LUPE to celebrate a legacy 

La Union del Pueblo Entero staff, members and elected officials will gather from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight in the Mission Events Center to celebrate the legacy of Juanita Valdez-Cox’s leadership in the social justice movement.

Valdez-Cox is LUPE’s former executive director and a South Texas civil rights leader. After more than 45 years of serving LUPE, she officially retired on Dec. 30.

“It’s just … a way of convivir together, engaging with one another to celebrate Juanita’s leadership in the social justice with La Union del Pueblo Entero,” said Ramiro Gonzalez, the communications coordinator for LUPE.

LUPE was founded in 1989 by American labor leaders and civil rights activists Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta and was established in the Rio Grande Valley in 2003 by Valdez-Cox. The organization “responds to the needs of the community, and takes action that creates a chance for a better life,” according to its website.

The organization expects 600 guests for the event. The program will include presentations by LUPE board members, elected officials and other special guests.

“For the special guests, I can’t really name them,” he said. “It’s just, like, a you kinda have to be there type of thing.”

Actress and comedian Cristela Alonzo, a native of Hidalgo who starred in the ABC sitcom “Cristela,” will be the master of ceremonies for the event.

Gonzalez invites the community to attend the event.

“I mean, this isn’t just for LUPE members,” he said. “This isn’t just for the staff. But there is space for the Rio Grande Valley public. … If you’ve been a part of LUPE or you have seen LUPE or just want to get to know more about it, this may be the last time you see Juanita Valdez-Cox in the Valley. I don’t know what kind of plans she may have.”

To RSVP for the event, visit the organization’s website at lupenet.org.