Chavela Lozada, also known as the “Mother of West Dallas,” grew up without a community center. However, she wanted to change that for the kids in West Dallas. Lozada participated in marches to persuade Dallas City Council to fund the Anita Martinez Recreation Center. Since the center opened, she was a volunteer and helped with the numerous activities and programs it offered (KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection, 1989).
Chavela sought opportunities to improve the lives of West Dallas residents and eventually influenced many other residents to volunteer. Her service to her community was recognized in 1991 in Washington, DC when she received an award (Jackson, 2021). Chavela saw the needs of her community and impacted the lives of many. She continues to serve in this community. In 2004 she was given a volunteer award by Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary School and in 2010 she was an election worker.
Watch the video below to hear from Chavela and what inspires her to be a leader.
Sources:
Jackson, E. (2021, January 24). West Dallas community history exhibit. Dallas Public Library. http://dallaslibrary2.org/blogs/bookedSolid/2021/01/west-dallas-community-history-exhibit/
KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection. (1989, June 24). Chavela Lozada. [Video]. The Portal to Texas History. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc904974/m1/?q=%22Arts%20and%20Crafts%20-%20Crafts%22