A People’s History of the Inland Empire Digital Archive

Certificate of Appreciation presented to St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico by the Naval Weapons Center

2022.002.006

document

A certificate of appreciation given to St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico by the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, California for the group's contributions during National Hispanic Heritage Week, 1977. Hispanic Week was established by legislation sponsored by Rep. Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. In 1988, the commemorative week was expanded to a month (September 15 to October 15). The certificate reads "Naval Weapons Center China Lake, California Certificate of Appreciation presented to Redlands St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico "74" for outstanding contributions to the EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM National Hispanic Heritage Week during the period 11 SEPT to 17 SEPT 1977 awarded on this 13th day of December 1977." The certificate is signed by the Spanish Speaking Program Coordinator and the Deputy EEO Officer. St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico was established at the behest of parents by Petra Lopez, Mary L. Hernandez, Juan Jose Ruiz de la Torre, and Jose Pepe Roa in 1974. Originally the group was supported by St Mary's Catholic Church but later relocated to Orangewood High School. Since 1974 the group has performed across Southern California.

St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico of Redlands

Cultural Celebrations

Naval Weapons Center in China Lake (Calif.)

1974-1977

Naval Weapons Center

12/13/1977

Inland Mexican Heritage

.pdf

English

Vasquez, Antonio Gonzalez, and Genevieve Carpio. Mexican Americans in Redlands. Charleston, S.C: Arcadia Publishing, 2012.