Dr. Adélamar “Dely” Alcántara was a fierce advocate for social justice and equity, especially for Asian Americans. Two memorial trusts in her name have been established with Albuquerque Community Foundation to ensure her legacy continues. The first will fund New Mexico Filipino cultural activities; the other supports the New Mexico Asian Family Center.

Her husband of 44 years, Dr. Theodore (Ted) Jojola, established the trusts after her death in late 2019. “Part of my own healing from her loss is to take resources and distribute them and let others share and reap the benefits.”

History, cultural and educational activities were very important to Dely, says Ted. “She was very much an advocate of raising the visibility of Filipinos and Asian Americans in New Mexico both in her professional role as demographer for the State of New Mexico and her personal life, whether through establishing the Rio Grande chapter of the Filipino American Historical Society, mobilizing support to complete a memorial in Albuquerque’s Bataan Park or founding the Filipino American Community Council.”

In 2006, she founded the New Mexico Asian Family Center specifically to provide support for victims and survivors of domestic violence and related services to members of the Asian and Pacific Islands community.

“I know the track record of Albuquerque Community Foundation,” says Ted. “It’s really smart that communities can be supported in this way.”