mother used to say that if only we could have had culture exchange of this sort with nations presently declared our enemies, we probably wouldn’t be seeing the reign of violence, terrorism, and poverty we have in those nations today.”
Juanita, formed in her mother’s mold, is a firm believer in the power of a liberal arts education to democratize. Just when I thought the interview was coming to a close, and we would part ways, Juanita invited me and my wife to join her for the birthday party of Maria Abarca, the late Vicente Fernández’s executive assistant and translatorsister-in-law.
“Did you know Vicente Fernández,” I asked. “Sure,” I was his attorney.” How did that come to be?” “Well,” a chance encounter regarding I sold him some of the miniature horses, ended up in a 40 year friendship between the Fernandez’s and the Macon’s. Somewhere along the way Mr. Fernandez I breed learned that I was an attorney, and. And he was impressed. Once he learned more about me, he wanted asked me to be his legal counsel on lots of fun projects! Larry and I truly value the lifelong friendships and the many memories. , so I said sure! And that was that.” We got up from the table and drove off to Fogo de Chão.
By Ricardo Romo
The 2025 Centro Cultural Aztlan's Fotoseptiembre exhibit celebrates Latino Culture and Community. The exhibit photographs document everyday life, cultural traditions, social movements, migrations, festivals, rituals, and personal expressions, creating a rich visual archive of Latino experiences. The opening reception was held on September 5, with live music by Juan and Armando Tejeda.
Fotoseptiembre artists include Mike Cervantes, Joe D. Garcia, Chris Hernandez, Ramon Hernandez, Al Rendon, Joey Reyes Duran, Ricardo Romo, Joel Salcido, Monica Saldana, Kathy Vargas, and Guillermina Zabala. The exhibition, curated by Dr. Ricardo Romo, highlights the role of photography as a connector and educator.
The Centro CEO, Malena Gonzalez-Cid, presented Kathy Vargas with the first annual Aguila Aztlan award. Vargas, who was recently recognized with a national Latnix Fellowship, also received a City of San Antonio Citation from Councilwoman Dr. Sukh Kaur and a U.S. Congressional Certificate from Congressman Henry Cuellar honoring her contributions as an educator, artist, and mentor.
Kathy Vargas, a San Antonio native, began her career in art after high school when she shifted from painting to photography. She studied under Tom Wright, the renowned rock and roll photographer, at the Southwest School of Art and Craft. At San Antonio College, Mel Casas, a founding figure of the Chicano Art Movement, further influenced her, emphasizing the power of art as a force for social justice. Vargas went on to earn a BA and MFA from UT San Antonio.
Early in her career, Vargas worked as a journalist covering Chicano artists, and later became Visual Arts Program Director at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center from 1985 to 2000. For the past two decades, Vargas has taught at the University of the Incarnate Word, serving as Chair of the Art Department from 2000 to 2013.
As a professional photographer, Vargas is widely recognized for producing hand - colored photographs created through multiple exposures, her signature style of blending technical craft with personal vision. Her work has been shown internationally and is part of major public collections at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of Mexican Art [Chicago], affirming her place as one of San Antonio’s leading artists.
Al Rendon’s passion for photography started in 1973 as a sixteen-year-old sophomore at Central Catholic when he joined the yearbook staff to cover the local music scene. His older brother won tickets to a sold-out Led Zeppelin concert, where Rendon captured candid shots of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page before security stopped him. That summer, he showed his photos to KONO Radio, which landed him an assignment to cover Elton John. He soon gained backstage access to concerts featuring global music legends.
Soon, Rendon’s photography earnings encouraged him to pursue full-time work as a photographer. Over the next decade, he took commercial commissions and documented major San Antonio concerts. Rendon’s photos of Iggy Pop, Ted Nugent, and John Bonham performing at the Exchange Club are now in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
In 1981, assignments with the San Antonio Fiesta Commission strengthened Rendon’s ties to Mexican and Tejano culture, leading to steady work with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. There, he documented conjunto festivals, ballet folklórico, cinema, and the Inter-American Book Fair, photographing luminaries like Carlos Fuentes, Isabel Allende, and Maya Angelou. Revisiting his Latino roots gave him a mission: to document Hispanic culture. His images of Flaco Jiménez, Santiago Jiménez Jr., Emilio and Raulito Navaira, and a young Selena mark key moments in Tejano music history. His photographs in Uvalde after the 2022 tragedy carry the
same intimacy and emotional depth that have defined his career.
