"All of eight at the time, she was disheartened to see the statues of her heroes blend into the brick wall behind them without any signage or due recognition. In Napa, a region that thrives on its world-renowned wine, Mendez wanted the hard work of farmworkers like her grandfather to be recognized. She wanted children in the community to see the statues of Chavez and Huerta so they could learn about the civil rights icons' contributions to workers' rights."
"Now, after writing letters to local officials, presenting at multiple public meetings and sharing her idea directly with Huerta at a United Farm Workers march, she has succeeded. Early next year, the statues will be placed inside the Soscol Avenue office of Puertas Abiertas, a nonprofit that has served as the go-to resource hub for the city's Latino community since 2005."
""When I first found out they were being moved to Puertas Abiertas, I had mixed emotions," Mendez said. "My original idea was for them to be in a public space like a park. But the more I thought about it, I came to the realization that it was a great spot for them, considering all the work the organization does to help the Latino community.""
Mia Alonso Mendez began campaigning at age eight to relocate nine-foot statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta that blended into a building facade without signage. She pursued letters to officials, public presentations and discussed the idea with Huerta at a United Farm Workers march. The statues will be moved early next year to the Soscol Avenue office of Puertas Abiertas, which has served as a resource hub for Napa's Latino community since 2005. Puertas Abiertas plans to establish a 6,000-square-foot Latino Cultural Center to celebrate and preserve Latino history, art, culture and advocacy.
Read at The Mercury News
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