Pasadena Mexican American History Association Honors “Rosie” and South Pasadena Police Detective

Commemorating more than 25 years of service to Pasadena, the Pasadena Mexican American History Association Sunday celebrated two “local heroes,” as they honored 99-year-old Herlinda Ruiz,  the oldest supporter member of the organization, and South Pasadena Police Detective Lieutenant Shannon Robledo, during a luncheon event at Mijares Restaurant, itself a long time supporter of the non-profit organization.

The organization works to preserve the more than 100-year history of Mexican Americans who have made Pasadena their home, as well as to educate generations about their heritage, said PMAHA President and longtime member Joseph Canto Robledo. 

The nonprofit group was founded in 1996 by Manuel Contreras and was incorporated in May of 2006.

Honoree Ruiz, who spent much of her professional career working as a bookkeeper at Santa Anita Race Track, is one of the last remaining “Rosie the Riveter” namesakes, having worked in a Southern California aircraft factory during WWII.

Honoree Robledo,  a South Pasadena native, began his police service as an Explorer Scout, before rising up to the rank of motor officer and then detective, before being appointed to manage South Pasadena’s entire detective bureau.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo also dropped by the event to honor both Robledo and Ruiz, telling the assembled group about his family immigrating to Pasadena from Zacatecas. The family then lived for years in a Pasadena two-car garage, owned by the Mejia family, owners of Mijares, as well as the now-defunct Ranchero restaurant, where Gordo’s father worked as a cook and waiter for more than fifty years. Gordo also worked there for a number of years while still in school.

“I was probably delivering chips to tables when I was nine years old,” he laughed.

The group was also entertained by members of the USO Theater Americana, who performed an array of songs from the 40s through the 90s.