On September 22, 2019, the City of York will be honoring the legacy of community service, advocacy, and activism, of the Late Dr. Edwin A. Rivera and his wife, Mrs. Delma Rivera, by dedicating the 200 block of East Princess Street to the couple.
Dr. Edwin Rivera was born on April 24, 1929, in San German, Puerto Rico, and moved to York in 1961. He was a graduate of the Inter American University and the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. Dr. Rivera was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean War and served in the United States National Guard. He also served as a member of several boards of directors, including the American Cancer Society, the York Day Nursery and Kindergarten, and was also a member, deacon, and elder at First Presbyterian Church of York. Dr. Rivera was the first Latino physician in York City. He passed away in 2006.
Mrs. Delma Rivera was born on April 15, 1929, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. She received her undergraduate degree from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, and her teaching certification in secondary education from the University of Puerto Rico. She served on numerous boards, including the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army and its Diversity Committee, the York County Medical Auxiliary, the York/Adams County Mental Health, the York Health Corporation, the United Way of York County, and the Long-Range Planning Committee for Central York School District, and traveled worldwide with the Self Development of People Committee of First Presbyterian Church, and the York County Girl Scout Council. Mrs. Rivera received the Key to the City of York in 2007. She passed away in 2014.
Dr. and Mrs. Rivera recognized the need for services for the Latino community in York, such as interpreters at York Hospital, assistance with housing, employment, and issues affecting Hispanic students within the York City School District. The couple formed a group of local Hispanics interested in helping their community and founded the first York Spanish American Center on South Queen Street in York City, which became the hub for the Latino community in York and served as a United Way Agency. After many years at the South Queen Street location, the Spanish American Center outgrew its site and moved to the 200 block of East Princess Street, where Dr. and Mrs. Rivera served on the board of directors, Mrs. Rivera being president of the board of directors for many years.
Dr. and Mrs. Rivera were honored with many civic and community awards over the span of several decades. Mrs. Rivera also served on the Governor’s Council for Latino Affairs and received a special invitation to the White House while she served on this board. Furthermore, Mrs. Rivera received a distinguished award, being listed in the book “Legacies of York,” in 1980, being honored for her civic and humanitarian work in the York community.
Event Details
The City of York will be making the dedication at 2:00 p.m. at the Southeast corner of East Princess Street and South Queen Street.
Speakers include York City Mayor; Michael Helfrich; State Representative, Carol Hill-Evans; Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, Luz Colon; Former and first Latino Councilman of York City, Abraham Amoros; Dr. and Mrs. Rivera’s children, Delma Rivera-Lytle and Edwin Rivera; and York Artist and Professor, Ophelia Chambliss.
In addition, Ms. Chambliss added an art piece in honor of the late Dr. and Mrs. Rivera, to existing York City mural named History, Beauty and Diversity of Olde Towne East, which is located at the same location.
Following the dedication, the celebration will move to Renaissance Park, until 4:00 p.m. Entertainment will include music, dancing, face painting, and singing performances.