The Filipino community of Stockton gathered in respectful remembrance and honor of Dr. Dawn Mabalon, a celebrated historian and influential presence, now immortalized through a dedicated portrait at Delta College. As a former student and fervent advocate for Filipino history and community empowerment, Dr. Mabalon’s portrait officially lit up the Delta College forum, aptly renamed in her honor, symbolizing her enduring impact.
During a heartfelt ceremony filled with poignant memories, attendees filled the seats of the auditorium, the same one where Dr. Mabalon’s scholarly journey began, to celebrate a life notably shortened by a tragic accident in 2018. Recounted by her sister, Darleen Mabalon, according to CBS Sacramento, “It’s overwhelming because she was a student here,” said Darleen Mabalon. “She sat in these classrooms. To know she’s going to be here, she gave birth to hundreds of activists, students, some on the panel today were her mentors, so it’s all full-circle. My sister was very powerful.”
Dawn Mabalon’s legacy is far-reaching, encompassing her roles as a co-founder of the Little Manila Foundation and as a guiding force in the fight for social justice and preservation of Filipino history. Her work earned her multiple accolades and solidified her status as an advocate on both a national and global stage. According to her sister in a statement to CBS Sacramento, “Decades of fight and struggle, we worked alongside Caesar Chavez, which was Larry Itliong. We were a part of the biggest strikes that would help with the union labor,” Darleen said. “That was one of the biggest things I learned from my sister. She wanted to make sure we had a voice.”…