WHEREAS, Manuela "Manuelita" de la Cruz Garcia, mother, grandmother, community activist, and beloved resident of Little Village, passed away in May of 2022 at 96 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Manuela's passing by the Honorable Michael D. Rodriguez, Alderman ofthe 22nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Manuela was employed by General Motors before blossoming into the activist she will be remembered as; she fought for access to education opportunities, despite not having the chance pursue an advanced education herself; and
WHEREAS, Manuela was fierce with her beliefs and was renowned for getting to know school officials and calling other parents to tell them when the next school meeting was; she was able to claim public spaces for women and children in Little Village without even realizing she was doing it; she was known as a keeper of culture and memories; and
WHEREAS, Manuela will always be remembered for her actions in 2001, when she and 13 others made the most powerful, desperate, and selfless decision to acquire access to education for the youth of their community by leading a 19-day hunger strike; these actions led to the erection and opening of the Little Village Lawndale High School campus and the sacrifices she and the other protestors made still bear much fruit in the community; and
WHEREAS, Manuela recognized that, while she was passionate about access to education, having an advanced education is not an absolute requirement to getting involved in the community, and she exemplified that idea, engaging with many local officials, including President Obama while he was campaigning for United States Senate, and being honored by the United States Congress for her efforts; and
WHEREAS, Manuela was a giant in the community; she will be deeply missed by her family, friends, the community she so deeply impacted, and all who knew and loved her; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-second day of June, 2022, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Manuela de la Cruz Garcia; and
MICHAEL D. RODRIGUEZ Alderman, 22nd Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Manuela de la Cruz Garcia as a sign of our honor and respect.