John J. Herrera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John J. Herrera
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| 21st President of the League of United Latin American Citizens | |
| In office 1952–1953 |
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| Preceded by | George J. Garza |
| Succeeded by | Albert Armendariz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 12, 1910 Vernon Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 1986 (aged 76) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Carmen Luisa García
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | South Texas College of Law Houston (LLB) |
| Occupation | Attorney, activist |
John James Herrera (born April 12, 1910 – died October 12, 1986) was an important American lawyer and activist. He was a key leader in the Chicano Movement, which worked for the rights of Mexican Americans. Herrera spent his life fighting for fairness and equality for people of Latino heritage in the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John J. Herrera was born in Cravens, a small community in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. His family had a history of public service; his great-great-grandfather was José Francisco Ruiz, a well-known politician and soldier.
Herrera grew up in the city of Houston, Texas. He went to Sam Houston High School. Interestingly, Lyndon B. Johnson, who later became a U.S. President, was one of his teachers there.
After high school, Herrera studied law at the South Texas College of Law Houston. To pay for his studies, he worked hard as a laborer and a taxi driver. He earned his law degree, becoming a lawyer.
Fighting for Rights: John Herrera's Career
John Herrera began his legal career in Houston, Texas, in 1943. He also joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in 1933. LULAC is one of the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organizations in the United States.
Ending Discrimination in Work and Schools
During World War II, Herrera worked to stop unfair treatment against Mexican Americans. He helped fight against job discrimination in Houston shipyards, where many people worked.
In 1948, Herrera joined a legal team for an important court case. This case, called Minerva Delgado v. Bastrop Independent School District, challenged school segregation. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that separating Mexican American students in schools was against the law in Texas. This was a big step forward for equal education.
The Hernandez v. Texas Case
One of Herrera's most famous contributions was to the 1954 case of Hernandez v. Texas. He wrote the legal papers for this case. The case argued that it was unfair and against the U.S. Constitution to exclude Mexican Americans from serving on juries.
The case went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the country. The Supreme Court agreed with Herrera's arguments and decided in favor of Mr. Hernandez. This ruling was a major victory for civil rights, ensuring that Mexican Americans could not be excluded from juries.
Leadership and Political Involvement
Herrera was a dedicated member of the Democratic Party throughout his life. He served as the president of LULAC from 1952 to 1953. He continued to be active in the organization for many years, even into the 1970s and 1980s.
On November 21, 1963, John Herrera had the honor of introducing President John F. Kennedy at a LULAC meeting. This was just one day before President Kennedy's assassination.
Later Life
John J. Herrera passed away in Houston in 1986. His important papers and documents are kept at the Houston Public Library. They serve as a record of his lifelong work for justice and equality.
See also
