Hector Godinez
Hector Godinez | |
|---|---|
 Hector Godinez | |
| Born | Hector García Godinez July 1, 1924 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 16, 1999 (aged 74) |
| Resting place | Santa Ana Cemetery, Santa Ana, California, U.S |
| Nationality | Mexican–American |
| Occupation | Postmaster |
| Spouse |
Mary Godinez (m. 1946) |
| Children | 4 children |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
|
Hector G. Godinez (July 1, 1924 – May 16, 1999) was a civil rights leader and the first
During World War II, Godinez served under
Mr. Godinez was a founder of the League of Latin American Citizens, a group dedicated to improving conditions for Americans of Mexican descent. Godinez was a key figure in ending discrimination against Mexican American children in Orange County schools.[2] Specifically, Godinez and other activists were responsible for Mendez v. Westminster—a landmark lawsuit that took on the establishment in Orange County so that schools would not be segregated. Because of this lawsuit, California desegregated its schools 6 years before the rest of the Nation. On the national level, Mendez v. Westminster was the basis for Brown v. Board of Education.[1]
Honors and awards
Godinez Fundamental High School in Santa Ana, California, is named in Hector Godinez' honor.[4] The public high school opened in 2007 and is part of the Santa Ana Unified School District.
Godinez was the recipient of the
In 2001, Loretta Sanchez introduced H.R. 1366, To designate the United States Post Office building located at 3101 West Sunflower Avenue in Santa Ana, California, as the ‘Hector G. Godinez Post Office Building’. The bill was enacted in 2002.[5]
Personal life
The son of field workers, Godinez was born in 1924 on the grounds of San Diego Mission. His family moved to Santa Ana in 1925, where Godinez lived for the rest of his life.[1]
Godinez was known for his collection of 50 pairs of cowboy boots and his love of Stetson hats. He was a voracious reader, especially of tomes about World War II.[2]
Godinez died at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.[2]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0160760778. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Folmar, Kate (May 17, 1999). "Hector Godinez; First Latino Postmaster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9797419-3-7. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Cisneros, Theresa (8 January 2012). "Widow of Latino civil rights leader dies". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ 107th Congress (2001) (April 3, 2001). "H.R. 1366 (107th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
To designate the United States Post Office building located at 3101 West Sunflower Avenue in ...
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