HONOREE HELEN CHAVARRÍA
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PATRONS
| Tommy and Olga Ramírez |
| Celina Vásquez |
| Dr. Nancy Self |
| Donna Hanna-Calvert |
| Wayne Sadberry |
| Joaquin & Dorothy Hernandez |
Helen Chavarría was raised in the Brazos Valley and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School Class of 1956. Just following high school graduation, she began her career with J. Weingarten, Inc. as a salesclerk and trainer until 1984. She began working for Freckles Broadcasting as an account executive, and for the Brazos County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 as a clerk and interpreter, from 1986 to 1990. Chavarría also joined HEB as a bookkeeper. Her passion for education and student achievement called her in 1989 to work for Region VI Education Service Center- a support center for students and educators in Amnesty and English as a Second Language fields. Helen also served as an Information and Housing Management Specialist for the Brazos Valley Council of Government from 1992 to 2001.
Helen Chavarría became the first Hispanic woman to serve on Bryan City Council, where she served three (3) terms. She also served as Commissioner on the City of Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission. Helen has served in numerous other community volunteer capacities, including the Brazos Valley Development Council, American Heart Association, Salvation Army and EL Club Social. She was Chairman of the Brazos Valley Action Agency and served the board of directors of First Federal Savings, and on the Executive Boards of the B/CS Business and Professional Women and LULAC Oakhill organizations. She is currently serving as Special Commissioner for Brazos County.
Mrs. Chavarría has also donated countless hours to awareness of issues impacting Hispanics and to the advancement of underrepresented minorities. In addition to years of service as an Interpreter and to advance bilingual education, Helen Chavarría has been recognized as a key Hispanic Leader by the Business and Professional Women of Houston and was awarded a bronze medal for her service by Mayor Kathy Whitmire for her service. She was honored by the B/CS Prenatal Clinic in 1999 at the annual “You’re The Tops” luncheon. Helen has been a guest speaker and panelist on many occasions and authored several articles, including one for the Eagles Centennial (1880-1989) on the History of Hispanics in the Brazos County.
Helen Chavarría has been a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church since 1945, where she still attends mass with her husband of 63 years, Oscar Chavarria, Sr. They have two children, Olga, and Sandra, and are blessed to have five grand-children and three great-grandchildren.
Helen was the recipient of the Hispanic Forum Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifetime of service and dedication.