Dora Valdez — a human rights activist and a staple in Colorado’s Latino community — has passed away at the age of 98.
Valdez passed on Oct. 23 and leaves behind a legacy of assisting with migrant farmworker issues, helping minorities become business owners, working to get the Fair Employment Act passed, and much more. She also served on various boards and committees like Mi Casa Resource Center for Women and AARP El Comité. Her and her husband, Bernie Valdez — another well-known activ- ist who worked to break barriers for Latinos in Denver’s local government and community — were also co-found- ers of the Latin American Educational Foundation which provides scholarships to Colorado Hispanic and Latino youth to mitigate financial barriers.
Valdez was born in 1924 in the San Luis Valley and worked for the War Food Administration which was responsible for the production and distribution of food to meet war and essential civilian needs during World War II. At that time, Valdez met Bernie and the two eventually had three children together. She graduated from Barns Business College in Denver.
Valdez strived to assist farm workers with housing needs and to address poverty and eventually met with activist Cesar Chavez. Her impact on Latino leaders was felt in the Colorado General Assembly as well as a mentor and supporter. Ruben Valdez, who was the first Hispanic Speaker of the House in Colorado, said Valdez gave him guidance and others when registering to run for public office.
Outside of community activism and mentorship, Valdez worked in office management for former Denver Mayor Bill McNichols for 12 years, served under former Denver Mayor Federico Peña, and worked for former Denver District Attorney Dale Tooley.
Valdez volunteered for numerous organizations in her life like Centro San Juan Diego, a Hispanic Ministry that provides educational services to Latinos in Denver, and AARP.
With her husband, Valdez helped to establish bylaws for LARASA which was formed in 1964 to document the struggle to improve the life of Latinos. The organiza- tion was created with the intention to develop research, provide services and address economic conditions that Latinos faced. LARASA published reports on topics that are still relevant today like immigration, Latino health issues, bilingual education, and more.
Today, the organization, now known as the Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization, (CLLARO) hosts an annual “Bernie Valdez Awards” ceremony to recognize community leaders who have helped impact the lives of Latinos in Colorado.
“My husband and I were quite active, and we were always interested in being part of the community and helping it to be good,” Valdez told La Voz in a 2017 interview.
Valdez leaves behind a legacy of improving the lives of Latinos and Hispanics in Colorado. Her kindness and dedication to wanting her community to be a better place will be felt for generations.
