CHICAGO (WLS) — Maria Estela Parra never imagined this moment. For decades, she’s been sewing banners and flags that honor Chicago sports teams, and she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves.
The local woman was brought to tears when Derrick Rose’s Chicago Bulls jersey retirement banner was raised into the rafters at the United Center over the weekend.
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Parra is still processing all the emotions after her viral moment during Rose’s jersey retirement ceremony on Saturday.
The Chicago Bulls showed a video on the jumbotron, showcasing the hard work that went into creating D-Rose’s retirement jersey banner.
Parra’s granddaughter captured her grandmother’s reaction while they were at the United Center, at one point bringing her to tears. It caught the eye of the of the people sitting around her, at one point the crowd began chanting “MVP” to her.
Parra has been working at W.G.N. Flag and Decorating Company on the city’s South Side for 39 years. She was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and taught herself how to sew.
Parra leads major projects at W.G.N., including for the Chicago Blackhawks. She’s also sewn championship banners and the retirement jersey banners of other Bulls legends.
She says creating all of these banners have been important to her, but this last banner has drawn an unforgettable experience.
Without even realizing it, one can say Parra has achieved the American dream.
This moment and recognition has brought tremendous pride to her family, her boss, and team.
“Her humbleness, she is the first to say ‘No, no, this is everybody’s accomplishment,’ and that’s really just a testament to who she is,” said Carl “Gus” Porter, W.G.N. Flag and Decorating Company president and CEO.
As for what’s next for Maria Estela Parra , she has no intentions of slowing down or retiring anytime soon. She says her work brings her a lot of joy.
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