In Memoriam: Remembering Roberto Maestas

Roberto Maestas

Roberto Maestas, one of Seattle's earliest social justice organizers and founder of El Centro de la Raza, passed away on Sept. 22, at age 72. Perhaps best known for his role as one of the "Four Amigos," a multiracial alliance that included Larry Gossett, Bob Santos and the late Bernie Whitebear, Roberto’s community organizing and social justice efforts had helped shape Seattle since the 1970s. While pursuing his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the UW in the 1960s, he became involved with the Chicano student activism, participated in the fight to open up construction jobs to black workers and supported farmworkers' rights in the Yakima valley.

Roberto had a special relationship with the UW School of Social Work. He was often a guest lecturer in classes, and participated in many of the school’s community outreach initiatives. In addition, many SSW students and alumni have worked at El Centro, both as practicum students and eventual employees. Nicole Keenan, a second-year MSW student, worked as an assistant for El Centro’s Hope for Youth Program, which gives youth of color the opportunity to learn more about their communities and their contributions to the U.S. When asked about her experience with Maestas, Keenan replied, "Roberto constantly worked to develop the leadership of others. He always supported my growth. He even wrote my recommendation for the MSW program."

In a statement to The Seattle Times, Roberto’s wife, Estela Ortega, said, "Roberto's legacy is multiracial unity. He believed in peoples of color and progressives coming together to make change in our city, our state and our nation. Anybody you talk to will say that is one of his biggest contributions."