Calaboose Museum hosts 3rd annual gala and fundraiser

The Calaboose African American History Museum hosted its 3rd Annual Gala Fundraiser on Saturday at the San Marcos Activity Center. The Calaboose honored five honorees during the gala including Ollie Hargis-Giles (above) for her work as an historian, genealogist and archivist of local African-American history. Daily Record photos by Rachel Sonnier

Rose Kirk Brooks was also honored for all her tireless work from fundraising local cake walks, to lobbying, mentoring and marching.

Lillie Belle Cheatham Townsend was honored for her more than 40 years as an educator of some of the most underserved students at the "colored school." She was hired as Community Action's Head Start director in 1966 and Child Development Center was named after her.

The gala's guest speaker was Nelson E. Linder, president of the Austin Branch of the NAACP. Linder spoke about the importance of being aware of the past in order to envision a future.

San Marcos High School Sophomore Aaron Valdez began the evening by reading his winning essay, about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Jordan Buckley accepted an award on behalf of the San Marcos Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship (SMUUF) during the gala. SMUUF was recognized for their generous support of the Calaboose, as well as other local nonprofits and organizations.