Betty Rodriguez

Born and raised in Fresno, Betty was a graduate of Edison High School. In 1950 she married her high school sweetheart, Armando Rodriguez who would later become a Superior Court judge. Betty served as a volunteer for various organizations, including the League of Women Voters, the Girl Scouts, Arte Americas, Ladies Aid for Retarded Citizens, Friends of the library, and the Fresno-Torreon Sister City Committee. As a founder of the League of Mexican American Women, Betty created an annual event to raise scholarship money for youth: the Fiesta Navidena Fashion Show.

In May of 2012, The Rodriguezes were honored for their community service at the 12th annual Latino Legends of the20th Century Dinner for their service to the community. Their selflessness and passion for the Central Valley made them very deserving of the award.

Betty was a trailblazer for women throughout the Valley. It was an important priority for Betty to instill in women, especially Hispanic women, that they could make a difference in the world. She wanted Hispanic women to feel liberated and proud of themselves and their heritage.

In November 2016 Fresno County opened a library branch named after Betty. The library was the first Fresno County branch to be named after a Latina.