Angelica Villalobos Solis

She is being honored as a winner of the 2016 Oklahoma Human Rights Award. 

The awards are presented annually by the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance and the Oklahoma City Chapter of the United Nations Association.

Angelica is a Mexican national who was brought to the United States at age 11. She is a DACA recipient and is an active community advocate in her local community for over 10 years.

As an advocate, she has been recognized for her leadership and passion for helping others. But as an activist, she has been recognized for her social justice activism locally. Angelica is known for her outgoing personality, positive energy, enthusiasm, and leadership. She does not only advocate and organize among Latino immigrant communities. She knows that immigration and human rights, is not just a Latino issue and that it affects many different communities.

Nominated by Ana C. Herrera: 

Angelica I Villalobos Solis begin the fight for human and immigrant rights in 2006 when she joined the 2006 Rally, “A day without immigrants”. Her life was changed after the rally and she begin getting involved in organizations to fight for basic human rights and as she was a student at OSU-OKC started learning more about the constitution and the structure of the government institutions. And it was because of her newly acquired knowledge that started the spark the was just the beginning of her fight for basic human rights.

Angelica is a Mexican national that was brought to the united states at age 11. She is a DACA recipient and is an active community advocate in her local community for over 10 years. She is committed to build a multi-ethnic movement inclusive of all immigrants, people of color, members of LGBTQ, Muslims, women, religious organizations, minorities, people of different abilities and Allies; and Her ability to join other community leaders and bring awareness to each social cause is unique.

She has joined other community leaders to fight for the right of the disabled community alongside of Willis Washington, Jose Rivera and Teresa Tisdale. She is has also, been part of NeuroResource Outreach services, a physical rehabilitation clinic for people with disabilities. Then she joined the YMCA as a volunteer and helped coach several soccer teams for children ages 6 to 14 from 2012 through 2014. She is active member since 2014 of Make a Wish, helping children with terminal illnesses, with the process of giving them a wish.

In recent years, she has taken classes and training in immigration law to improve her knowledge of immigration law so that I can educate the Immigrant community about their immigration rights, both in Oklahoma and around the United States. She has traveled through the United States to represent our State in the fight for immigrants’ rights, she has been outside the Supreme Court in DC and the District Court in Brownsville TX.

She is a Lead Organizer of Dream Act Oklahoma, an organization that fights and advocates for the rights of immigrants. DAOK is also an affiliate of United We Dream. She is committed to build a multi-ethnic movement inclusive of all immigrant communities.

After the recent elections, Angelica's statement was:

“Immigrants, people of color, members of LGBTQ, Muslims, women, religious organizations, minorities, people of different abilities and Allies must unite and ensure that people feel connected and empowered in a moment that would otherwise break us. We are HERE TO STAY! Our communities are in a state of resilience and urgency. We will stand together and demand that our mayors and governors declare their cities & states as safe zones for all us. All people with love in our hearts are disappointed in the results of the election. Our message to our families & community is that we must stick together and protect each other.” 

She was one of the main organizers of the Rally Against Hate just a few weeks ago, and it was a beautiful moment of unity.

You're invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 Human Rights Awards on Saturday, December 10th, in the House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The program will begin at 10am. It will be emcee'd by former State Representative Seneca Scott. There is no charge to attend. Following the awards program, you are invited to enjoy a Free Speech Forum in the Senate Assembly Room from 12 Noon to 2pm.

Every year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Awards are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association and the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance.

Previous winners of the award include educators, physicians, students, and community volunteers from many different communities and all walks of life. They are united by their enduring commitment to the values and principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information about the awards program, please contact Wilfredo Santosrivera, 405-631-3027.