|
|
Date and Issue: Volume I, Number 3, 1983.
Are you sure you want me?" exclaimed Lynda Carter, international super star, when she received the phone call from the President of the Hispanic Women's Council of Los Angeles, naming her Hispanic Woman of the Year for 1983.
Indeed they wanted her. Lynda accepted.
"Buy why her?" have asked many skeptics, to which Elizabeth Chavez, council president answers, "Ms. Carter was chosen for the award because of her success in her chosen profession, her success as a businesswoman, and because of her image as a woman of consciousness."
Lynda's Hispanic background has become a topic of interest to the Hispanic community because until recently, few knew that she was of Mexican descent.
Her ethnicity is of interest because of the lack of positive role models in film and television for Hispanics. Needless to say, Lynda qualifies as an outstanding role model because of her many achievements as a celebrity. But, not only is she a gorgeous entertainer, she is also a humanitarian. Her active involvement in the World Hunger Campaign to feed the hungry children of the world is a fact. She also sponsors a child in a foreign country through "Save the Children."
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, of a Mexican mother, and British father, Lynda is the youngest of three children. Her mother's full name is Jean Cordoba Carter. She and her daughter Pamela (Lynda's sister) Cole flew in from Phoenix to be with Lynda for the award presentation at the exclusive Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, on April 14, 1983.
The $125 a plate, black-tie affair was celebrated by 700 influential citizens and politicians (mostly Hispanics). Among those present were Los Angeles Mayor, Tom Bradley and Deputy Mayor, Grace Montanez Davis. (The Honorable Deputy Mayor is also Hispanic. She is of Mexican-American heritage, and has been Deputy Mayor since 1975.)
Lynda's acceptance speech was loving and spontaneous. Her words were warmly received and earned her the acclaim and admiration of those present.
“…I am half-Hispanic! But half is everything! Isn't it? “…The fire never burns out!... I am very, very, proud to receive this honor from such dignified, talented people. My people!
"I am of Hispanic background…" She joked, "Wearing the American Flag for five years doesn't exactly get you `Woman of the Year.' (She was referring to her Wonder Woman costume.)...
"I want to thank the Hispanic Women's Council for having given me the opportunity to stand with them because a lot of people don't realize that Lynda Carter, from Phoenix, Arizona, is indeed a Hispanic.
"And that I am! And that I am!" she reaffirmed. "I am very proud..." Her words were drowned out in the exuberant applause.
She continued, "These women here tonight, I've seen them on KCET (Public Broadcasting TV station in Los Angeles), working for the Junior League, and for many more organizations. They're big and important; a dignified group of people that will help to change what people think. That's what we're doing here tonight.
"And, I'm humbled with being here in the company of the two women that were honored before me. (Irene Tovar, honored for her community efforts, and Elena V Rios, medical student, honored as a symbol of the women preparing themselves for contributing to a better society.)
"Further, I am honored to see what you've done and what you're trying to do. Women of the Hispanic Women's Council, I am bound to you for the rest of my life. In closing, Lynda cried out, "All of you here tonight, enjoy what my heritage is, because I lift it, I love it, and yes, it does give me my fire! I love you!"
|
|||||
|
