Mabel Gonzalez was a woman who defied all expectations to care for her family. She never took no for an answer and fought for a better life, despite the obstacles and unimaginable loss that came her way. After Mabel passed away in January 2024 at the age of 62, her brain was donated to the UNITE Brain Bank for research. Below, her son Antony shares the Legacy of a mother whose strength, determination, and love knew no bounds.
Merriam-Webster offers numerous definitions for the word “mother,” reflecting the diverse ways it can be understood. Yet, none fully capture the essence of Mabel Gonzalez.
My mother embodied them all. She was a protector, nurturer, provider, advocate, teacher, and mentor. To others, she was a warrior, soldier, angel, sinner, and saint, caught in the eternal struggle for kindness, ethics, and morality in a world that often loses its way.
Mabel was an anomaly, someone who should not have existed. A descendant of an oppressed people spanning over eight centuries, she carried the spirit and soul of liberation, survival, and peace with every breath and through every moment she graced this earth.
She was the youngest daughter brought into a world which deemed women inferior – and women of color even more so. My mother embodied both identities, and her profound double consciousness manifested in her professional and personal pursuits, fighting tirelessly to be recognized in a fractured society that viewed women like her as shadows they couldn’t erase.
Mabel was a trailblazer who shattered glass ceilings and broke through walls simply to survive. She refused to perpetuate the intergenerational trauma of being a silenced woman, living in the shadow of a man. As a young adult, she rebelled against gender norms, racial stereotypes, and society’s expectations by becoming a voice for the voiceless – a mother who chose to speak alongside her children rather than from behind them.
Her conviction shone through in the way she parented her eldest son Luis, breaking cycles of disconnection and raising him with a revolutionary spirit of inclusion. Without formal knowledge of child development, she intuitively nurtured her children in alignment with the latest science, relying solely on her boundless love and instincts.
This enlightened approach to child rearing continued with her two other sons, who were seen and heard in ways their parents never were. Her resilience and awareness propelled Mabel to become a social pioneer, culminating in her role as the first-ever Parent Coordinator for New York City public schools under Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
But Mabel’s achievements did not end with her career. She dreamed of retiring in a place where she could savor the peace and dignity of true autonomy, having left an indelible mark on her family and community.
Mabel endured the unthinkable tragedy of losing her youngest son in an accident, an irreplaceable love lost forever. Yet, even in the face of this devastation, she became a grandmother while carrying the weight of her grief with grace and courage. No one I’ve ever known could weather the storm as she did, offering steadfast love and strength to those of us adrift.
My mother’s passion for women’s liberation and autonomy defined her life. She hoped her sacrifices would pave the way for a world where future generations of women would not face the same struggles she endured.
Some might wonder how this extraordinary woman connects to the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Mabel’s fight for a better life was constantly met with fierce resistance. Her battles left her a wounded healer—a testament to the urgency of recognizing and addressing the trauma endured by the human brain.
Head trauma knows no boundaries of race, class, or gender. Women often face this silent epidemic because of gender-based and intimate partner violence—realities as perilous as any sport. Contact sport athletes may accept the risks of their profession, but women should never have to accept risks to their safety and brain health simply for existing independently.
Mabel’s legacy serves as a clarion call to athletes and society alike. She wanted the world to recognize the dangerous “sport” of women and civilians enduring brain trauma, often while sacrificing themselves for their loved ones in unimaginable moments. Her life and death stand as a tribute to families forced to leave the sidelines and step in when courage is required.
My mother lived by the inspiring words of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, for she too “dreamed things that never were and said why not.”
I hope her Legacy continues to inspire future physicians and clinicians to bring awareness to communities that lack the resources to blow the whistle on gender-based violence. In spirit, she remains steadfast in her mission to uplift future generations of women, advocating for a world where being a woman is defined by love and compassion, not violence.
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If you or a loved one are in a domestic or family violence situation, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline here to speak with trained expert advocates who can offer support, education, and crisis intervention information. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.
