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Fiesta Mexicana has been an annual event in Topeka, Kansas, since 1933. It serves as a celebration of Mexican culture and a fundraiser for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. This sash belonged to Hazel Gonzales Gomez. She was elected Fiesta Queen in 1943, but she probably wore this sash at a later Fiesta. Gomez was born and raised in Topeka and was very active in the Hispanic community, volunteering with organizations like the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. She credited winning the Fiesta title to one of her volunteer acts. During World War II, Hazel helped found the Y-Senoritas club (YWCA) to help provide social activities for soldiers. As a result, the soldiers helped sell tickets or votes promoting her queen candidacy.
Date: 1943
Item Number: 439358
Call Number: 2012.26.2
KSHS Identifier: 2012.26.2
Community Life - Events and Celebrations - Fiestas
Date - 1940s - 1943
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Personal Symbol - Sash
People - Hispanics
Places - Cities and towns - Topeka
Places - Counties - Shawnee
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/439358