Two former farmworkers among 16 Latino Spirit awardees
Joe L. Del Bosque was 10 years old when he followed in the footsteps of his Mexican-born father as a melon farmer in western Fresno County was honored Monday as a 2024 Latino Spirit Award for his achievement in agriculture.
The 75-year-old grower of organic melons was among 16 individuals or groups honored by the state Latino Legislative Caucus at a May 6 ceremony. This was the 22nd year the caucus has honored Latino trailblazers during Cinco de Mayo festivities.
“Joe is an example of the best in agriculture in the Central Valley. His work and advocacy has benefited our communities and state,” said Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, who nominated him for the award. “Joe has uplifted Latinos in all of the spaces he has been a trailblazer in.”
Del Bosque – who hosted a visit by President Obama in 2014 to talk about the importance of water – worked on the farm with his father starting at the age of 10. In 1985, he established his own farm where he grows organic melons, tomatoes, almonds, and cherries.
He has been an advocate for the Latino Water Coalition, and often hosts politicians and media at his farm west of Firebaugh.
“I am honored to receive this special recognition from Assemblywoman Soria and the California Latino Legislative Caucus,” said Del Bosque, a Fresno State graduate. “Thank you for recognizing the talents of Latinos across California. We are a diverse community and our contributions span all sectors.
“As a former farmworker and now farmer I am humbled to receive the Spirit Award in Agriculture.”
Also honored was another former farmworkerturned-farmer, José Hernández. He became the first farmworker to fly in outer space, which he did as the flight engineer on the 14-day STS-128 mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery.
Hernández, a vintner who grows and markets his Tierra Luna Cellars wine, applied 12 times to be a NASA astronaut before he was accepted. The Amazon Prime biopic ‘A Million Miles Away’ is based on his 2013 autobiography. He is a member of the UC Board of Regents.
OTHER LATINO SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS
Vanessa Aguilar (youth athletics): The Soledad native, who has played soccer since the age of 8, was called to play in the under-17 division of the Mexican national soccer team. She has played for the Bay Area Surf and San Francisco Glens.
Rafael Agustín (cinema & literature): A writer on the award-winning television show ‘Jane The Virgin,’ he was the founding executive director of the Youth Cinema Project. His memoir ‘Illegally Yours’ was a bestseller.
Cástulo de la Rocha (health care): As president/CEO of AltaMed Health Services Corporation, he has transformed a storefront barrio clinic in East Los Ángeles into the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in the country.
Ignacio A. Gómez (art & civil rights): His ‘Zoot
Suit’ painting of Edward The reporter for Telemundo James Olmos is now in the 48 in the Bay area collection of the Smithsonian has won 10 Emmy American Art Museum. Awards, and has been a He also designed leading voice for the Spanish-speaking the César E. Chávez headstone communities in Keene. of Northern California.
Jorge R. Gutiérrez Dr. Diana E. Ramos (animation & film): He is a (public service & health): voice actor, animator, As the state’s first Latina painter, writer and director Surgeon General, her goal born in México City is to advance the health of and raised in Tijuana. He all Californians. She was and his wife created the raised in South Central Emmy Award-winning Los Ángeles and received animated series ‘El Tigre: her medical degree from The Adventures of Manny the USC Keck School of Rivera.’ Medicine.
Lupita Infante (music Maite Gómez-Rejón and entertainment): The (culinary arts): The founder two-time Latin Grammy of ArtBites uses lectures, nominee is the granddaughter tastings and cooking of iconic Mexican classes to explore the singer/actor Pedro nexus of art and culinary Infante. In 2023, she released history. She has worked in the album ‘Amor restaurants in France and Como En Las Películas de México.
Antes.’ Diana María Riva
Doris Anahí Muñoz (advocacy & entertainment): (art & music): The singer/ The actress starred songwriter, who was born alongside Christina Applegate in Whittier and is now in the Netflix series based in Los Ángeles and ‘Dead to Me.’ Her other México City, founded the credits include ‘McFarland, concert series Solidarity USA’ and ‘Love and For Sanctuary to help her Mercy.’ undocumented parents. Nancy Sutley (public
Pilar Niño (journalism):* service): She heads Los Ángeles Mayor Karen Bass’ policy and programs on the environment, energy and sustainability. She previously led the White House Council on environmental quality in the Obama administration.
Lisa Vidal (advocacy & entertainment): A breast cancer survivor, the veteran actress has worked with the American Cancer Society to raise awareness. Her credits include ‘Boston Legal,’ ‘Star Trek,’ and ‘The Cosby Show.’
MANA de San Diego (community empowerment): The largest chapter of the national Latina organization was established in 1986 to empower Latinas through education, leadership development, community service, and advocacy.
“Each of our 16 honorees is an agent of change who has consistently inspired, impacted and influenced Latinos and made our communities proud,” said Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside and chair of the Latino caucus.