Speaker Spotlight: Sylvia Mendez

On February 15, 2011, President Barack Obama presented civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez with the Medal of Freedom. “She has made it her mission to spread her message of tolerance and opportunity to children of all backgrounds and all walks of life,” Obama said.

Sylvia Mendez is the daughter of Gonzalo Mendez, a Mexican immigrant, and Felicitas Mendez, a Puerto Rican immigrant, who fought so that Sylvia could have an equal education through the 1946 landmark court case Mendez v. Westminster.

In 1943, when Sylvia was in third grade, she and her siblings were denied admission to the segregated “white school,” near their Orange County home. The Mendez family fought back, and their 1947 victory desegregated public schools in California.

Mendez v. Westminster brought an end to segregation in Orange County schools- and ultimately throughout California and the nation.

Today, Sylvia speaks around the country continuing the legacy of her parents and Mendez v. Westminster by encouraging students to overcome obstacles, stay in school and continue their education.

Watch the short video below where Sylvia receives the presidential Medal of Freedom.

Meet Sylvia at the Spring San Francisco Green Festival on April 10 at 2:00 p.m.