Chicago City Council
September 21, 2022
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MYRNA SALAZAR
WHEREAS, It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we learn the passing of Myrna Salazar—a once-in-a-lifetime visionary and creator of possibility, and Chicago Icon; and
WHEREAS, Myrna was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and raised in Chicago-both dualities drove her to champion Latino representation, demand equity, and ultimately, pave the way for countless generations to come; and
WHEREAS, She was a Latina Trailblazer whose impact within art, education, and business throughout the City is an ode to the many shattered ceilings and countless rooms she unapologetically took every inch of space in; and
WHEREAS, Myrna was a pioneer who led many dynamic roles such being crowned Queen of the first Chicago Puerto Rican Day Parade in 1966; and
WHEREAS, She began her career working at the West Town Economic Development Corporation as an Economic Development Specialist, where she generated millions in the procurement housing and business development, contributing to the development of Paseo Boricua and Humboldt Park; and
WHEREAS, Myrna was the Founder and President of Salazar & Navas Talent Agency Inc., a talent agency she ran for over 25 years that launched or furthered the careers of many beloved Chicago artists like Justina Machado, Aimee Garza, Nadine Velazquez, Ricky Gambao, Sandra Delgado, and Miranda Gonzalez; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980's, she was a member ofthe Chicago Board of Education, where she used her platform to advocate for bilingual programming and to bring educators from abroad who furthered her mission; and
WHEREAS, Myrna co-founded the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance in addition to three of the most prominent Latino cultural institutions in Chicago: The National Museum of Mexican Art, The International Latino Cultural Center, and The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, she was a Member of the Choose Chicago Board, Member of the League of Chicago Theaters Board, and Member of the City of Chicago Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs and Special Events; and
WHEREAS, Myrna's greatest work was undeniably the creation of the "Destinos: The Chicago International Latino Theater Festival" (Destinos), Chicago's annual citywide festival that showcases Latino theater artists and companies from Chicago, the U.S., and Latin America; and
WHEREAS, This year, Destinos is dedicated to Myrna and will run it's fifth year from September 14-October 16, 2022, with a total of 13 productions—local productions like "Colectivo El Pozo" and "The Wizards", and international productions like "Pequenos territorios en Reconstruction"; and
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Chicago City Council
September 21,2022
WHEREAS, The creation ofthe Destinos Festival has led to the largest impact on the cultivation of Chicago Latino theater, not only as a display of Latino theater, but as an incubator beyond the Festival through the establishment of equitable opportunity with investment in new or overlooked theaters; and
WHEREAS, It was a privilege to know her and her neverending passion, love, and energy-she was a true changemaker at a time that was especially difficult and unheard of for Women, muchless, Latinas-as a result, her legacy is deeply woven into Chicago's past, present, and future; and
WHEREAS, Myrna is survived by her children Yvette (Steve) Sharp, lliana (Greg) Romero, stepson Christopher Dovalina; grandchildren Ariela Romero, Andres Romero, Gabriela Bibbens, and Gabe Sharp; mother, Carmen Rosado Feliciano; sister, Carmen Salazar; and preceded in death by her second husband, Cesar Dovalina; and, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago gathered here on this 21st Day of September 2022, do hereby express our sorrow with the passing of Myrna Salazar and extend our sincere condolences to the countless lives she impacted, and honor the legacy she deeply established within the fabric of Chicago's collective and diverse identity.
Gilbert Villegas Alderman, 36th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Myrna Salazar's family as a symbol of gratitude for her selfless contributions and immense impact toward growth within the Latino community and the City of Chicago.
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RESOLUTION: TRIBUTE TO LATE MYRNA SALAZAR
RECORD NO.: R2022-962
Chicago City Council
CCCOC CO-SPONSOR
September 21, 2022
GILBERT VILLI
CCCLC, Chair 36th Ward Alderman
SILVANA TABARES
CCCLC, Vice Chair 23rd Ward Alderman
ANDRES VAS
CCCLC, Trea! 40th Ward Alderman
MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
CCCLC, Member
CLCF, Chair
22nd Ward Alderperson
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BYRON SIGCMO-LOPEZ
CCCLC, Member 25th Ward Alderman
CARLOS RAMIREZ-ROSA
CCCLC, Secretary 35th Ward Alderman
DANIEL LA SPATA
CCCLC, Member 1st Ward Alderman
SUSAN SADLOWSKI-GARZA
CCCLC, Member 10th Ward Alderwoman
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GEORGE CARDENAS
CCCLC, Member 12th Ward Alderman
ROBERTO MALDONADO
CCCLC, Member 26th Ward Alderman
ARIEL REBOYRAS
CCCLC, Member 30th Ward Alderman
-"pELlX CftRDONA,
CCCLC, Member 31st Ward Alderman
ROSSANA RODRIGUEZ-SANCHEZ
CCCLC, Member 33rd Ward Alderwoman