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Fullerton woman honored with Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama presents human rights activist Sylvia Mendez with the 2010 Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White Houseon on Feb. 15, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 12 pioneers in human rights, sports, labor, politics and arts.
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez is presented with the 2010 Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama during an East Room event at the White House Feb. 15, 2011 in Washington, DC.
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Alex Wong/Getty Images
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Fullerton's Sylvia Mendez, who played a role in the civil rights movement, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Tuesday.
Mendez's parents sued a school district in Orange County when some of their children were not allowed to enroll in a Westminster school in 1943. That lawsuit, aimed at ending the practice of school districts having “white” and “Mexican” schools, laid the groundwork for Brown v. Board of Education, which was meant to end school segregation.
When the Mendez family finally won and helped end segregation in California schools in 1947, Mendez came home from school one day upset.
“She went home in tears, begging to leave the school,” President Barack Obama said Tuesday in a ceremony at the White House with the award winners. “Her mother wouldn't have it. She told Sylvia, ‘Don't you realize that's why we went to court? We're just as good as he is.' Sylvia took those words to heart.”
Mendez frequently visits schools and other forums to tell her family's story and place in civil rights history.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, also praised Mendez.
“It brings great pride to the people of Orange County that Sylvia Mendez (received) this award,” Sanchez said. “Sylvia's powerful testimony, given at the tender age of 9, led to a landmark decision giving Mexican-American families in Orange County access to an abundance of educational resources and opportunities previously restricted by the color of their skin.
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“Sylvia has worked her entire life to create opportunities for others, crisscrossing the country to give lectures on the importance of educational equality. Her courage and dedication serve as an example and inspiration to us all. This award -- the highest a civilian can receive -- honors Sylvia Mendez for her steadfast commitment to the Fourteenth Amendment and her historic contribution to our county and our country.”
Others receiving the Medal of Freedom on Tuesday include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, investor Warren Buffett, musician Yo-Yo Ma and former AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney.
Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony
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