TRANSCRIPTION
What was your fondest childhood memory?
My childhood memory was that our family was very united very close to the church. My parents treated us all the same. They did not discriminate; if one got punished we all got punished.
Did you have any dreams growing up?
My dream was to get married someday and just stay home. That is how it was back then. I can remember my father saying my brother was the only one going to college because he was a man and needed to support his family. For us girls if we wanted we could go to college, but it wasn't enforced.
Did you have any family traditions you were raised with or that you still continue?
Yes, during Christmas we as a family went to midnight mass. Also, I remember as I was growing and I also continued with my boys. Was that after church on Sundays my father would stop and pickup breakfast, barbacoa . Then we would go home and have breakfast and tell him about our week because he was always TDY. One by one we would tell him. We had an open family relationship.
Did you grow up with religion?
Yes, yes as a child we had to be. My parents were very involved in the church. My father was an usher for the church and my mother was a Guadalupana. We went to confession every Sat. and church every Sunday.
In high school did you play sports or engage in other activities?
Yes, I was in choir, I ran, played table tennis, tennis.
Did you meet a lot of people through sports?
Yes , yes. I know a lot of people to this day I still keep in contact with them
Were there any teachers that made an impact on your life?
I think it was my coach in middle school, Ms. Garcia and Ms. Tijerina, they really encouraged us girls. To this day I about ten years ago I got a card from Ms. Garcia.
Were you allowed to date?
Not really. We would go to dances at St. Francis or other schools. One of the girl's parents would take us to the dance and then my father would pick us up from the dance and take us home.
As a teenager what were some popular style clothes?
I remember and I don't have a picture though. I remember using the black skirt, tight, black skirt and white blouse, with suspenders. We used petti coats with a lot of starch, and of course the hair with the puff and a curl towards the bottom of the hair.
What kind of music did you like? Were there any popular dances?
No I like oldies. The 50's like Chubby Checker and Elvis.
Did you work while you were in high school?
My junior year I started working because I was taking cosmetology. I started working part-time in one of my mother's friend's beauty salon. Then I started working at Winn's.
What were some of the challenges you experienced as a widow with children? How did you overcome those challenges?
Well, I was pregnant again with my second boy. I can say I was blessed because I had both parents. Yes it was hard; I went to live with my parents for six months after I had my second boy, Patrick. I was blessed because I had good relationships with my friends and my neighbors. What kept me going was that I had to be a role model for my boys. My faith was very strong. The priest also helped me by motivating me to keep strong.
What was it like coaching the Girls CYO Softball Team?
Well, it all started because I wanted to be a role model for my sons. I had them involved in a lot of things they were in CYO Baseball. Since we were always at Don Boscos church because I also taught CCD there, they asked me if I wanted to coach the Girls Softball Team. I told them I didn't want to coach. They said the girls didn't have anyone to volunteer coach. So I went ahead and volunteered. These girls were little trouble makers they had hickees all over their necks. I guess it was the style. I told them if they were going to represent the church they could not come with all the hickees on their neck. They would just say ah Ms. I told them if you're gonna come to practice you're gonna come to practice... Their parents were amazed how under controlled I had them. We only won one game. They didn't know how to play ball and I didn't know how to coach. They were interested, they came to practice and it would keep them out of trouble. We had a lot of fun.
Working twenty in schools what changes did you experience in the school districts?
I worked with seniors, junior and seniors, but mainly seniors. It was a new program, because I only had my associate's degree, to help them pass a state test in order for them to graduate. There were a lot from Mexico that didn't know how to speak English very well. It was successful. I got to help them one to one. I would help motivate them, tell them to take their time. I wasn't a counselor but sometimes they needed someone to talk to. I say a lot of them grow. Now some of them have graduated college. Now some of them are parents and have even invited me to their child's baptisms.
What are some changes you have experienced within the Catholic Church?
I think when I was growing up it was all family. The family took you to church, the family to you to CCD. Now what I see as the director here is a different era. The upbringing is not the same because now both parents have to work. It makes it very difficult for the catechist teachers to teach everything they need to know, especially for sacramental classes. Some of them (students) don't even know prayers because they don't pray at night, which we did. The mother and father both work and they don't have time for that. They expect my catechist to teach them all this to when they should have been taught, especially the sign of the cross, while they were growing up. Parents say they, well, no, that is why we send them. ( Maria Elena replies :) No, you also have to be there for them because you are their first teachers. Now we are helping them out. But, you need to also help. Now, of course there are younger mothers. There young to where they think we are baby sitters on Sundays. I don't know... there is not a family unity like there used to be.
Have you noticed or experienced changes in women's roles in our society in general?
As the women's role there are a lot of better advantages for us women. But we have to go out there and say we can do it. You know right now I have parents that make excuses. Oh, But I'm a single Parent. I was a single parent. I was there for my boys. I was doing my homework in the parking lot while they were at practice. They need to get more involved with their children.
Who were some woman role models in your life?
I had a sister-n-law who was much older. She was my role model; my mother was my role model. My mother was a very strong woman so was my cunada. They stood up for women's rights. They were my role models.
How important is family to you?
It comes up with your family up bringing my family is very important. I was blessed with my first husband and then I was blessed with my second husband, who my sons accepted and love very much. Family unity is very important.
What advice would you like to offer to other women or young girls today?
To respect themselves so other can respect them. If they have children get close to their children because family unity is beautiful. To share… To have faith… because if you don't have faith you don't have anything.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview?
We as women need to believe in ourselves and aim for our dreams. One way is through education, respect, other people and unity.
