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Mayor Lee’s Statement on Passing of Rosario Anaya

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement on the passing of Mission Language and Vocational School (MLVS) Executive Director Rosario Anaya:

“I am saddened by the passing of Rosario Anaya. She was a true friend to our City, a champion for the Mission District and an advocate for our diverse communities.

Originally from Cochabamba, Bolivia, Rosario dedicated her life to service to the community, particularly the immigrant community here in our City. At the helm of the Mission Language and Vocational School, she helped many immigrant families gain the skills necessary to succeed in our City. Appointed by then Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2010, she served on the San Francisco Redevelopment Commission to help build needed affordable housing for our residents. First appointed to the San Francisco Board of Education by Mayor George Moscone, she became the first Latin American woman elected to public office in San Francisco history and served on the school board for 12 years. She served on several boards and committees throughout her career, and has been recognized for her dedicated service, including by the Mexican government and most notably the Order of Francisco de Miranda Medallion from the President of the Republic of Venezuela. Her leadership changed many lives here in the Bay Area and around the world.

We have lost a great San Franciscan, and I offer my deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to her family and friends in this time of sorrow.”

In lieu of gifts, the family is asking for donations to be sent to the Rosario Anaya Scholarship Fund for Latinos and Latinas in the Mission, 2929 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110.