City of Santa Ana, CA
10/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/14/2024 13:34
Civil rights pioneers Virginia and William Guzman honored with ceremonial street signs
On October 10, 2024, the City of Santa Ana unveiled the new Virginia & William Guzman Way ceremonial street signs during an emotional and historic event attended by elected officials and members of four families involved in the landmark Mendez v. Westminster case. These signs located on Santa Ana Boulevard at the intersections of Pacific Avenue and Forest Avenue are part of the ceremonial street sign program created by the City Council to recognize individuals of historical significance or those who have contributed to the Santa Ana community.
When Virginia and William Guzman's son was denied attendance at a school for white students instead of the segregated school for Mexican-American students in Santa Ana, they connected with parents in Westminster, El Modena, and Garden Grove and filed Mendez, et al v. Westminster School District of Orange County, et al, in 1946, which helped to end school segregation in California. The case not only set a precedent for later court cases, such as Brown v. Board of Education, but also showcased the Mexican-American community's leadership in fighting for their rights.
Thursday's unveiling ceremony was attended by members of the "et al" families that participated in the lawsuit - the Guzman, Palomino, Estrada and Ramirez families. Mayor Pro Tem Thai Viet Phan, Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez and Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez spoke to the crowd about the significance of this recognition for the Santa Ana community. Congressman Lou Correa and Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento also attended.