Gladys Santiago, former City Council president, remembered as fearless trailblazer

Former Rochester City Council President Gladys Santiago, described as a trailblazer in Rochester's Hispanic community who fought for others' rights, died Thursday. She was 75.

Ms. Santiago served on City Council for 13 years ― between August 1996, when she was appointed to the post by her fellow council members, and December 2009. She was vice-president of City Council for a decade and president for her final two years. For 23 years, she worked for the Ibero-American Action League, where she served as a senior vice president and was an interim president and chief executive officer.

"A pioneer and trailblazer in the Hispanic community, Gladys was a tireless advocate for civil rights, language access and ensuring equity," said current City Council President Miguel Meléndez Jr.

She was well-connected and respected by many, he said.

"Under her leadership, projects like La Marketa (International Plaza) were driven by her vision and advocacy," Meléndez said. "She never lost sight of where she came from, she was a very caring individual and known as a great leader who uplifted community. We are thankful for her pledge to a life of public service to all Rochesterians."

A tribute to her decades of work to bring the project to fruition, Ms. Santiago's image is etched into one of the pillars at the plaza.

"Gladys was a strong advocate not only for the community and the City of Rochester, but for every soul within her sphere of influence," her obituary reads. "Her ability to represent and be the voice to every man, woman and child that crossed her path was her strongest and most courageous trait."

'She led with her heart'

Longtime friend Daisy Rivera Algarin said that Ms. Santiago would blush to hear such accolades, but they were deserved.

"People will remember her for her advocacy, her belly fire for justice, particularly for Latina women," she said. The pair shared a passion for Latinas Unidas, a local volunteer group that supports Latina women, and Ms. Santiago loved connecting with and empowering youth. Algarin laughed as she recalled how Ms. Santiago would pass by her friends to first speak with young girls at Latinas Unidas events.

"She led with her heart," Algarin said.

Algarin, who worked in the basement of City Hall at the time Ms. Santiago led City Council, laughed as she recalled her late friend walking through "the cubes" of the office calling out her name, as well as many lengthy lunch meetings and luncheons.

"I'm going to miss her," Algarin said. "She touched so many lives, people who knew her personally, and others who were impacted by her work."

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, who served as the president of Rochester City School District's Board of Education as Ms. Santiago led City Council said he and Ms. Santiago will forever share a bond as the pair worked together on many issues, including improving the relationship between the city and school district.

"Gladys was the epitome of what a City Councilmember should be," Evans said. "She cared deeply about people and the neighborhoods they lived in, and dedicated her career to lifting people out of poverty and addressing crime and substance abuse. She will be remembered forever for her relentless advocacy for Rochester's Latino community."

Eugenio Martin, another longtime friend and colleague, described Ms. Santiago as a caring, transparent and diligent woman who was dedicated to the people who needed her help.

"She was persistent to the point that some people might say she is stubborn," said Martin, who worked with Ms. Santiago at Ibero for decades and served as her legislative assistant, campaign manager and confidant over the years. "There was no way to dissuade her from something once she set her mind to it. She was a fierce advocate for the community and really left an imprint."

Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons, a Monroe County legislator, described Ms. Santiago as a mentor, a motivator and a longtime friend. Vazquez-Simmons was a child when she first met Ms. Santiago, who was close with her mother.

"Growing up with her, for me the sky was the limit," Vazquez-Simmons said. "Gladys was a trailblazer for Latinas in politics. She lifted the ceiling" and worked hard to advocate for a more equitable city, particularly with housing initiatives and combating poverty.

"She was a pistol who commanded attention" and passionate about the community, Vazquez-Simmons said. Ms. Santiago was fearless and never hesitated to ask tough questions.

An inspiration to her family

Born in New York City and raised in Puerto Rico, Ms. Santiago moved to Rochester in the early 1960s when she was 16, alongside her young husband, as the couple expected their first child, said daughter Vivian Santiago, who now lives in Florida. The pair later divorced and Ms. Santiago raised her children while instilling love and knowledge of the Puerto Rican culture, music, dancing as well as the importance of education, Vivian Santiago said.

"She was a lifelong learner and went full force on education," she said As young mother, Ms. Santiago toted her infant daughter along to college classes, which she attended while also working full-time and managing her family's home.

"She wanted us to be independent but also take care of one another," Vivian Santiago said.

Ms. Santiago loved music (and enjoyed dancing), had a great sense of humor and fiercely loved her family.

Her granddaughter Ryan Cruz served as a caretaker in Ms. Santiago's later years and said that the pair regularly shared meaningful conversations.

"She inspired me a lot to do more in life, and pushed me to continue my education no matter what was going on," she said. "She was and will always be a huge part of my family's lives."

Son Jaime Santiago described his mother as a woman of faith who was proud of her heritage and stressed the importance of education. She was also quick to encourage.

"'Don't let anyone tell you you can't do anything,' she would say," he said.

In addition to her two children Vivian and Jaime Santiago, Ms. Santiago was survived by seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. at the New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 6 Empire Blvd., Rochester and on Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Church, 859 N. Clinton Ave., Rochester. Her funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael's Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Ibero Hispanic Scholarship Fund or Wounded Warrior Project.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ex-Rochester council president Gladys Santiago funeral mass info