Dearest Departed

Emma Barrientos

When a sudden illness took Señora Barrientos last December, it stunned her family and the whole community. Eulogized by her spouse, former Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, as his inspiration and strength, she was an unassuming but tireless activist for Mexican-American advancement, progressive politics, and a wide range of creative arts institutions. A founding board member of Mexic-Arte, she helped found Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklórico de Tejas and served as board chair of the Austin Museum of Art. Other than her family, her (long-delayed) crowning achievement was the facility that now bears her name, the Emma Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center – a wonderful gift to the whole city of Austin, as was the lady who embodied the "Best of Austin."

The ACC Foundation
5930 Middle Fiskville
www.austincc.edu