On September 10, 2009, Coronet Way Park will be renamed Sara J. González Memorial Park, the first-ever Hispanic/Latino memorial in the State of Georgia. The dedication to be held in Ms. Gonzalez’s former neighborhood of Ridgewood Heights will kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Atlanta.
Long-time Atlanta resident, Sara J. González, was an entrepreneur, advocate and leader for Hispanic and immigrants. She was the President of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a champion of minority-based economic growth. Ms. González established pioneering services and programs to aid the newly-arrived as well as those seeking betterment through entrepreneurship.
Sara was a passionate supporter of minority rights and worked at the grassroots level and with corporate America, including some of the country’s largest blue chip companies. “Sara was a friend whose vision for Georgia included everybody. She dedicated her life to her family and worked tirelessly to form alliances and partnerships for the betterment of the Hispanic community all the while advancing business opportunities for all minorities.” says Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. “As a friend she was warm, open and supportive in every step of my professional life.”
The community is invited to attend the dedication ceremony scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. Speaking at the event will be Mayor Shirley Franklin, Commissioner Dianne Harnell Cohen, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets Ralph de la Vega, and Ms. Gonzalez’s daughters, Mrs. Isabel C. González Whitaker and Ms. Ofelia de La Valette. Also speaking is Council member Felicia Moore in whose District the Park is located.
The Sara J. González Memorial Park’s sign change has been sponsored by AT&T. The Park has been adopted by Ofelia de La Valette’s company, Dance 101.