Gomez-Bethke, Irene (1935–2021)

“We are one race—the Human Race.” These are the words of Irene Gomez-Bethke, a daughter of Mexican parents who immigrated to Minnesota. Throughout her life, she played a leadership role in bending the arc of history toward social justice, serving as Minnesota Commissioner of Human Rights, guiding boards and commissions as a volunteer, and co-founding both Centro Cultural Chicano and Instituto de Arte y Cultura.

Irene Gomez-Bethke and Jack Bethke with Walter Mondale

Irene Gomez-Bethke and Jack Bethke with Walter Mondale

Irene Gomez-Bethke with Walter Mondale (center) and Jack A. Bethke (right), ca. 1982. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Irene Gomez-Bethke with Rudy and Lola Perpich

Irene Gomez-Bethke with Rudy and Lola Perpich

Irene Gomez-Bethke with then-candidate-for-governor Rudy Perpich and his wife, Lola Perpich, ca. 1980s. Left to right are Jack L. Bethke, Jesse Bethke, Raquel Cervantes, Irene Gomez-Bethke, Rudy Perpich, Jack. A. Bethke, Lola Perpich, and Manuel J. Cervantes. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Irene Gomez-Bethke in Oklahoma City

Irene Gomez-Bethke in Oklahoma City

Irene Gomez-Bethke (right) and a colleague representing a committee at a meeting in Oklahoma City, 1970s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

Irene Gomez-Bethke

Irene Gomez-Bethke

Irene Gomez-Bethke, ca. 1990s. Used with the permission of Jesse Bethke Gomez.

IITC at the United Nations

IITC at the United Nations

Members of the International Indian Treaty Council (Sherry Means, Ted Means, Marcy Gilbert, Joe Lafferty, Pat Bellanger, and Bill Wahpepah) stand in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, during their visit to the United Nations, September 1977. The United Nations hosted the International NGO Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas between September 20 and 23. Photograph by Dick Bancroft; used with the permission of the estate of Dick Bancroft.

IITC at the United Nations

IITC at the United Nations

The members of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) gather for a group photograph in Geneva, Switzerland, during their visit to the United Nations, September 1977. The United Nations hosted the International NGO Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas between September 20 and 23. Pat Bellanger stands in the third row from the front, left of center, wearing a red shirt. Clyde Bellecourt kneels in the row in front of her, also in a red shirt, to her left. Photograph by Dick Bancroft; used with the permission of the estate of Dick Bancroft.

Irene Paull, Joe Paszak, and unidentified person

Irene Paull, Joe Paszak, and unidentified person

Irene Paull, Joe Paszak, and an unidentified person, 1937.

Irene Gomez-Bethke and Ronn Vargas with Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser

Irene Gomez-Bethke and Ronn Vargas with Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser

Centro Cultural Latino founders Ronn Vargas and Irene Gomez-Bethke (far right and third from right) with Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser (second from right), Chuy Negrete, and an unidentified man, 1982. From “Photographs, undated and 1981–1988,” in box 1 of the Irene Gomez-Bethke papers, Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Gorbachev visit hanky

Gorbachev visit hanky

Souvenir handkerchief, manufacturer unknown, 1990. The commemorates a visit to Minnesota by Mikhail Gorbachev, President of the Soviet Union, in 1990.

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