Estela G. Ramirez’s Story
Estela Guerrero Ramirez was a proud, independent, and compassionate woman whose passion for learning and education drove her to be a guerrera for first generation students throughout her entire life. Estela was born in 1949 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. At the age of seven, she traveled with her mother and brother to reunite with her father in Oxnard, California who was working as a campesino. In 1960 the family bought their first home in Compton, California. Living in Compton presented many exciting possibilities and challenges, but through determination Estela was able to overcome the obstacles of learning a new language and an entirely new culture. Having come from humble but proud beginnings, Estela went on to become a first generation college student, first at community college and later earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, all while growing her own family.
At the age of 31, her husband unexpectedly passed away, and Estela was faced with the challenge of raising two young children on her own. In the hopes of providing a better life for her children, she returned to school and earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at the age of 40. She was a teacher, educational administrator, and business owner. Facing challenges head-on, she moved through life with integrity and pride. She succeeded at life.
Over the last 10 years of her life, she retired, sold her business and her house, and at age 68 returned to her beloved Mexico to fulfill her dream of traveling the world, her first stop being the city of San Miguel de Allende. For the next two years, she and her loyal dog, Milo, called San Miguel de Allende their home. She loved living in Mexico, traveling all over the country, while enjoying new adventures with family and new friends.
Estela G. Ramirez passed away in 2022, after a year-long battle with cancer. Estela’s love for her family that included her two children, four grandchildren, and a beautiful great-granddaughter showed in the example she set forth, never forgetting where she came from and always helping others to achieve dreams that they themselves felt unachievable.
Her love, intelligence, no-nonsense attitude, and compassion impacted many people. Her legacy of pursuing a higher education to fulfill your dreams will live on through her family and through Estela G. Ramirez Memorial Scholars.