Series:

"La Batalla Está Aquí": The Chicana/o Movement in Los Angeles

Topic:

Social Movements

Latina and Latino History

Chicano Movement

Biographical Note:

Founder of Hijas de Cuauhtemoc, Encuentro Feminil, and La Feminista, publications focused on issues relating to feminism and the Chicana community. Created a Chicana studies curriculum at California State University, Northridge, served as assistant professor in their Chicano studies department.

Interviewer:

Espino, Virginia

Interviewee:

NietoGomez, Anna

Persons Present:

NietoGomez and Espino.

Place Conducted:

NietoGomez's home in Lakewood, California.

Supporting Documents:

Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library’s Center for Oral History Research.

Interviewer Background and Preparation:

The interview was conducted by Virginia Espino, UCLA Center for Oral History Research. B.A., UC, Santa Cruz (Psychology); Ph.D., Arizona State University (History).

Processing of Interview:

The transcripts for sessions one through seven are a verbatim transcription of the recording. They were transcribed by a professional transcribing agency using a list of proper names and specialized terminology supplied by the interviewer. NietoGomez was then given an opportunity to review the transcript and made a few corrections and additions. Those corrections were entered into the text without further editing or review on the part of the Center for Oral History Research staff. COHR staff prepared timed logs of the audio recordings for sessions eight through eleven. NietoGomez was given the opportunity to review the log in order to supply missing or misspelled names and verify the accuracy of the content but made no changes.

Length:

24 hrs.

Language:

English

Copyright:

Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.

Audio:

Series Statement:

The interviews in this series document the ideological transformation of the Chicana and Chicano generation in Los Angeles. Dissatisfied with their position in U.S. society, Chicana and Chicano activists built a civil rights movement from the ground up. Interviewees were selected based on their experience as members or leaders of Chicana and Chicano Movement organizations from 1962 to 1978. Collectively the oral histories document a variety of social justice struggles that include, but are not limited to, educational improvement, union advocacy, voting and political rights, gender equality, and anti-war activism.

NietoGomez’s family roots— Mother’s family history in Zacatecas, Mexico— The kidnapping of great-grandmother — Grandmother’s response to kidnapping— Great-grandmother’s return— Family moves to Coahuila, Mexico— Great-grandmother’s second child and correspondence with family in United States— Family’s migration to United States by railroad— Great-grandmother raises family in Kansas— Grandmother’s sister’s death— Great-grandfather’s history in Mexican Revolution— How great-grandfather met great-grandmother— Grandfather’s Puerto Rican background— Grandfather’s family background— Grandfather’s history and immigration to the U.S. through New Orleans— Grandfather’s life in Chicago and railroad work— Grandfather’s courting of grandmother— Grandmother’s marriage and mother’s birth— Great-grandmother’s decision to raise mother— Family’s work in New Mexico mines— Grandfather’s work on railroads in New Mexico and Arizona— Mother’s life with great-grandmother— Family’s life and Mexican identity living in Arizona— Family’s schooling and interaction with the Navajo community— Mother’s integrated education— Great-grandmother’s attempt to pull mother out of school.

Mother’s return to school— The life of the extended family in Arizona— Grandfather’s relocation and family's moves— Grandmother delivers a thirteenth child and pulls second oldest child out of school— Relocation back to Houck, Arizona— Mother lives with future husband's parents— Father’s family background— Paternal grandmother's history and marriage to grandfather— Grandfather’s death and grandmother’s remarriage— Father’s work as a youth and his enlistment in the army— The name “NietoGomez”— Father’s history as a military medic and member of Merrill’s Marauders— Father’s experience in the army as a Mexican American— Father receives Silver Star for his service— Father’s postwar injuries— His return to New Mexico and his experience of PTSD— Father’s move to San Bernardino— His experience with the Veterans Administration— Mother’s return to Houck and family’s move to San Bernardino— Mother’s work for Santa Fe railroad— Family’s experience with racial segregation in San Bernardino— History of the Mount Vernon neighborhood in San Bernardino— Parents marry— Great-grandmother’s requirements for last rites— Father and great-grandfather build house— Great-grandfather leaves— Great-grandmother’s death.

Segregation in San Bernardino— Family’s move to San Bernardino and displacement by Caltrans— Father does a variety of jobs— Father’s mortuary education and family move to Ramona Gardens— Father’s involvement in the American Legion— NietoGomez’s asthma in Ramona Gardens— Move to Cajon Pass with grandfather— Father’s work at a mortuary— Father’s training in aeronautic school, relocation to Cajon Pass, and work at Victorville Air Force Base— Mother goes back to work for Santa Fe railroad— NietoGomez’s shyness in kindergarten— Family moves to Bakersfield— NietoGomez’s asthma attacks in elementary school— Family builds house in San Bernardino— NietoGomez’s latchkey childhood— Relationship with her grandparents— Family’s differing religious views and NietoGomez’s communion— NietoGomez’s desire to become a nun.