City Council appointment honors Castro’s life’s work

At long last, we can write Rosie Castro is a member of San Antonio City Council.

Mother to former San Antonio Mayor and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, Rosie Castro is a leading San Antonio political figure in her own right.

The longtime activist first ran for City Council in 1971, but there were discriminatory forces that kept her on the outside of San Antonio politics. At the time, City Council seats were decided through at-large elections, and the Good Government League, comprising mostly Anglo businessmen, exerted political control.

But Castro and others fought this discriminatory system. She was a plaintiff in a federal Voting Rights Act lawsuit that created single-member districts in 1977, which led to much more diverse representation on council. Not only did this lead to better, more accurate and equitable representation for the community, it also launched any number of political careers.

More than 50 years later, Castro now will serve on City Council thanks to a well-earned appointment. She replaces former District 7 City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, who gave up her seat in January. Castro will hold the seat until June, after a winner is determined in the May 6 election.

This is a win for so many reasons. Castro has a wealth of experience with the city of San Antonio and Palo Alto College. She has served on many boards and is active in the community. She will ensure responsive constituent services and full representation for the district.

And because the appointment is temporary, it paves the way for an open election for the next District 7 representative.

The truest measure of progress can be seen over the course of a lifetime. This milestone reflects progress.