Joel Salcido’s journey began in Ciudad Juárez, the Mexican border city opposite El Paso, Texas.
Moving to the U.S. at seven, he grew up in an El Paso barrio. After college, his career took shape at the El Paso Times (1979–1991). He covered the Rio Grande Valley, Juárez, El Paso, and southern New Mexico. Immersed in the border’s rhythms, he became both observer and storyteller. His acclaimed photographs include the Tarahumara people and the 1985 Mexico City earthquake.
Salcido’s assignments expanded to USA Today, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways, taking him across Latin America and the full 830-mile Texas–Mexico border. These travels deepened his grasp of the region’s politics, history, economy, and traditions.
Salcido identifies as Mexicano and Mexicano Americano, navigating both worlds with a visual language reflecting their intertwined legacies.
For over 30 years, photography has accompanied Salcido—from tragedy’s darkest moments to the light of visual poetry. As a photojournalist, confronting disaster shook his faith in humanity. Turning to fine art photography, he sought renewal in images that reveal hope and beauty. In 1999, Salcido spent a year in Belorado, Spain, focusing on an intimate study of its land and traditions. This culturally rich work is now preserved in Texas museums. He continues to photograph the border with insight while envisioning future projects related to Texas borderland’s icons. His career remains rooted in resilience, discovery, and the enduring poetry of the borderlands.
Monica Estrada-Saldana is a San Antonio-based Chicana artist and photographer whose work explores identity, femininity, and home, rooted in her Mexican American heritage. Raised in a lineage with centuries in San Antonio, Monica’s ties to her culture and land deeply inform her vision, highlighting
the beauty and magic of everyday life. With her camera, she reveals resilience, softness, and strength in the women around her, portraying femininity through a personal, romantic lens.
Saldana’s artistic journey began in childhood when she received her first camera at age eight, later expanding her storytelling through high school journalism. Before fully committing to photography, Monica worked for six years as a professional makeup artist in film, television, and print, experiences that connected her to influential photographers and filmmakers. About five years ago, she transitioned fully into photography, pursuing it as her primary profession.
Saldana’s work has gained recognition both locally and internationally. Her photographs have appeared on Vogue Italia’s online platform and in Yes Ma’am magazine’s award-winning issue, “The Dream.” She has exhibited in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Antonio, and South Texas, with several works included in the permanent collection exhibition at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Beyond photography, she shares her journey and cultural narratives on Instagram, offering a glimpse into her life as a travel enthusiast, coffee lover, and proud Tejana artist who documents her world with honesty and intention.
Guillermina Zabala is a San Antonio–based interdisciplinary media artist, educator, and curator, originally from La Plata, Argentina. Her work explores how individuals engage with their sociocultural environments, using visual storytelling to spark dialogue on identity, community, and social justice. Exhibited in museums, galleries, and film festivals across the United States, Latin America, and Europe, her practice bridges mediums while
amplifying marginalized voices.
Zabala earned a BA in Cinema from Columbia College in Los Angeles and an MA in Media Studies from The New School in New York, where she was the first recipient of the Sinha Memorial Fellowship. Now pursuing a Ph.D. focused on Latin American documentary movements, she continues to shape conversations on transnational cinema and visual culture.
Zabala’s photographs are part of The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Art Collection, and her films have screened at major festivals including Telluride, Chicago Latino, San Sebastián, Torino, and CineFestival in San Antonio. Her award-winning documentary Las Artivistas received Best Documentary Short at CineFestival in 2022, while her feature-length Juanito’s Lab was the festival’s 2021 opening film. She has also been recognized with the Rick Liberto Visual Arts Award from the Luminaria Foundation, the SA Artist Foundation Award, the NALAC Fund for the Arts Grant, and UTSA’s 25Veinticinco Award.
For more than 15 years, Zabala directed the Media Arts Program at SAY Sí, mentoring youth in film and new media. She currently serves as Professor of Practice in UTSA’s Film and
Media Studies program, extending her commitment to education and community engagement. As a curator, her projects—such as From South America to San Antonio—have illuminated shared realities across the Americas.
