Lydia Perez and Ruthie Adams Memorial Scholarship

Ms. Lydia V. Perez was born in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1904 and raised in El Paso, Texas. She met and married Cornelio S. Perez, Sr., when she was 15 years old and migrated to Southern California. She was the proud mother of eighteen, eleven of which she was able to raise to adulthood. Because of her family situation, she was only able to attend school through the sixth grade; however, she was an avid believer in education for all, especially women! In 1947 she encouraged her family, especially her daughters Ruthie Adams and Rachel Hamilton to attend “that new Orange Coast College” and prepare themselves for their future.

This award is available in her memory for an Hispanic re-entry or regular full-time female student wishing to improve and enrich her life through education.