Irene Peña Cipriano Collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: Coll-252

Staff Only

The collection consists of two scrapbooks dating from 1982 to 1993 and two photo albums of the same time period. The content includes documents and photographs of Irene Peña Cipriano’s community service as President of the Ladies L.U.L.A.C. Council #26 for five years, her work as Vice President of the Port Ayers American G.I. Forum, and her service for the e Mexican American Democrat organization and the Spanish Genealogist Association.

Dates

1983-1993

Creator

Cipriano, Irene Peña, 1940- (Person)

Language of Materials

English; Spanish

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@tamucc.edu

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 banker's box) : 2 scrapbooks, 2 photo albums

Abstract

The Irene Peña Cipriano Collection consists of two scrapbooks and two photograph albums detailing and illustrating Irene Cipriano's community and political service to Corpus Christi, the Ladies L.U.L.A.C. Council #26, the American G.I. Forum of the United States, the Mexican American Democrat organization, and the Spanish American Genealogist Association. Her committment to community service, generosity and hard work brought her in touch with many leaders who sought to make positive changes for all peoples in Texas in the last 30 years of the 20th Century.

Biographical / Historical

Irene Peña Cipriano was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. From the age of 17 to 19, she was a member of Dr. Hector P. Garcia’s Junior GI Forum. She was the first Registered Cardiologist Technician in Corpus Christi. She worked at the Cardiopulmonary Lab implementing and recording the results of the cardiac monitors on patients and was the office manager for this group of cardiologists for twenty years. Mrs. Cipriano also worked as an adjunct professor at Del Mar college and a notary public. In 1988 Mrs. Cipriano began to devote her energy and time to community organizations. She became a representative on the Board of the Nueces County Community Action Agency for five years, President of Ladies LULAC Council #26 for five years, Vice-President of the Port Ayers American G.I. Forum, member of the Spanish American Genealogist Association, and a Better Business Bureau Arbitrator. Cipriano’s first concern was to help those in need. After a school principal let her know that many children missed school due to lacking adequate clothing, she started a program to help children obtain first shoes and that led her to other needs which were coats for the winter. She nominated little heralded Hispanic educators for recognition for their innovative ideas and dedication and requested help from pharmaceutical companies to fund necessary vaccines for nursing students who could not afford the vaccines. Voting rights for Mexican Americans was another of her concerns, along with assisting people to get to the polls, as well as supporting many candidates and public officials in their campaign for equal rights for all peoples. In 1989 Irene Peña Cipriano received the National Women of the Year Award in Washington D.C. through the League of United Latin American Citizens. In 1993 she was nominated by Senator Carlos Truan into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, for Civic Volunteer Leadership. She was a recipient of Achievement Awards, Appreciation Awards, a letter of congratulations from former President George Bush, Certificate of Volunteer Service from both former Texas Governor Ann Richards and Bill Clemmons, and a Certificate of Commendation by Mayor Mary Rhodes of Corpus Christi in 1992. In 1993 Irene Pena Cipriano returned to work in the medical field and her last twelve years were spent working at Doctors Regional Hospital.