Ramon Hernandez is a legendary musicologist, journalist, photojournalist, publicist, and curator. He grew up on the West Side of San Antonio and, beginning in the mid-1950s, developed a passion for Chicano music, focusing on behind-the-scenes work in photography and writing. The Ramón Hernández Collection spans more than 50 years of significant materials from the 1920s to 2025 and is now housed at Texas State University's Wittliff Collections. His archives include historic photographs, vintage concert posters, rare recordings, artifacts, and instruments from legendary Tejano artists like Lydia Mendoza, Little Joe, Sunny of the Sunliners, Freddy Fender, Selena, and others.
This year’s Centro Cultural Aztlan Fotoseptiembre exhibit showcases images that preserve and celebrate the history, identity, and spirit of San Antonio’s Latino community. Special thanks to all the artists who provided me with bios and interviews to prepare this essay. Much of this story is in their words.
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By Eduardo Jiménez Mayo
Ricky Martin. Cheech Marin. Jennifer López. Gregory Nava. Edward James Olmos. Rebecca Meza. Eva Longoria. Mario López. Esaí Morales. This is just a short list of the Latino and Latina talent with whom Henrietta Hernández Burress has been associated over the span of her career in the entertainment industry as a radio personality and media consultant.
She started her career in radio broadcasting when she was still a teenager and she paid her dues, answering phones, grabbing coffee, splicing tape at all hours of the day and night, doing everything an intern is expected to do for little or no pay: finally getting on the air at KTFM under her stage name “Hot Henrietta,” as the station’s sidekick to “DJ Drex.” In the 1980s, when she launched her career, it was unheard of for a Latina woman to have a voice on a major FM radio station.
“When I was growing up, I was a dreamer. Dreaming of the future. This holds true for me today. Dream big! Take risks and embrace challenges,” she told the editors of Inspiring Woman Book: Inspiring Quotes and Stories from San Antonio’s Most Successful Women, Volume 9. The journal summarizes her many accomplishments with the following words: “Henrietta is a dynamic media
professional, community advocate, best known for her vibrant voice on San Antonio’s airwaves and her dedication to uplifting others through entertainment and mentorship. With over 25 years of experience in radio and television."
Henrietta’s creative passion and people-first approach have made her a beloved figure in the community. Her career highlights include hosting top-rated radio shows on iconic stations like KTFM 102.7, Cox Radio’s 106.7 JAMZ, and Power 106 Los Angeles. Known to listeners as “Hot Henrietta,” she earned consistent high ratings among women with the Noontime Workout.
Henrietta has shared the stage with entertainers including Cheech Marin, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, LL Cool J, Selena, and Eva Longoria. Her film and television credits include the feature film Selena, ABC’s American Crime, and a guest host role for the HBO Latino Laugh Festival.
In addition to her media career, Henrietta is also a licensed vocational nurse and serves as a Clinical Liaison for Nightingale Hospice, where she advocates for seniors. Beyond the spotlight, Henrietta has dedicated her time to advocating for women, youth, and underserved communities. She has worked with The Alpha Home, Pathways Youth, Eva’s Heroes, La Prensa Texas, and LULAC.
Today, Henrietta continues to give back as a freelance contributor to La Prensa Texas. She is also founder of the podcast Café y Canciones, and an active public speaker, inspiring audiences across Texas.
A proud San Antonio native, Henrietta continues to inspire and be a voice in the community. As a child, she dreamed deep inside of being the next Diane Sawyer, but there were no doors open for Latinas from poor families in those days for such positions. At least that was the perception in her family and within the cultural confines in which she was raised. Still, even if it meant leaving San Antonio for the valley, she was determined to have a radio show of her own, and so it happened. It was in the valley that she blossomed into the “Hot Henrietta” who would be running her own show, though barely able to pay the bills.
When her station changed format to all-Spanish language and song, she moved to Corpus to continue her virtually patented arrangement of music and humor, but behind the scenes she was still barely scraping by. For instance, she went without car insurance for so long that she picked up a deuce of tickets and served a few weeks in jail for lack of insurance, side-by-side with drug offenders, practitioners of fraud, and other sundry criminals who couldn’t
believe that someone with a profession could end up among them. Henrietta couldn’t believe it either. Not even when the station sent her a lawyer (who could barely speak English) could she get out of doing time, so she opted to serve during the Christmas holidays in order not to lose her side gig as a registered nurse.
