Cortes, Carmen Garza, 1913-

Carmen Garza Cortes was born in 1913 in Mission San Juan, San Antonio, Texas. After her father Bartolo died in 1914, her mother Victoria married Julio Reyes, a farmen from McQueney, Texas. Carmen and her older sister grew up with Reyes' three daughters from his first marriage. Later, Reyes moved to Houston where he owned a grocery store on Avenue K in Houston's Magnolia Park subdivision.

Carmen attended a local business college after high school. In 1933 she married Melicio Cortes, who owned a produce store in Houston.

In the 1940's, Carmen Cortes became the first Hispanic hired for a "white collar" job by Harris County; she worked for a judge.

Carmen was a very active member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Carmen served as the National secretary of LULAC during the 1950's through 1960, and again from 1966-1967. In addition, she served other Hispanic organizations including Ladies' LULAC Council #22, as well as a number of other Hispanic social and civic clubs.

In her leadership role in these organizations, especially in LULAC, Carmen Cortes became an early woman activist for Hispanic civil rights.

From the guide to the Carmen Cortes Collection MSS 194., 1920's-1966, (Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library)