Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in 1992, becoming the first Latina of Mexican heritage to be appointed to the Federal Bench. She served as Chief Judge of the District Court, as a Judge of the Superior Court in San Diego County, and as a U.S.
Honoree Mario Gutierrez is being escorted by Assembly Member Ian Calderon and Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez
Mario Gutierrez is a Mexican thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He began racing Quarter Horses in his native Veracruz and in Mexico City at the age 14. In 2006 he emigrated to Canada where he won riding titles in 2007 and 2008. In 2012 he rode ‘I'll Have Another’ and won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. He followed it up with a win in the Santa Anita Derby, and on May 5, 2012, Mario rode his way to his first Kentucky Derby win on his first Kentucky Derby mount.
Honoree Ezequiel Peña is being escorted by Senator Ben Hueso and Assembly Member Anthony Rendon
Ezequiel Peña is recognized as one of the leaders in both mariachi and banda music. He began his career at the age of 12, mostly influenced by local traditional music. In the early 90’s Ezequiel was the lead singer of Banda Vallarta Show, but left to pursue his solo career. He achieved international recognition in the mid-'90s after teaming up with Marco Antonio Solís to release “Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Verdes” in 1994 and “Orgullo Ranchero” in 1996. Releasing nearly an album a year, Peña has continued his ascension in the banda and mariachi music genre in his 25 year music career.
Honorees are being escorted by Assembly Member Henry T. Perea
Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education. HOPE was founded in 1989 by a dynamic and politically influential group of Latinas representing the full spectrum of business, political, and social tenets. In 1999, the organization established its HOPE Leadership Institute (HLI), the first and only statewide leadership program specifically designed for professional Latinas in California. In its 25 years of existence, HOPE’s innovative progr
Honoree John Quiñones being escorted by Senator Alex Padilla and Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva
John Quiñones is a seven time national Emmy Award winning news anchor and journalist who has a 25-year tenure at ABC News. He is the anchor of “What Would You Do?,” one of the highest-rated newsmagazine franchises of recent years. Quiñones has reported extensively for all programs and platforms at ABC News and served as anchor of “Primetime.” He joined ABC News in June 1982 as a general assignment correspondent based in Miami, providing reports for “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings” and other ABC News broadcasts.
Honoree Danny Trejo is escorted by Assembly Member Raul Bocanegra & Assembly Member Cristina Garcia