(From left) Pastor Dianne Garcia accepts the 2026 Oscar Romero Award from Rothko Chapel Board Member Rev. Laura Mayo and Chief Engagement Officer, Kelly Johnson.
Pastor Dianne Garcia, pastor of IWC collaborating partner Roca de Refugio and its ministry Nuevos Vecinos, was awarded the 2026 Rothko Chapel Oscar Romero Award. Since 1986, the Rothko Chapel has given an award to grassroots activists who are working under extraordinary circumstances to advance human rights, often without widespread recognition and at great personal risk.
This award is named in honor of Saint Óscar Romero of San Salvador, who was murdered in March 1980 while conducting Catholic Mass in a local hospital chapel. He is recognized internationally as a martyr and has inspired countless others to advocate for justice even in the face of great economic and political pressure.
You can hear her acceptance speech at timestamp 45:01 of this video.
