Skip to main content

"I don't feel sorry for her" : Cancer at the Guadalupe

Mary Jessie Garza, former Arts Education Director, was fired by the new President, R. Bret Ruiz on January 11th of this year. She has cancer, and now, no insurance.

While she was at the Guadalupe, she and her team raised over $1,000,000 during the four years she was at the Guadalupe. Until Ruiz took over, Mary Jessie directed an arts education program that counted as many as 900
cabezitas - 32 instructors teaching children training children in mariachi, voice, guitar, visual arts, keyboard, and more. The classes were held at the Guadalupe, in mobiles, and in after-school programs. The instructors include nationally-known artists who rank at the top in their fields.

But now she and her whole education team is gone. And the success of all that she worked for is at risk. While she scrambles to find low-cost medical care for her cancer treatments.

When Dolores Zapata Murff, the Public Relations and Marketing Manager, asked Ruiz about the ethics of firing Mary Jessie while she was still in treatment, he reportedly said, "I don't care. I don't feel sorry for her."

I will die without my cancer treatments," says Mary Jessie. My life depends on my insurance....not only am I dying from cancer, I'm gonna lose my house.

Not one of the Guadalupe Boardmembers have called her, she says.

**
*To read more about Mary Jessie Garza, read the earlier post, Part 4: Mary Jessie Garza tells her story.

Photo: The Guadalupe's offices at the old Progreso Drugstore, by Barbara Renaud Gonzalez

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Today is Tuesday, May 3rd, and so much has happened.  A brain tumor.  More yoga and walking.  A little less combat.  Weight dropping.  Spirit rising.  Back in the city, where I belong.  Looking for good photos to give you, organizing my crazy files.  And a new President!  So much to say, more than beating up on him -- that will only take us so far.  Time to hit the streets, challenge the fears that he represents.  Don't be afraid, no tengan miedo.  If I survived a massive brain tumor -- big as a grapefruit -- we can survive and transcend this. More tomorrow.  One day a week from now on. 

Can I get a VIA Bus after my cerveza?

Okay, so today I met with Juan Lopez, who, like me, rides the VIA bus. If you live in the city, the bus is pretty good if you're going north/south.  It's the crosstown buses and the 551 Looper that drives me crazy.  I wish they were more colorful, like in Mexico, and that the drivers were allowed to play their music!  This Calvinist heritage!  But I love the bus.  Babies, tattoos, the elderly, ride the bus. Humanity.   For reals. Today, Juan said something really profound. "If the city is so concerned about DWIs (Los borrachos, he means), then why doesn't VIA offer 24-hour service during Fiesta?" Are you listening, VIA? I know you offer special service for the basketball games, the Rodeo, And God knows what else... Or is the City wanting the fines from the DWIs or maybe just wants to put more borrachos in jail? http://www.viasmartmove.com

Twelve Heads in a Bag: Hector Saldana's Krayolas painting in bold, true colors

Longleaf pines are native to the southeast United States, and their conservation status is vulnerable. Only three percent of this historic, unrottable pine tree forest that can live up to 500 years remains. With long leaf pine (no smack gum) by the comeback sensations, The Krayolas, it is clear they intend to make great music for the long haul. I’m talking about one song in particular, “Twelve Heads in a Bag,” a deceptive rock-ballad (written and sung by Hector Saldana, with Max Baca on bajo sexto and Michael Guerra on accordion). Twelve Heads… is dedicated to the beheaded victims of Mexico’s drug wars. As has been said before but needs to be said again, it is the first corrido of the 21st century and it’s for the history books. Twelve Heads in a Bag makes you want to dance with a Lone Star in your hand, no matter the barbeque stains on your Tshirt, wondering why it wasn’t you in that bag.