
DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Human Rights and the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs is pleased to announce three outstanding Latinos to be inducted into the 2017 Iowa Latino Hall of Fame.
The honorees are:
- Henry Vargas (Davenport): Founding member of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission and what is now called the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs and the Office of Latino Affairs.
- Ila Plasencia (West Des Moines): Community volunteer, organizer and activist. Served in the first Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs, Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Iowa Status of Women Commission and many more organizations.
- Mary Campos (Des Moines): Mentor, role model and advocate. First Latina appointed to the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, and co-chair of the Iowa Brown-Black Presidential Forum.
The Iowa Latino Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place Saturday, October 7, 2017, at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust in Des Moines at 9:30 a.m. in conjunction with Latino Heritage Month, September 15 — October 15, which celebrates the Latino heritage, culture, and contributions. This event is free and open to the public and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
To celebrate Latino heritage and honor Iowa’s Latinos who have made outstanding and significant cultural, political, social, and economic contributions to Iowa, the Iowa of Commission of Latino Affairs established the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame in 2017 and will induct 3 Latinos/as, paying tribute to them and setting them forth as role models for others, ensuring that their legacy is never forgotten.
For more information, please visit our website or contact Sonia Reyes-Snyder/Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Office of Latino Affairs at 515-281-4080 or Sonia.Reyes-[email protected].