Photo by Victoria Hernandez.
The Oak Cliff Government Center now has a room bearing the name of Sylvia Collins, one of three victims to the Clyde apartment explosion that occurred in May.
Collins served as a Dallas County Democratic Party precinct chair and was an avid community activist. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Dallas County honored her with the dedication of the Sylvia Collins Community Room.
Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia proposed the room naming, and the county commissioners approved the request in August. Garcia described Collins as “a fierce defender of democracy.”
Frances Rizo (left) and Elba Garcia (right) at the dedication ceremony for the Sylvia Collins Community Room. Photo by Victoria Hernandez.
“Everybody who knew Sylvia Collins knew that, for Sylvia, everything was about your right to vote,” Garcia said at the dedication. “To be sure that we were advocates for people, for people’s causes, for civil rights, for environmental issues, and not only that, she believed that every voice mattered, and that the only way to do that was to bring people together so we can do that. So she loved getting people involved and to be sure that they all exercised the right to vote.”
Frances Rizo, a friend of Collins, echoed that sentiment at the dedication ceremony. She said Collins “gave up herself willingly” to help others.
“Her entire life was love, and I hope all of you feel that every time you come into this room,” Rizo said.
