Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Dolores Penrod a rebel never lacking a cause

In almost 88 years on this planet, Dolores Penrod has often been a rebel, but never without a cause.

Penrod may be best known in eastern New Mexico for founding the Community Services Center in Portales in 1965, then serving as its executive director until her retirement in 1999.

She credits her deep roots in social work to her long line of German Lutheran ancestors who were protesters before they came to the United States more than 2 1/2 centuries ago.

"My family was involved in the civil rights movement before there was one," she said. "We have been at the forefront of every social cause."

Today, Penrod works from an office in the back of her house, one that is piled high with color-coded packets in English and Spanish that are the tools in her latest battle: Reaching out to offer legal advice and assistance to undocumented immigrants.

She sums up her personal philosophy in three Cs: "Courage, compassion, and curiosity."

It was the middle C - compassion - that she says led to the creation of information packets that are available to undocumented immigrants and their allies at three locations in Portales: The Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, 100 S. Ave. A; the Portales City Clerk's office, 100 W. First St.; and the drive-through window at Los Pilares Restaurant, 400 N. Main Ave.

Penrod said deportations are up 38 percent this year in the United States, and "families are so fearful that they are self-deporting.

"It would be an economic disaster for this county if we have a lot of labor self-deporting," she said.

The packets include a bilingual wallet card, a to-do checklist prepared by a social worker, names of lawyers who do immigration law, and a power of attorney form to protect the rights of minor children.

"We are distributing them by the dishpan full," Penrod said.

Although the packets originated in Roosevelt County, Penrod said they've been spread by concerned individuals and organizations from Tennessee to California.

"People say I have radical politics," Penrod says, but she disagrees.

"I have radical religion," she insists. "We have to get back to the basics - love one another and help one another ... stand up and yell, 'That's not right!' anytime we see a need.

"Social works runs deep in my family," Penrod said. "I don't think I could have been anything except who I am."

Although she may have been slowed by age and health issues, Penrod says firmly, "I am determined I'll die with my boots on."

Betty Williamson thinks we all need more of the three Cs. You may reach her at: [email protected]