Blanca S. Vela Papers

The collection is divided into two series: 1) Mayor Blanca S. Vela and 2) Judge Filemon B. Vela.

The materials related to Blanca include biographical information, letters, some speeches, recognitions and events, campaign flyers and clippings. Several folders of newspaper clippings document Blanca’s campaign for mayor, events and activities in Brownsville. A set of photographs include images of Charro Days in Brownsville, Mayor Vela attending events, and the Vela family. Family photographs include images of Blanca with her husband, Filemon B. Sr., and Blanca with her adult children -- Filemon B., Jr. with his wife, Rose, and Rafael with his wife, Matiana.

The Judge Filemon B. Vela series includes files related to Judge Vela’s military service, newspaper clippings and a Texas Senate Resolution in his memory after Judge Vela passed away. There are three video recordings included in this series, one shows the funeral services for Judge Vela and the other two are copies of a promotional spot featuring Filemon Jr. and Rafael encouraging people to support the Judge Filemon Vela Memorial Scholarship to benefit Rio Grande Valley High School graduates. For additional materials see the Filemon Bartolome Vela Papers.

Part 2 Additions include cards, letters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and yearbooks. Two photographs are a close up of a baby and one shows a woman and a man looking over the baby. The yearbooks are for Harlingen High School and Texas Southmost College.