American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). In 1985, Zapata was named Woman of the Year by the Hispanic Women's Council. In 1986, Zapata was the recipient of the Best Translation Award from the journal Dramalogue. Granted an honorary doctorate in human services from Sierra University. In 1991, she was among nine Californian artists, arts organizations, and patrons to receive the Governor's Award for the Arts. In 1999, Zapata was knighted by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain and received El Lazo de Dama del Orden del Mérito Civil, the Civil Order of Merit. In 2003, Zapata received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Philanthropy Throughout her life, Zapata was involved in various charitable events including sitting on the board of the United Way, the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, the KCET Community Advisory Board, the Boy Scouts of America, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the National Repertory Theatre Foundation, and member of the City of Los Angeles Mayor's Committee on the Arts, the California Arts Council's Ethnic Advisory Minority Panel, and many other organizations. She has also served as a panel member of the Expansion Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Los Angeles Special Olympics Events Committee, and other programs. Zapata was a practicing Roman Catholic and a registered Democrat. Death Zapata died in Los Angeles, California on January 5, 2014, from heart disease; she was 86 years old. Filmography See also List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Bilingual Foundation of the Arts References External links 1927 births 2014 deaths American film actresses American television actresses American actresses of Mexican descent American people of Argentine descent Actresses from New York City Singers from New York City 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers New York (state) Democrats California Democrats American Roman Catholics 21st-century American women