Gabriel García Márquez
1928-

Márquez was born in a small village in Columbia, and is the oldest of twelve. In 1982 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first Columbian to win and fourth Latin American to be honor with this Prize.

Henry Cisneros
1947 -

Cisneros is a son of an Army colonel who grew up in San Antonio's middle class West Side, not far from the cities poorest parts. At a young age this soon to be politician was a driven hard worker. In 1981 he was elected to be San Antonio's mayor, becoming the cities youngest mayor to ever be elected, also making him the first Mexican American to head a major American City.

Katherine Ortega
1934 -

Ortega grew up during the Great Depression, but this did not dampen her spirits. Graduating form Eastern New Mexico University as a public accountent, she became the first woman to ever serve as President of a California bank. In 1983 President Ronald Reagan asked her to become the the 38th Treasure of the United State.

Simón Bolívar
1783-830

Bolívar is known to many Hispanics as "El Libertador," or "the Liberator". As a student of the Enlightenment, Bolívar traveled around the world expanding his knowledge of people and cultures. He lead many battles to free Columbia from Spain's rule. His ultimate goal was to unit all of South America. His constitution for Colombia is still considered to be one of the worlds greatest documents.

Juan Ponce de Leon
1460?-1521

When Chritopher Columbus traveled to America for the 2nd time, Leon sailled along with him. Known for traveling the seas for Spain, Leon is remembered for trying to find the legendary Fountain of Youth. History may never know if he found it, but he ended his days on the coast of Florida.

View of Exhibit on 3rd Floor