In the summer of 1952, she led her community members in a local struggle against the discriminatory effects of the controversial consolidation of Landrum District #3 with the San Benito Independent School District, which would have favored white and elite families over the poorer landowners in traditional rancherias.
[citation needed] She achieved high status among the rancherias during this struggle to advance the civil rights of the poorer, Mexican-American families in 'Deep South Texas'.
Tamez worked at the Audie L. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas from 1972 to 1982.
From 1982 to 1999, she was an officer, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, in the United States Army Reserve.
On October 25, 2008, she was sworn into the Texas State Guard Medical Brigade as Commander for the Rio Grande Valley Company.