She was a direct descendant of the Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, on her mother's side.

[2] In 1935, Méndez graduated from high school in Santurce; she earned her bachelor's degree in commercial education from the University of Puerto Rico in 1940.

An educational visionary, Méndez founded universities, television stations, college classes by mail and as mentioned above the associate degree.

[4] In 1965, Méndez became the "first" and only Puerto Rican woman amongst the Board of Directors of Eastern Air Lines.

In 1975, the Catholic University of Puerto Rico awarded to Méndez an honorary doctoral degree in humanities.