Austin Public Library and the Library Foundation will present Legends Mosaics: Austin's Courageous Female Leaders of Color, six commemorative mosaic portraits produced in a collaboration between Latinitas, Austin's only bilingual STEM nonprofit for 20 years and six Austin female artists of color outside the central library branch (710 W. Cesar Chavez) on the East Pavillion on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 10:30 am.
Honored through art:
Dr. Martha Cotera, founding member Chicana Caucus
Dr. Teresa Lozano Long, educator, philanthropist
Dr. Bertha Sadler Means, educator, social justice advocate
Sylvia Orozco, founder Mexic-Arte Museum
Peggy Vasquez, producer, journalist, social justice advocate
There will be a special acknowledgement to Ana Sisnett, pioneer for tech access in marginalized communities who is immortalized in a permanent mural at Holly Commons, 2400 E. East Cesar Chavez.
The mosaic art pieces were created in accordance with Latinitas 2021 Purple Party for Chica Power Rock the Block Party in June, at Holly Commons, where the 7th mosaic of Ana Sisnett, Austin's "Technomama" is on display permanently. They were designed by Austin artists Carmen Rangel, Lys Santamaria, Litzy Valdez, Lola Rodriguez and Veronica Ceci. The Library Foundation is generously manufacturing the permanent display structure.
Rep. Gina Hinojosa will be presenting remarks on women's leadership and Austin City Council Members Vanessa Fuentes and Natasha Harper Madison will present each courageous leader and their mosaic. Each rendition was originally sponsored by corporate partners eBay, Dell, Inc., Siete Foods, HEB and Deloitte.
Latinitas founder Laura Donnelly explains, "These women were fighting for equity in education, public leadership, the arts, technology and even public spaces long before the climate of listening we are experiencing now. They were the first of their communities to run for office, graduate with PhD.s and fight segregation in Austin's most popular spaces. The magnitude of what all these women have done for Austin's culture is immeasurable and certainly there would absolutely not be a Latinitas without them."
Austin Public Library President Roosevelt Weeks added, "These women of color have been the backbone of this great city and I am excited that their stories will live on at the Austin Public Library."
Available for interview:
Latinitas Founder, CEO, Laura Donnelly
Director of Libraries, Austin Public Library, Roosevelt Weeks
Living honorees: Sylvia Orozco, Peggy Vasquez, Cathy Vasquez Revilla, Meredith Sisnett, daughter of Ana Sisnett, members of the Sadler Means family
Corporate Representatives from eBay, HEB
Artists:
Carmen Rangel
Lys Santamaria
Litzy Valdez
Lola Rodriguez
Veronica Ceci
AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Austin Public Library is a part of the City of Austin and includes the Central Library, 20 branches, Recycled Reads bookstore, and the Austin History Center. The Austin Public Library provides knowledge, technology, and inspiration.
| 
