The tiny Dominican-born feminist, who walked with the help of a cane and Rivera's arm, has been fighting for women's rights since 1945, when she was a delegate at the Conference for the Charter of the United Nations. 'Education is about promoting awareness,' he noted, 'something I try to do.'Īnyway. Speaking of the creme de la creme, Geraldo Rivera bounded up to the stage (wearing what appeared to be black cowboy boots underneath his tux trousers) to present the education award to Minerva Bernardino. The double-bass master received the award for the arts. 'This award and this night make me cry,' Israel 'Cachao' Lopez, the Cuban inventor of the mambo, said in his only language, his native Spanish.

The gala will be broadcast as a one-hour syndicated television special at a date, to be announced, before Oct. Sponsored by Dr Pepper/Cadbury North America, these awards are considered the most prestigious among Hispanics, and this ceremony for the creme de la creme of the national Latino community is by far the most glamorous event during Hispanic Heritage Month (which technically doesn't begin until Friday). The Hispanic Heritage Awards were established to promote and reward the best the Latino community has to offer this country in education, literature, leadership and the arts. 'Everybody keeps asking me if I'm all right,' said Raul Jr., looking hopelessly cute in his tux. It's weird to go around the country and pick up awards for him, but I try to bring him around with me inside, into the present.' 'He would've been so honored if he were here. That mitigates the sense of loss,' she said. She'd just crisscrossed a continent - she was on hand at Sunday night's Emmys in Los Angeles, picking up another posthumous award for her husband, who died last year at age 54 - but wasn't lagging. 'Raul considered himself a human being first and foremost, and he cherished his Hispanic roots,' said Merel Julia, who sparkled in a long black sleeveless dress with golden floral straps. Imagine, here was a man who could do Shakespeare in two languages!' His passing has left us longing too soon.

'Raul was one of the most extraordinary artists of our time, and I'm honored to be asked to be here. 'It's a very special night for me,' said Olmos, a 1992 recipient. Julia's friend actor Edward James Olmos presented the award to the family. Julia's widow, Merel Poloway Julia, and their two sons, Raul Jr., 12, and Benjamin, 8, were on hand to receive a special tribute medal, the first Hispanic Heritage Award to be given posthumously. This ninth annual program was especially moving because the spirit of the late actor Raul Julia seemed to linger among the 1,000 guests in the vast space. Last night's Hispanic Heritage Awards gala, held at the glorious National Building Museum, was a bilingual black-tie feast of cultural achievement.

Merel poloway