Ana G. Méndez

Ana González González (January 7, 1908 – February 18, 1997) better known as Ana G. Méndez was a Puerto Rican educator who founded the Ana G. Mendez University System in Puerto Rico.

Ana G. Méndez
Founder of the Ana G. Mendez University System
Born
Ana González González

(1908-01-07)January 7, 1908
DiedFebruary 18, 1997(1997-02-18) (aged 89)
NationalityPuerto Rican
Other namesAna G. Méndez and Ana González de Méndez
OccupationEducator
Spouse(s)José Méndez Rivera
ChildrenDora Méndez González
Grecia Méndez González
José Méndez González

Early years

Méndez was one of eight children born to Francisco González Monje and Ana González Cofresí in Aguada, Puerto Rico. She was a direct descendant of the Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, on her mother's side.[1] In 1935, Méndez graduated from high school in Santurce; she earned her bachelor's degree in commercial education from the University of Puerto Rico in 1940. It was during the 1940s that she realised that students should have the option of having a short term college for a commercial or technical career, this led in 1941, to her founding the Puerto Rican High School of Commerce with 3 teachers and nine students.[1][2]

Personal life

She got married when she was 15 years old to José Méndez Rivera and they had three children together named, Dora Méndez González, Grecia Méndez González and José Méndez González.

Founder of Puerto Rico Junior College

In 1948, Méndez graduated from New York University with a master's degree. In 1948, she founded the Puerto Rico Junior College in Rio Piedras with 19 students; this became the first educational institution in Puerto Rico to offer an associate degree (2 year college). An educational visionary, Méndez founded universities, television stations, college classes by mail and as mentioned above the associate degree.[1][3]

Universities founded by Mendez

Among the universities founded by Mendez are:

Ana G. Mendez Foundation

Méndez also founded the "Ana G. Mendez Foundation" which grants scholarships to outstanding students and she also found TV Channel 40 "The Ana G. Mendez Educational Channel". What today is known as the "Ana G. Mendez University System" and started with only nine students, now has over 17,000 students, 800 professors and 500 administrative employees.[3]

Legacy

In 1965, Méndez became the "first" and only Puerto Rican woman amongst the Board of Directors of Eastern Air Lines. In 1975, the Catholic University of Puerto Rico awarded to Méndez an honorary doctoral degree in humanities.[1][2] Ana G. Méndez died on 18 February 1997 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico honored her memory by naming an avenue in San Juan after her. On 10 July 2003, Mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando, Florida, announced the opening of the "Ana G. Mendez Metro Orlando University".[1][3]

See also

References

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