Pioneering “Lark of the Border” Recognized for Enormous Contribution to Culture and Music

LydiaMendoza-Forever-single-v5In tribute to the legends responsible for making American music part of global popular culture, USPS proudly launched the new Music Icons stamp series with the issuance Wednesday of a stamp honoring Lydia Mendoza, one of the first and greatest stars of Tejano music.

The was dedicated during a special ceremony featuring actor Jesse Borrego as master of ceremony at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio, Texas. Mendoza is the first to be honored in the new series, which will include stamps honoring legends Ray Charles and Johnny Cash later this year.

“The Postal Service is proud to introduce its new Music Icons stamp series with the issuance of this Forever stamp honoring the first lady of Tejano music, Lydia Mendoza,” said Marie Therese Dominguez, vice president, Government Relations and Public Policy. “Mendoza was a true American pioneer, whose unique voice and style of singing, paved the way for a whole new generation of Latino performers. Her impact on music guarantees her place in American music history, and today her legacy continues on 30 million postage stamps.”

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To help dedicate the new stamp, Dominguez was joined by Jesse Borrego, best known for the role of Jesse Velasquez in the hit TV series, Fame; San Antonio singer Rita Vidaurri, who is a member of the group Las Tesoros, which often accompanied Lydia Mendoza; Patty Ortiz, executive director, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center; Tejano musician Eva Ibarra; and several members of the Mendoza family.

To obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail, purchase the new stamps at your local Post Office, at usps.com/stamps, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. Apply the stamps to envelopes of your choice, address the envelopes to yourself or others, and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:

Lydia Mendoza Stamp
U.S. Postal Service
10410 Perrin Beitel Rd
San Antonio, TX 78284-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, USPS will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark for fewer than 50 requests. All orders must be postmarked by July 15.

The Lydia Mendoza Forever® stamp is now available for purchase at local Post Offices, online at www.usps.com/stamps, or by calling 800- STAMP24 (). As a Forever Stamp, it is good for mailing 1-ounce First-Class Mail® letters anytime in the future regardless of price changes.