Sylvia Mendez, of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, was 8 years old when she was denied enrollment to a school based on her race. Back then, Hispanics were not allowed to attend schools that were designated for "whites" only and were sent to so-called "Mexican schools."
Mendez's parents, along with four other Mexican parents, fought for equality for their children and organized different sectors of the Hispanic community to file a lawsuit in the local federal court. The lawsuit would eventually bring the era of segregated education to an end, but when Mendez was finally admitted into the school her parents wanted her to attend, she was faced with bullying. She rose above it and became a nurse.
Mendez retired after 30 years in the field but continues advocating for civil rights, traveling and giving lectures to educate others on the importance and magnitude of the historic events led by her parents. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Barack Obama, the United States' highest civilian honor, on Feb. 15, 2011.
