In The Community
These founders, seasoned veterans of the civil rights organization the Brown Berets, had witnessed firsthand the stark gender disparities within their ranks. Women's pivotal contributions were relegated to secretarial roles, their voices often suppressed. This discontent echoed second-wave feminism sentiments, prompting the trio to establish an alternative, Las Adelitas de Aztlan.
(Courtesy of Project Pulso - for more Latine history, follow them on their Instagram @projectpulso).
Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Gloria Arellanes was no stranger to systemic racism and discrimination. Determined to address these injustices, she conceived an organization that could provide the much-needed structure, security, and community that numerous young Mexican Americans yearned for.
Though the Brown Berets had already made significant strides in advocating for Mexican-American civil rights, workers' rights, and anti-war sentiments, Las Adelitas de Aztlan aimed to build upon this foundation. Drawing from the unique experiences of its founders, this emerging organization took on a broader mission: not only addressing societal issues but also actively promoting women's rights within the Latino community.
Las Adelitas de Aztlán achieved remarkable progress in advancing women's reproductive rights and healthcare. They passionately advocated for accessible birth control, abortion, sex education, and childcare. Much of their work in these areas was inspired by the founders' previous experience of establishing free clinics, a legacy that originated during their time with the Brown Berets.
During the 1971 Conferencia de Mujeres por la Raza, which marked the inaugural National Chicana Conference, Las Adelitas de Aztlán played a pivotal role in illuminating gender discrimination and the significance of women's roles. They emerged as a crucial voice, bringing attention to the frequently overlooked issues within the Mexican-American community.
Las Adelitas de Aztlán, not just an organization but a powerful platform, empowered Mexican-American women to challenge patriarchal norms, demand accountability, and advocate for equal access to education, politics, and social life. Their role extended beyond gender issues, as they also played a vital part in nurturing Chicano nationalism, which was crucial for the broader Chicano civil rights movement.
Through their name, they celebrated the strength, bravery, and independence of women, instilling cultural and historical pride. Their enduring contributions to the civil rights movement stand as a testament to the brave, unwavering spirit of Chicana and Latina women.
- Pachucas: The Chic Fashion Rebels of 1940s Mexico ›
- The Lost History of the Adelitas of the Mexican Revolution ›
Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1916, Emma's story begins in a community where Mexican American working-class families, like her own, were caught in a web of economic disparity. It was against this backdrop that young Emma first became aware of the inequalities that would later shape her life's mission.
The year 1938 saw the plight of pecan shellers in San Antonio reach a tipping point. Earning between $2 and $3 per week, these laborers faced back-breaking hours in hazardous conditions, so appalling that they spawned a local tuberculosis crisis. The situation worsened when their meager wages were slashed even further, driving the workers, many of whom were Latinas, to rise against their oppressors.
At the forefront of this rebellion stood Emma Tenayuca, who was only 22 at the time. Alongside her were other women, union organizers who had risen from the ashes of the industrial revolution. Together, they led 12,000 pecan shellers into a three-month-long strike. Emma, with her unwavering courage and determination, became a beacon of hope, leading the charge for better wages and improved working conditions.
As the echoes of the protest reverberated across San Antonio, 700 of these brave strikers were detained, a stark testament to the city officials' fear of an awakened and empowered Latino community. Even as the government later admitted the egregious violation of the strikers' civil rights, the damage had been done, casting a long shadow over the city's handling of the strike.
The strike, however, ended with the somber replacement of the workers with shelling machines. Though many lost their jobs, their sacrifice was not forgotten. The city's political climate shifted, as the overpolicing and suppression of the strikers came under scrutiny, their voices forever imprinted in the heart of San Antonio.
Despite the perceived defeat, the ripples of the Pecan Shellers' Strike extended far beyond the city, contributing to the creation of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This legislation established a national minimum wage, immortalizing the fight of Emma Tenayuca and the shellers in the annals of labor reform history.
The tides of time swept Emma away from San Antonio as she was blacklisted for her association with the Communist Party. Relocating to California, she immersed herself in her studies, dedicating her life to teaching and remaining an unwavering advocate for the disadvantaged.
Emma Tenayuca's tale may not be commonly told alongside the stories of her more recognized contemporaries, yet it reverberates with undeniable power and inspiration. Her fight for labor rights in the harsh landscape of the 1930s, her fearless advocacy for justice and equality, and her lasting legacy remain an emblem of strength and hope, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for labor workers’ rights for the betterment of our community.
For more Latino stories that your history classes probably didn't teach you, don’t forget to follow Project Pulso.
