School History

Who Was John J. Herrera?
Born April 12, 1910, in rural Louisiana and raised in Houston, John James Herrera overcame segregation to become a champion for Mexican American civil rights.

From Barber to Lawyer & Activist
After working as a barber and taxi driver to support himself through law school at South Texas College of Law, Herrera began practicing in Houston in 1943. He joined LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) in 1933 and became its national president in 1952–53.

Landmark Legal Victories
Herrera co-led Delgado v. Bastrop ISD (1948), ending school segregation of Mexican American students, and served on the legal team for Hernandez v. Texas (1954), which prohibited the exclusion of Hispanics from juries—heard before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A Voice for Workers & Community
During World War II, Herrera fought discrimination against Mexican American workers in Houston shipyards. He also proudly introduced President Kennedy at a LULAC event on November 21, 1963.

Why Our School Honors Him
Herrera’s dedication to justice, education, and equal opportunity lives on through our school. By carrying his name, we celebrate his legacy—encouraging every student to strive for fairness, leadership, and positive change in our community and beyond.