Dallas Mexican American Historical League

05/25/2026

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe...
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

05/12/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from DMAHL! This picture, taken around 1968, is of Alvaro “Sonny” Villanueva and his mother, who was visiting him during his service as a USMC during the Vietnam War.

05/03/2026

Weekends are for family gatherings and photos! This picture, taken in Los Altos during Easter, shows Davaloz family: Dorothy Antillon Davaloz is holding her niece Annette Morales, Petra Antillon and Virginia are standing behind her, and the youngest members of the family seem eager for an Easter egg hunt.

Family photos are part of history. DMAHL is always taking donation of original family photos and digitized copies of family photos. Contact us if you want to learn more about making your family history a part of Dallas’ historical narrative!

Picture from Dallas Public Library Dallas History and Archives, DMAHL collection.

04/24/2026

Luis Valdez, creator of El Teatro Campesino and considered to be the father of Chicano film and playwriting, is a man who’s work has helped define the Chicano community in the arts. His play Zoot Suit (1978) was the first Chicano directed production to run on Broadway. And his film La Bamba, which featured the story of Chicano Rock and Roll legend Ritchie Valens, has become part of the National Film Registry and one of the most iconic films about musicians.

His story is told in American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, and will be at the Dallas International Film Festival this Sunday, April 26, 4:00 PM at Cinépolis Victory Park, 2365 Victory Park Lane, Dallas, Texas.

This film features archival footage from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and narrated by Edward James Olmos. After the showing there will be an on-stage conversation with director David Alvarado.

We’re excited to see this film, and we want to see you there, too! Get your tickets at http://diffdallas.org/DIFF

04/17/2026

The Dallas Mexican American Historical League expresses our condolences on the passing of the Honorable Anita Martinez.

Born in the barrio of Little Mexico, Anita Martinez (Nañez) was an advocate for her community, balancing the expectations of Dallas and the needs of her people. In 1969, she was elected as Dallas’ first Mexican American City Council member. In 1975 she founded Dallas’ Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, a program that has helped ignite cultural and community pride while teaching discipline and confidence. From encouraging civic engagement to helping establish Los Barrios Unidos Clinic, she made this city a better place.

Words cannot express how much we owe to the work of Anita Martinez and how much she has changed the trajectory of our city.

Thank you, Anita.

Pictures:
Anita Martinez during her first year on the City Council,
WFAA - Oct. 13, 1969, SMU Library WFAA Newsfilm Collection

Anita Martinez at the opening of Los Barrios Unidos clinic, Dallas Public Library Dallas History and Archives, DMAHL Collection

Anita Martinez and performers at the Tex-Mex salute to Hispanic culture benefiting the Anita Nanez Martinez Ballet Folklorico at the Dallas home of Joe Salatino, June 1987. From the UTA Special Collections Fort Worth Star-Telegram collection.

Screenshot from the documentary “Defender of Dreams: A documentary on the life of community leader Anita N. Martinez”, on YouTube.

04/11/2026

Last week we had an amazing night of dancing, celebrating, and community connection! We want to give a special thanks to:

Joe and Juanita Valdez, who led the coordinating effort from beginning to end for this year’s dance fundraiser.

Rosemary Hinojosa, who led our sponsorship efforts.

Nick Juarez, we couldn’t have done this without you! Thank you for guiding us and making sure this night without a hitch and for uplifting Tejano music. Be sure to listen to his show and keep an eye out for his D-Town Tejano Nights!

LA•45 for making sure the night was one to remember!

DJ Lady V for keeping the dance floor filled and for running a great program!

Our sponsors who helped make this night happen: The Mexican American Museum of Texas Dallas Legacy Mission: Coalition of Hispanic Nonprofits of North Texas The Last Patrol Project, Crazier Wolves and Friends, and St. Ann's Alumni & Friends of Little Mexico. Be sure to follow their work and consider joining their missions!

And of course, thank you to all who helped support the mission of DMAHL by joining us at our first fundraising dance!

04/07/2026

04/07/2026

11/14/2025

On November 3, 2025, one of DMAHL’s founders, and one of Dallas’ boldest advocates for the Mexican American community, Albert Gonzalez, passed unto eternity.

How can we describe the impact of Albert’s work in Dallas, and the legacy that he has left with us? He was a lifelong community advocate, and was a leader in multiple Dallas organizations. Because of his work in helping to create DMAHL and the years he spent collecting photographs, manning tables, and coordinating events, our history has been preserved for generations to come.

Albert was a dear friend, and he is deeply missed.

We’ll carry the flag from here, until we meet again.

Albert J. Gonzalez
December 20, 1946 - November 3, 2025

This clip is from a collection of oral histories collected by DMAHL in honor of our Quince Años.

11/12/2025

Veterans Day gives us time to remember and honor the men and women who have defended our freedom at home and abroad! From Dallas’ foundation and despite immense challenges, Mexican Americans have valiantly served in the U.S. Military - sometimes before they were even granted citizenship.

Thank you to our Veterans!

Left to right: Albert Castillo, Jr., U.S. Navy, Vietnam War; Joe Rodriguez, World War I; Melecio Z. Perez, U.S. Air Force, World War II