- Pachucas: The Chic Fashion Rebels of 1940s Mexico ›
- The Lost History of the Adelitas of the Mexican Revolution ›
- 5 Things You Didn't Know About Dolores Huerta - Luz Media ›
Dolores Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association and championed labor and civil rights for farmworkers in the United States.via Wikimedia Commons
Dolores Huerta, a prominent figure in the Chicano Movement, embodies the indomitable spirit of Latinas in their pursuit of equal rights. Alongside Cesar Chavez, she co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (now known as the United Farm Workers, UFW). Huerta's contributions to the labor rights movement extended beyond co-founding the UFW. She also negotiated the historic UFW's 1970 contract with grape growers, which for the first time, recognized the rights of farmworkers. Her famous rallying cry, "Si, se puede" (Yes, we can), remains an enduring symbol of the movement.
But Huerta was far from alone. Latinas were at the forefront of many battles during the Chicano Movement, fighting for educational reform, against gender discrimination, for farmworkers' rights, and against police brutality. Women like Maria L. de Hernandez, who advocated for Mexican-American women's participation in politics, and Josephine Fierro de Bright, a member of the executive committee of the Mexican Civil Rights Committee, stood shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts, amplifying the voices of Chicanas and Latinas.
Josephine Fierro de Bright, as a member of the Mexican Civil Rights Committee's executive committee, worked diligently to protect and advance the civil rights of Mexican-Americans, advocating for voting rights, social justice, and against racial discrimination.via Wikimedia Commons
Integral to this narrative is the intellectual work and activism of Gloria Anzaldúa, a Chicana feminist and queer theorist. Born in South Texas, Anzaldúa was a prolific writer, scholar, and activist who fundamentally challenged traditional views on identity and intersectionality.
Her seminal work, "Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza," serves as an exploration of her life as a Chicana-Tejana lesbian growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border. This book argues that the border is not just a physical location but a flexible, psychological space that can be both alienating and liberating.
Gloria Anzaldúa, as a Chicana feminist and queer theorist, contributed seminal works exploring intersectional identities and borders, enhancing understanding and advocacy for marginalized communities.via Wikimedia Commons
Like Dolores Huerta and the many women who have taken up the mantle of activism in this cause, Anzaldúa's writings and activism extend the fight for justice beyond traditional boundaries, interweaving gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation into a nuanced vision of equality.
The influence of the Chicano Movement and its courageous activists is not limited to history books. It reverberates in today's society, inspiring a new generation of activists.
Figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress, embody the legacy of the trailblazing Latinas of the Chicano Movement. AOC is Puerto Rican, but regularly uses her platform to champion issues like immigration reform, affordable healthcare, and climate change that affects all Latinos.
As a congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez uses her platform to advocate for issues crucial to the Latina community, such as immigration reform, affordable healthcare, and climate change.via: Wikimedia Commons
Present-day activists like Carmen Perezare taking up the mantle in unique ways. Perez is an award-winning, internationally-known civil and human rights leader and Chicana feminist who has committed her work to civil rights issues, placing a particular focus on mass incarceration, women's rights and gender equity, violence prevention, racial healing, and community policing.
Perez serves as the President and CEO of The Gathering for Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the abolishment of child incarceration and the eradication of racial disparities within the criminal justice system, founded by Harry Belafonte. In addition to her other roles, Perez also stood as one of the four national co-chairs of the 2017 Women's March. Her activism is an embodiment of the ongoing influence of the Chicano Movement, inspiring a new generation to continue the fight for equality and justice.
Carmen Perez, as an activist and Chicana feminist, fights for civil rights issues such as mass incarceration, women's rights, gender equity, and racial justice, which directly impact the Latina community.via The Gathering for Justice
Bottom Line: Si, Se Puede
The courage and resilience displayed by Latinas in the Chicano Movement have left an indelible mark on U.S. civil rights history. From Dolores Huerta's unyielding pursuit of farmworkers' rights to today's Latina activists tirelessly advocating for equality and justice, the role of Latinas remains vital. They continue to shape our communities, guided by the enduring spirit of "Si, se puede."
By recognizing and celebrating their contributions, we not only honor these women but also inspire future generations of Latinas to stand up, make their voices heard, and continue the fight for equality and justice. After all, as history shows, Latinas have never been afraid of a little revolution.
- Gloria Anzaldúa: A Defining Voice in the Queer and Chicano Movements ›
- Identity Labels 101: Hispanic, Latino, Latinx, and More ›
- 10 Fascinating Facts About Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta ›
