A longtime community activist has been honored posthumously for her efforts on behalf of the Hispanic community in the Quad-Cities.

Mary Terronez, who died in September 2009 at the age of 91, was inducted this year into the national League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, Hall of Fame.

Her daughter, Irene Terronez, an artist in Rio Rancho, N.M., accepted the award at the national LULAC convention that was held in Albuquerque during July.

"She was a role model for 48,000 Spanish-Americans in the Quad-Cities," said Gilbert Sierra, a member of LULAC Council 10, Davenport, and the state director for the organization.

Terronez was born in Mexico, arriving in the Quad-Cities at the age of 4 when her father was recruited to work for the Rock Island Lines. She grew up with 10 brothers and sisters in Cook's Point, a barrio in southwest Davenport.

As early as the 1940s, she was active in the community, negotiating wages and working conditions between barrio onion toppers and Pleasant Valley, Iowa, growers. In 1953, she was the spokesperson for the Cook's Point Mexican community during the relocation of 50 families, appearing on television to advocate for a more equitable process.

Her many activities and awards include University of Iowa Chicano-Indian American Cultural Center Award, serving as a delegate to the Legislative Conference for Senior Citizens, the State of Illinois Certificate of Appreciation for dedication in the field of education, the Quad-Cities Mexican-American Organization Education Award, a Scott County Auditor Certificate of Appreciation for poll worker service and the Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Higher Education Award.

Terronez attended Davenport schools, but was only able to complete her education through the sixth grade. At the age of 56, she began a journey to obtain her high school diploma. In 1976, after having been away from school for 40 years, she received her general education diploma, or GED. At the age of 60, she graduated from the former Palmer Junior College with an associate of liberal arts degree.

"I remember her determination and always valuing education," said her daughter, Phyllis Terronez of Davenport. "She always said, ‘No one can take education away from you.' "

Four of her six children earned bachelor's degrees, two earned master of arts degrees and one earned a master of fine arts degree.

She worked as a bilingual educational aide for the Rock Island-Milan School District and as a special education aide for the Davenport School District. She retired in June 2004 at the age of 86 to spend more time with her family.

In a letter nominating her for the award, Ernest Rodriguez, the treasurer for LULAC Council 10, Davenport, summed up her activities by saying that Terronez served as "a shining example of a community activist who put the welfare of her people as one of her highest priorities in life."