Presente: A Conversation with the 2015 Óscar Romero Awardees Rothko Chapel Celebrates Human Rights Activists Miriam Miranda and Berta Cáceres Wednesday, Nov. 11

Join the Rothko Chapel for Presente: A Conversation with the 2015 Óscar Romero Awardees, an intimate conversation with Miriam Miranda and Berta Cáceres moderated by Univision anchor Raúl Peimbert. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov.11 at the Baker Ripley Neighborhood Center, 6500 Rookin St. The event is presented in partnership with When and Where I Enter, Inc.

In 1986, the Rothko Chapel began honoring the legacy of Archibishop Óscar Romero of San Salvador, who worked tirelessly to fight against poverty and social injustice. The non-profit’s founder Dominique de Menil announced that the Óscar Romero Award would go to individuals or organizations demonstrating heroic efforts in the area of human rights.

This year, the Chapel announced the honorees -- Miriam Miranda and Berta Cáceres – on March 24, the day that marked 35 years since Romero was assassinated for his attempts to expose government corruption and to fight exploitation of the poor in El Salvador. Pope Francis beatified Romero on May 23.

Miranda serves as executive director of Organización Fraternal Negra Hondureña, a group that works to protect the land, cultural and civil rights of 47 indigenous Garifuna communities. Cáceres serves as general coordinator of Consejo Civil de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas de Honduras. For the last 20 years, she has worked in defense of the rights of campesino (peasant farmers) and indigenous Lenca descendant communities.

The Chapel planned a number of programs to honor and celebrate leaders who share the spirit of the late Archbishop Óscar Romero of San Salvador. “This is the perfect opportunity to experience courage up close,” David A. Leslie, executive director of the Rothko Chapel, said. “We hope the community will join us to meet these two amazing women, who should serve as examples to us all.”

He added that the award ceremony and events leading up to it represent the Chapel’s most important human rights work. “We’re  connecting the community to forums where they can hear the voices of remarkable people who face enormous economic and political pressures and personal peril to advocate for their causes,” Leslie said. 

To register to attend 2015 Óscar Romero Award events, visit oscarromeroaward.org. Underwriting opportunities are also available. For more information, email thuy.tran@rothkochapel.org. For more information about the Rothko Chapel and the full calendar of upcoming programs, workshops and events, visit rothkochapel.org or call 713-524-9839.

About the Rothko Chapel

The Rothko Chapel is open to the public every day of the year at no charge and successfully interconnects art, spirituality and compassionate action through a broad array of free public programs. Founded by Houston philanthropists Dominique and John de Menil, the Chapel was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary. Today it stands as a monument to art, spirituality and human rights. As an independent non-profit, non-governmental organization, the Chapeldepends on contributions from foundations and individuals to support its mission of creating a space for contemplation and dialogue on important issues.