The City of Dallas lost a groundbreaking Latina activist and attorney when Adelfa Botello Callejo passed away from brain cancer on Saturday. She was 90 years old.

"She was larger than life," said her nephew John David Gonzales according to the Dallas Morning News. "It was amazing over the course of this to see the positive energy she mustered."

Callejo lived long enough to see an elementary school in Dallas named in her honor. It was at the dedication of this school that she made one of her last public appearances.

"Only through education will we make the world a better place than we found it," she told the crowd as she stood up from her wheelchair, recalls KERA public radio of Dallas.

Education was a key accomplishment in the life of Callejo, being the first Hispanic woman to graduate from Southern Methodist University's law school.

"I am the daughter of an immigrant," Callejo told the crowd at the 2006 Mega March on Immigration in Dallas. "I was born in this country. I first marched in 1932 in Millett, Texas. My father, Felix Botello, led that march. I was the interpreter for that small group of immigrant parents protesting an injustice to one of their children."

In that first march, Callejo recalled walking four miles to the ranch of the school superintendent. Her father taught her the history of the United States and the struggle against England for the freedoms Americans have, including the right to protest.

"In my family, it was un-American to not protest," Callejo said.

"It is not enough to march ... we must vote," Callejo concluded to the Latinos gathered at the event.

A.C. Gonzalez was recently hired as the new City Manager of Dallas. He too, had a special memory of Callejo.

"Young man, many have fought hard to make sure you have the opportunity you now have," he recalled her telling him to KERA. "I want no favors for myself, but what I want is for you to keep in mind always. Never forget from where you came and serve the community accordingly."