La Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU) installs members, officers
LA Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU) installed five new members at its meeting in Antonito on Saturday, March 4. The SPMDTU also installed nine new officers to its Concilio Superior.
The five new members and the Concilio Locales they joined are: Luis Murrillo, Alamosa Concilio No. 19; Katie Dokson, Alamosa Concilio No. 19; Melinda Gonzales (from Denver) joined Alamosa Concilio No. 19; Verna Jiron, Antonito Concilio No. 1; and Lisa Lucero, Alamosa Concilio No. 19.
Members installed as new officers include: Ralph Maestas, presidente, Denver No. 7; Miguel Sisneros, vice presidente, Antonito No.1; Billy Perea, tesorero, Denver No. 7; Antonio Esquibel, secretario, Denver No. 7; Rogelio Briones, consejero, Alamosa No. 19; Frank López, calificador, Nambé No. 57; Jerry Romero, mariscal, Nambé No. 57; Tomás Herrera, guardia, Nambé No. 57 and Gene Gonzales, portero, Alamosa, No. 19.
After the reception of new members and the installation of the Concilio superior officers, members heard a report and viewed the status of the restoration of the SPMDTU Concilio Superior Headquarters Building, located on the west side of Antonito’s main street at 603 Main St. The building is listed in the State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. It is expected that restoration of the building will be completed by the end of 2023.
The SPMDTU was founded 123 years ago on November 26, 1900, and is the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in Antonito by Celedonio Mondragón and six others to fight discrimination in the fields, mining industry, and railroads. Also, to defend their property rights. The SPMDTU began as a mutual aid organization that sought, through non-violent actions, to combat the exploitation of Hispanic workers by land barons, mine owners, and the railroads. The organization is still active.
Concilios locales conduct monthly meetings and functions, to further the organization’s vision which is “The SPMDTU is comprised of a diverse group of men and women committed to enriching Hispanic communities and families, with fund-raising efforts aimed at providing and enhancing community services.”
