LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Noraida Negron,

LAREDO, Texas— On Friday, October 23, 2020, the City of Laredo and District 5 Council Member Nelly Vielma held a press conference to announce the new Jovita Idar “El Progreso” Park, formerly known as Bartlett Park, located at 6002 Thomas Avenue. Mayor Pete Saenz, District 3 Council Member Mercurio Martinez, III, and Assistant City Manager Riazul Mia, joined Council Member Vielma to share details and list the amenities available at this park; they all recognized the effort and the gesture of naming the park after such an iconic woman, as it was Jovita Idar, a Mexican-American journalist, activist, and suffragist born and raised in Laredo in 1885.

As an additional way to honor Jovita Idar’s life, a mural was painted in an area of the park’s trail, by local artist Abel Gonzalez.

Council Member Nelly Vielma took this opportunity to present a few special awards to people that have served the community just as Jovita Idar did in her time. These honorees continue fighting for women’s rights, equality and they work tirelessly to empower women in various aspects of life, such as professional environment, activism, or preserving our history.

The honorees were the following:

Jovita Idar’s 2020 La Voz Del Pueblo! Fearless and Independent Journalism Award

Presented to Maria Eugenia “MEG” Guerra

For staying true to the story and exhibiting consistent fortitude in journalistic service to your community.

Jovita Idar’s 2020–Seguimos en la Lucha! Reconocimiento por seguir la lucha en la Equidad de Genero

Presented to Ninfa Cantu de Andar

For serving to bring forth inequities and finding the level playing field in your life’s work and interests in los dos Laredos

Jovita Idar’s 2020-Viva La Raza! Award for Historical research and promotion of our Mexican American Cultural Roots and Education

Presented to Dr. Gabriela Gonzalez

For keeping the story alive and passing it on to other generations as an educator, may we never forget our cultural roots.

Jovita Idar’s 2020–Viva Laredo! Community Cultural Heritage Award

Presented to Margarita Araiza

For being the guardian of Laredo’s stories past and for working towards bridging it to the present

Jovita Idar’s 2020– La Cruz Blanca Award for Promoting Care & Human Stewardship

Presented to Diana E. Espinoza

For living your beliefs, and showing Laredo that care of people is your utmost goal in life, by passing on the profession through educating others

Jovita Idar’s 2020—La Cultura de la Raza Award

Presented to Abel Gonzalez

For your artistic expression and immortalizing Laredo’s fregonas de la historia