Did you ever meet Judge Frances Muñoz? Es una heroína – a true poderosa – professionally and personally.

 

​Judge Frances Muñoz's story ought to be told, to law students and to judges, to elected officials and to comadres de familia, to those currently doubting their place in this country. From her farmworker beginnings to her becoming the first Latina trial court judge in the United States, Judge Muñoz is an inspiration to many - and ought to be to many more.

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In 2019, ReGeneración, through co-founder Camilo Romero, began a collaborative effort to celebrate Judge Muñoz every fall, to coincide with her birthday. The annual celebratory event would help ensure her story is told and celebrated for generations to come. The event is modeled on the annual endowed lecture hosted by New York University School of Law and its alumni of color association honoring the beloved, late Professor Derrick Bell who was a pioneer in civil rights advocacy and critical race pedagogy (and a mentor to Camilo).

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On September 17, 2020, Judge Muñoz's 90th birthday, ReGeneración and the University of New Mexico School of Law celebrated her across various time zones in spite of the pandemic. You can witness her reaction and hear her words here. The nascent mural in that birthday celebration became the now well-known Poderosas Mural that features Judge Muñoz along with other local Latin trailblazers, which has spawned other Poderosas murals around the country.

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On October 17, 2022, Judge Frances Muñoz passed away at the age of 92. She left a deep void in the hearts of many and a tall shadow over the legal profession, reminding us:

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“Being the first is not as important as not being the last. The legal profession, particularly the bench, still has a long way to go to reflect our community. Perhaps then the contributions of our immigrant families will truly be valued.”

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The Los Angeles Times covered her life and legacy in this article.

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Since Judge Muñoz's passing, ReGeneración has convened and collaborated with friends, colleagues, and admirers of Judge Muñoz to institutionalize her annual celebration.

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Our inaugural celebration took place on October 12, 2023 at Santa Ana College with over 150 student, faculty, and community attendees.

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Our second annual celebration took place on October 16, 2024 at the U.S. federal courthouse in Santa Ana with distinguished guests.

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Our third annual celebration will take place on October 30, 2025 at the Orange County Department of Education in Costa Mesa, and, as always, you are invited.

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Celebrating the Matriarchs of Equal Educational Opportunity – from Orange County to the nation!

Did you know that a few generations ago children of color were not allowed to attend the same schools as white children? And did you know that the bravery of five Mexican-American families in Orange County led to the integration of schools across the United States? Their advocacy led to the historic class-action lawsuit – Méndez, et al. v. Westminster School District, et al. – whose holding helped establish that public school segregation was unconstitutional.

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On Thursday, October 30, 2025, we invite you to the 3rd annual “Judge Frances Muñoz Poderosa Celebration of Latina Leadership” to honor the five intrepid women heads of household – Mary Luisa Estrada, Virginia Guzmán, Felicitas Méndez, Irene Palomino, Josefina Ramirez – who spoke up in a time when women were not meant to be seen or heard.

 

The event is free, catered, and open to all ages. Thank you to the OC Department of Education and the OC Hispanic Bar Association for helping us celebrate our local sheroes! You can attend virtually too. You may register here.

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