Show business was her dream, but dreams do not always pay the bills, so she had cleverly enrolled in nursing school, and her gregarious nature lent itself to the profession.
She still practices as a nurse today, interviewing candidates for home health care and hospice. But she remains on the forefront of the battle for the advancement of Latina women in the arts and entertainment. Her own radio show always had a “shock” element to it — not quite as extreme as Howard Stern, but the parallel might be drawn nonetheless. The same is true today. She is vociferously against the “brutalities and openly racist immigration policies of the Trump administration,” and is not afraid to broadcast to the world the injustice of deporting “Latinos and Latinas with no criminal history without due process, in many cases because they simply couldn’t afford a lawyer to help them keep their visa current.”
Ever quirky and bubbly, even when politically
fired up, her business card displays a vintage microphone and reads, “Hot Henrietta. Empowering. Vocal. Inspiring. Vogue Vibe. Advocacy. Radio Roots. Big Heart. San Antonio Proud.” She is San Antonio proud — and San Antonio is proud of her.
We’re also proud of her role as a mother to an Eagle Scout and recent graduate of The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque on full scholarship. The very first image she sent me as an introduction was of her with her son in his graduation attire, and the very last image she sent me after our meeting was of her, again, embracing her son, and I almost broke down in tears to see so much love between a mother and a child.
Henrietta married later in life to Nebraska native Jon Burress, who knew nothing of her radio persona. He simply fell in love with Henrietta for who she is and played a vital role in guiding her son through high school.
As a philanthropist and community leader, Henrietta has come full circle in her service — dedicating herself to the community, advancing the industry, and championing equality for women. Her lifelong commitment and achievements make her truly worthy of recognition as an outstanding and distinguished member of our community.
By J Gilberto Quezada
One morning, Jo Emma and I went to run some errands close to the house, and one of them had to do with stopping at the Dollar Tree to buy some crossword puzzles. We found only two different types for $1.50 each plus tax, so Jo Emma gave the cashier a five-dollar bill. As we were leaving the store, Jo Emma stopped to put the change in her purse — one dollar and three quarters.
Whenever we go to a store, Jo Emma always brings her coin purse so she can pay the exact amount and only receive dollar bills in return. But this time, she forgot the coin purse in the Rav4. And she never checks her change — she usually just puts it straight into the coin purse — but this time, she did check it and noticed two unique quarters. She asked me point blank, “Who is this lady on the quarter?”
I leaned in to take a closer look, and my heart skipped a beat.
“It’s Jovita Idar!” I exclaimed, nearly
breathless with excitement.
Not one, but two quarters bore the image of the legendary Mexican American journalist, educator, and civil rights activist. I had been hoping to find one of these newly minted quarters ever since I learned about its release nearly two years ago. And now, against all odds, two of them had landed in our hands. The serendipity and coincidence of it all was staggering. Jo Emma had chosen Dollar Tree over other stores, and she had actually checked her change — something she never does. It felt like the universe had conspired to make this moment happen.
I always wanted a new 2023 mint quarter of Jovita Idar. And what are the chances of getting two? The stars had to be aligned just right. Jo Emma suggested Dollar Tree and not the Dollar General or Family Dollar. She checked her change before putting it in her purse. It was just meant to be that we came into possession of those two Jovita Idar quarters.
Jovita Idar’s legacy is one of fierce advocacy and unwavering courage. She championed education for Mexican American children, spoke out against injustice through her writing, and even crossed picket lines to support striking workers.
Jovita Idar (1885–1946) was a trailblazing Mexican American journalist, educator, and civil rights activist born in Laredo, Texas. Raised in a family deeply committed to social justice, she began her career writing for her father's newspaper, La Crónica, where she boldly addressed issues of racism, poverty, and inequality affecting Mexican Americans.
In 1911, she founded the League of Mexican Women (La Liga Femenil Mexicanista), advocating for free education and empowerment for young girls. During the Mexican Revolution, she used her voice and pen to champion labor rights and women’s suffrage, even standing up to the Texas Rangers who tried to silence her.
Jovita’s fearless pursuit of justice and education left a lasting legacy — now honored on a 2023 U.S. quarter as part of the American Women Quarters Program. Her image on the quarter is more than a tribute — it’s a symbol of resilience, intellect, and the power of speaking truth to power. Holding those quarters felt like holding a piece of history, a tangible reminder of the battles she fought and the lives she touched.
