Across Arizona Tours
Legacy of Courage: Tolleson to honor desegregation history
Tolleson to honor desegregation history
Elementary district paying tribute to those who fought for equal rights in
schools
View photo by Michael Clawson
PHOENIX CONSTRUCTION WORKER Humberto Valenzuela smooths out fresh cement
March 16 at P.H. Gonzales Elementary School in Tolleson. The school is
installing a tribute to desegregation in front of the school.
Emily McCann
staff writer
Sixty years ago, children in Tolleson were separated at school by the color
of their skin until a group of parents banded together to fight for equal
rights.
The Tolleson Elementary District will pay tribute at 6 p.m. Friday at
Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary, 9401 W. Garfield St., to the people and
landmark decision that desegregated their schools.
It started in 1949 when a 16-year-old boy, John "Juan" Camacho, challenged
the district's policy to segregate pupils. He went before the school board,
but saw no results.
The next year, parents filed a lawsuit against the district with the help of
three attorneys who donated their services, and Gonzales vs. Sheely was
heard in the U.S. District Court of Arizona.
On March 26, 1951, a judge ruled that segregation of children in separate
buildings because of racial or national origin constitutes a denial of the
equal protection of the laws guaranteed to petitioners as citizens of the
United States.
Goodyear resident Mary Ellen Gannon, 69, was in fourth grade when the
decision was handed down. Her father, Porfirio Gonzales, was the lead
plaintiff in the case.
"My father was a very humble person," she said. "He and this group of people
did what they had to do and never expected recognition. They were very brave
and fought for what was right."
One of the district's elementary schools was named after Gonzales, who died
in 2006 at the age of 90. Now, a tribute panel sits in front of the campus
to honor everyone involved. Part of it reads:
"This memorial is dedicated to all the brave individuals that fought with
great courage and humility to bring an end to the segregation of the
Tolleson Elementary Schools. They believed in the spirit of the United
States Constitution, that all children will be afforded the right to a truly
equal education. Their legacy is a firm reminder that the fight for social
justice continues."
The people who signed the suit were John "Juan" Camacho, Cruz Gonzales de
Contreras, Faustino Curiel, Isauro and Lupe Favela, Angelita Fuentes,
Trinidad Gem Jr., Joe Gonzales, Porfirio Gonzales, Patsy Murrieta, Manuel
Pena Sr. and Manuel "Lito" Pena Jr. The attorneys were Ralph Estrada, Greg
Garcia and A.L. Wirin.
The panel's wording was put together by a committee made up of their
relatives and also community leaders who are well-versed with the history,
including Mayor Adolfo Gamez.
"It's very important that we remember this history in Tolleson and the
people who sacrificed in many ways to make this a reality in terms of
desegregation of the schools," Gamez said.
"Most importantly is to remember that this is something that shouldn't
happen again. That's the message we were trying to send, and make sure kids
understand the history of this community."
Multiple people have been invited to speak at the event, including a pupil
from the district's JAG program and also a member of the Tolleson Teen
Council.
"Our youth speakers are symbolic of the power of the youth voice as agents
of change," P.H. Gonzales Principal Juan Medrano said.
A reception in the school cafeteria will follow the ceremony.
The tribute panel was included with other major renovations made at P.H.
Gonzales Elementary, including a new administration building and additional
science, computer and math classrooms.
The $2.9 million project added 11,800 square feet to the campus, which
accommodates about 930 pupils. The district used bond and adjacent ways
money.
"We've been very active in upgrading technologies by bringing in Smart
Boards and getting our kids better connected with more modern and advanced
technologies, so this building here in terms of its wiring capabilities,
supports that much better than our old building did," Medrano said.
Emily McCann can be reached by e-mail at emccann@westvalleyview.com.
Leonardo A. Gem
Group & Corporate Director
888-533-1813
602-403-2602
*www.AcrossArizonaTours.com*
Legacy of Courage: Tolleson to honor desegregation history
Tolleson to honor desegregation history
Elementary district paying tribute to those who fought for equal rights in
schools
View photo by Michael Clawson
PHOENIX CONSTRUCTION WORKER Humberto Valenzuela smooths out fresh cement
March 16 at P.H. Gonzales Elementary School in Tolleson. The school is
installing a tribute to desegregation in front of the school.
Emily McCann
staff writer
Sixty years ago, children in Tolleson were separated at school by the color
of their skin until a group of parents banded together to fight for equal
rights.
The Tolleson Elementary District will pay tribute at 6 p.m. Friday at
Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary, 9401 W. Garfield St., to the people and
landmark decision that desegregated their schools.
It started in 1949 when a 16-year-old boy, John "Juan" Camacho, challenged
the district's policy to segregate pupils. He went before the school board,
but saw no results.
The next year, parents filed a lawsuit against the district with the help of
three attorneys who donated their services, and Gonzales vs. Sheely was
heard in the U.S. District Court of Arizona.
On March 26, 1951, a judge ruled that segregation of children in separate
buildings because of racial or national origin constitutes a denial of the
equal protection of the laws guaranteed to petitioners as citizens of the
United States.
Goodyear resident Mary Ellen Gannon, 69, was in fourth grade when the
decision was handed down. Her father, Porfirio Gonzales, was the lead
plaintiff in the case.
"My father was a very humble person," she said. "He and this group of people
did what they had to do and never expected recognition. They were very brave
and fought for what was right."
One of the district's elementary schools was named after Gonzales, who died
in 2006 at the age of 90. Now, a tribute panel sits in front of the campus
to honor everyone involved. Part of it reads:
"This memorial is dedicated to all the brave individuals that fought with
great courage and humility to bring an end to the segregation of the
Tolleson Elementary Schools. They believed in the spirit of the United
States Constitution, that all children will be afforded the right to a truly
equal education. Their legacy is a firm reminder that the fight for social
justice continues."
The people who signed the suit were John "Juan" Camacho, Cruz Gonzales de
Contreras, Faustino Curiel, Isauro and Lupe Favela, Angelita Fuentes,
Trinidad Gem Jr., Joe Gonzales, Porfirio Gonzales, Patsy Murrieta, Manuel
Pena Sr. and Manuel "Lito" Pena Jr. The attorneys were Ralph Estrada, Greg
Garcia and A.L. Wirin.
The panel's wording was put together by a committee made up of their
relatives and also community leaders who are well-versed with the history,
including Mayor Adolfo Gamez.
"It's very important that we remember this history in Tolleson and the
people who sacrificed in many ways to make this a reality in terms of
desegregation of the schools," Gamez said.
"Most importantly is to remember that this is something that shouldn't
happen again. That's the message we were trying to send, and make sure kids
understand the history of this community."
Multiple people have been invited to speak at the event, including a pupil
from the district's JAG program and also a member of the Tolleson Teen
Council.
"Our youth speakers are symbolic of the power of the youth voice as agents
of change," P.H. Gonzales Principal Juan Medrano said.
A reception in the school cafeteria will follow the ceremony.
The tribute panel was included with other major renovations made at P.H.
Gonzales Elementary, including a new administration building and additional
science, computer and math classrooms.
The $2.9 million project added 11,800 square feet to the campus, which
accommodates about 930 pupils. The district used bond and adjacent ways
money.
"We've been very active in upgrading technologies by bringing in Smart
Boards and getting our kids better connected with more modern and advanced
technologies, so this building here in terms of its wiring capabilities,
supports that much better than our old building did," Medrano said.
Emily McCann can be reached by e-mail at emccann@westvalleyview.com.
Leonardo A. Gem
Group & Corporate Director
888-533-1813
602-403-2602
*www.AcrossArizonaTours.com*