The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund hosted its 2011 Los Angeles Awards Gala Tuesday night in downtown Los Angeles.
MALDEF was founded in 1968 and is the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization, according to its website.
At Tuesday's dinner at the Westin Bonaventure hotel, MALDEF honored the contributions of three members of the Latino community:
- Antonia Hernandez, a president & CEO of the California Community Foundation, and former MALDEF president.
- Roland Palencia, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community activist.
- Linda Ronstadt, an activist and recording artist.
In a press release from the organization, MALDEF said it "recognizes the significant contributions of these outstanding leaders and applauds their dedication to advance the Latino community."
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