MALDEF TO HONOR THREE PILLARS IN LATINO COMMUNITY AT 2011 LOS ANGELES AWARDS GALA

Honorees reflect Latino leadership in the arts, philanthropy, civil rights, healthcare and LGBT communities
Mayor Villaraigosa will also deliver remarks at MALDEF's 2011 Los Angeles Awards Gala.     LOS ANGELES, CA – On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz and the Board of Directors will host the 2011 MALDEF Los Angeles Awards Gala to highlight to historic contributions of three pillars in the Latino community.   Antonia Hernandez, President & CEO, California Community Foundation and Former President & General Counsel, MALDEF will receive the “Valerie Kantor Award for Extraordinary Achievement.”  Prior to her service from 1981 to 2003 at MALDEF, Hernandez worked for Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice and the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary.  After making her mark at MALDEF, Hernandez went on in 2004 to lead the California Community Foundation.    Linda Ronstadt, Activist and Recording Artist, will receive the “Lifetime Achievement, Leadership in the Arts” Award.  Ronstadt, best known as a Grammy, Emmy and Alma Award-winning singer and producer, is also a dedicated philanthropist, committed to serving and strengthening the Latino community.   Roland Palencia, long-serving Community Activist, will receive the “Excellence in Community Service” Award for his decades of dedication to the Latino community.  Palencia has served in various leadership capacities throughout his acclaimed career, addressing core issues impacting the Latino community that include equal opportunity, healthcare, and LGBT issues.   MALDEF, the Latino legal voice for civil rights in America, recognizes the significant contributions of these outstanding leaders and applauds their dedication to advance the Latino community.
	Special Guests/Presenters   Hon. Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor, City of Los Angeles Thomas A. Saenz, President & General Counsel, MALDEF Pepe Aguilar, Grammy nominated recording artist´ Eva Longoria, Actor & Philanthropist Nydia Rojas, Latin Grammy nominated recording artist   Carla Jimenez, Actor (Nacho Libre & Desperate Housewives) Lupe Ontiveros,  Actor & Activist   Master of Ceremonies   Ruth Livier, Actor, Writer and Producer