The quarters themselves gleamed with a quiet dignity. Her portrait, etched in fine detail, radiated strength and grace. I couldn’t help but marvel at the timing and symbolism. It wasn’t just about acquiring a collectible — it was about the story behind it, the journey that led us to that moment, and the spirit of Jovita Idar that seemed to whisper through the silver alloy.
Jo Emma and I stood there, stunned and grateful, as if we had been handed a gift from the past.
That morning at the Dollar
Tree store turned into a cherished memory — one I will carry with me every time I glance at those two quarters. It was a reminder that history lives not just in textbooks or museums, but in the everyday moments that catch us off guard.
Jovita Idar’s quarter is more than currency — it’s a conversation starter, a legacy preserved, and for me, a magical encounter with a hero whose story continues to inspire. Sometimes, the smallest things — a coin, a glance, a question — can lead to the most extraordinary discoveries.
And I always wanted to obtain a Jovita Idar quarter when I first found out about it almost two years ago — and now I have two!
When we got home, I checked online and found out that the Jovita Idar quarters have an error from the mint. On the flip side of her image, the words should read, “In God We Trust,” but instead read “In Cod We Trust” — a rare misprint that collectors are buzzing about.
Por Franco
En el complejo deportivo y social de Liga Potranco, categoría Masters 50+ de San Antonio, Texas, el equipo Rieleros, mediante sus directivos Juan Sánchez, Servando Hernández, JP Reza, Gabriel Morales y Ramiro Morales (sin parentesco), ofreció un emotivo homenaje a uno de sus jugadores más destacados.
El domingo 14 de septiembre, al comienzo de su serie final del playoff ante Yankees SA,
y durante la apertura del cuarto episodio, se llevó a cabo una sorpresiva ceremonia en la que se entregó un reconocimiento internacional al valioso jugador Alfredo Rodríguez Hernández, por su excelente trayectoria en el béisbol tanto al sur como al norte del Río Bravo, en el estado de Coahuila.
Durante la ceremonia, se le entregó una placa de honor, mientras la comentarista de jugada por jugada, Linda Garza, leía una breve biografía
que destacó los méritos del legendario beisbolista de 66 años de edad, originario de Rancherías, municipio de Múzquiz, Coahuila.
Alfredo Rodríguez Hernández, conocido cariñosamente como “El Mocho” en el ámbito del rey de los deportes a nivel internacional, agradeció profundamente la invitación de los directivos para integrarse al roster de los Rieleros en esta su primera temporada con el equipo. Actualmente, los Rieleros compiten en la categoría Masters 50+, donde ya ostentan un campeonato previo y ahora buscan su segundo trofeo.
Durante la ceremonia, Alfredo fue acompañado por su esposa Rebeca Hernández Ramos, sus hijos Alfredo Jr. y Alejandro Damián, quien viajó expresamente desde Fort Worth, Texas, acompañado de
su familia para estar presente en este emotivo momento.
Opiniones:
Juan Sánchez, “El Rielero Mayor”, comentó:
“Agradecidos porque El Mocho nos vino a ayudar en la temporada. Él es un pelotero con buena trayectoria.”
Alfredo Rodríguez Hernández expresó:
“Agradecido con mis compañeros, y si los directivos me vuelven a invitar, con gusto volveré a vestir el uniforme de Rieleros.”
Alfredo Jr. compartió:
“Jugué de catcher al lado de mis hermanos Alejandro Damián e Iván, ayudando a nuestro padre como mánager y ganando el campeonato con Mineros de
Nava en la Liga Auténtica del estado de Coahuila.”
Mencho Vargas, legendario beisbolista, agregó:
“A El Mocho lo conocí como jugador, y luego nos hicimos buenos amigos allá en el béisbol regional de Nava, Coahuila.”
Los festejos culminaron con una deliciosa cena y excelente camaradería entre los asistentes. Además, se hizo entrega de un regalo muy especial: un bate número 33, presentado por el colaborador Daniel Saucedo “Chi Chi” y los directivos mencionados. El momento fue ovacionado por todos los presentes.
En las fotos: Alfredo recibiendo la placa de honor presentada por los directivos de Rieleros; Alfredo con su familia; y Alfredo recibiendo el bate. (Fotos de Franco)
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