The Herrera Family
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Since their arrival in east Austin, generations of the Herrera family dedicated their lives to education. In 1911, Valentin (1859-1942) and Josefa (1898-1963) Herrera, originally from Mexico, and their seven children moved into a house near the corner of 3rd and Chicon Streets. The house became the center of both a bakery run by Josefa and a Spanish-language school taught by Valentin. Their daughters, Consuelo Herrera Méndez and Mary Grace Herrera, were some of the first Tejana women to teach in a major Texas school system. Consuelo began teaching in Austin Independent School District (AISD) at Comal Street School, a segregated escuelita from 1927-1935, located here at the current site of Comal Park, and Zavala Elementary from 1936-1956. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, Consuelo taught at Brooke Elementary School from 1956-1972. Mary Grace taught first at Fulmore Junior High, then at Palm School for over 35 years. Mary Grace also was the second generation to occupy the family home. Consuelo and her husband, Patricio J. Méndez, founded the Zavala Parent-Teacher Association and were active in local politics. In 1961, Consuelo became president of Ladies League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council No. 202 and served as chair of the state LULAC convention the same year. Mary Grace advocated on behalf of her students and was a key witness in a 1973 federal desegregation trial. Two years after Consuelo’s passing, AISD named the new Mendez Middle School in her honor. From the family home, third generation Diana Herrera Castañeda continued the Herrera’s legacy of education and advocacy until her death. She was elected to the AISD school board in 1992 and was active in LULAC. For three generations, the Herrera family tirelessly advocated on behalf of the students and residents of east Austin. (2022)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
After arriving in East Austin from Mexico in 1911, the Herrera family turned their home near 3rd and Chicon into a bakery and a Spanish-language school. Daughters Consuelo Herrera Méndez and Mary Grace Herrera became among the first Tejana women to teach in a major Texas school system, working in segregated 'escuelitas' and later fighting for their students—Mary Grace testified in a 1973 federal desegregation trial, and Consuelo led LULAC's Ladies League. Across three generations, culminating in school-board member Diana Herrera Castañeda, the family made education and advocacy their life's work.
Why it matters
The Herreras embody the central role Mexican American families and women played in expanding educational opportunity and civil rights in Texas.
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Related people
- · Consuelo Herrera Méndez
- · Mary Grace Herrera
- · Diana Herrera Castañeda
Related events
- · 1973 federal desegregation trial
Themes & tags
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