SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 — As UTSA continues to honor Hispanic Heritage Month by showcasing community leaders, faculty, staff and students under the theme “Voces de Resistencia / Visions of Resilience,” one event will host a special speaker. Rosie Castro M.A. ’83—the civil rights activist, educator and mother to Julián and Joaquin Castro—will deliver a keynote address during “La Luche Sigue: Building on a Legacy from the Past to the Future” (Wednesday, September 30 at 11:30 a.m.).
During “La Lucha Sigue” (“The Struggle Continues”), Castro will speak on the topic of leadership with a goal of helping students understand how the past reflects on their future.
“She was the perfect candidate for the keynote address. She’s an educator, and she is still very active in the community,” said Elvira Leal, assistant vice president for community relations at UTSA. “She has a legacy of activism and being a sort of mujerista, an active voice, not just for women but for all of those that are suffering or that are challenged during these times.”
Castro, who received a master’s in environmental science with a concentration in urban studies from UTSA, has dedicated her life’s work to social justice and civil rights activism. She first became involved in student activism while an undergraduate at Our Lady of the Lake University through the Young Democrats. She went on to volunteer for Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 presidential campaign and continued her legacy of activism in groups such as the Mexican American Unity Council, the Raza Unida Party and also serving as the Bexar County party chair.
During her keynote address, Castro will discuss the life and legacy of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta and the importance of Latino leadership in the community. “We’ll explore different aspects of leadership with how that relates to the kind of leadership that César Chávez and Dolores Huerta were known for,” Castro said.
When asked what one thing she hoped people would gain from her address Castro said, “How important it is to understand our history and to continue to write it and to document it. If you do not document your history, it disappears.”
Though a prominent figure in the community and the mother of two influential political leaders, Castro believes in the importance of self-leadership and the power of individual action.
“A lot of times people look for big heroes, and I’ve never been a big believer of that,” she said. “I think that all of us need to be involved and engaged in issues that we think are important, and not wait for any one individual to be the one that leads the parade.”
UTSA’s commitment to educating students through events like the ones during Hispanic Heritage Month is part of its commitment to serving the community as a Hispanic Serving Institution, as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
In a video created for Hispanic Heritage Month, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy noted “that designation is deeply connected to our purpose and founding here in San Antonio. San Antonio is the city of the future, and we have the potential to be the university of the future, especially if we embrace this notion of Hispanic thriving.”
⇒ Check out more Hispanic Heritage Month events at UTSA.
The event will also feature leaders from UTSA: Leal, who will open the event; Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Myron Anderson; and Eighmy.
Playing a role in this event has special implications for Leal. “I am first-generation college student,” she said.” My father was from Mexico and my mom from Laredo, and they worked hard to provide for eight of us kids. I am grateful for the ability to work with people that have a genuine concern for people.”
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, UTSA will showcase community leaders, faculty, staff and students around significant themes in Hispanic culture. The events aim to inspire the community to face adversity with strength and build resiliency.
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UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
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