PÉREZ, BEATRIZ TAGLE (1923-1991). Beatriz Tagle Pérez, leader in the American G.I. Forum of Texas and the Mexican American Democrats, was born in Nueces County on December 23, 1923, to Filiberto and Estefana (Cisneros) Tagle. She attended public schools in Petronila and Banquete. In 1939 she married Helio Pérez, and they had eight children. Pérez began her work with the American G.I. Forum in 1959 in Corpus Christi, where she served as its local head for thirty years. She contributed to the organization's efforts against the segregation of Mexican-American public-school students. In 1976 she became state treasurer for AGIF. Pérez was also a member of Volunteers in Service to America and a volunteer registrar for the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project. In addition, she served on her local United States Selective Service Board. In 1986 she was elected to one term as vice chair of the Mexican American Democrats. Pérez died on August 16, 1991, in Corpus Christi, and was buried in Robstown following a service at the Segunda Iglesia Bautista.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Carl Allsup, The American G.I. Forum: Origins and Evolution (University of Texas Center for Mexican American Studies Monograph 6, Austin, 1982). Corpus Christi Caller-Times, August 18, 1991. The Forumeer: Official Publication of the American G.I. Forum of the U.S., November 1991. Henry A. J. Ramos, A People Forgotten, A Dream Pursued: The History of the American G.I. Forum, 1948-1972 (N.p.: American G.I. Forum, 1983).
