LULAC Director Posthumously Honored

Helen Gonzales, a former resident of Socorro, was posthumously honored at the League of United Latin American Citizens' State Convention Hispanic Awards Banquet on May 2 as New Mexico's first female State director for LULAC.
Helen Gonzales was born and raised in Socorro, attended Mt. Carmel Catholic School for eight years and graduated from Socorro High School. For many years, she was actively involved with LULAC. She served as president of the Las Cruces council and as a board member of SER-Jobs For Progress, Inc., while also attending New Mexico State University and raising a family.
Gonzales became the Deputy State Director, and then was elected and served two terms as state director. While state director, Helen enjoyed the challenges of the position and worked tirelessly to ensure that the office was run in an efficient, honest and professional manner. She obtained funding from various state and national corporations to fund the office, publish the NM LULAC magazine, set up numerous job fairs, career seminars etc.
She served on the National board of directors of LULAC National Education Service Center and traveled throughout the United States and frequently to Washington, D.C., to meet with national LULAC leaders on issues affecting minorities, many times at her own expense.
Helen Gonzales died in November, 2002. Her husband, Ernest Gonzales, accepted the award on behalf of his late wife.

LULAC Director Posthumously Honored