Community Characters

Interview Description Barbara Gutierrez, 64, tells StoryCorps Mobile Facilitator Alejandro De La Cruz, 28, about the difficulties she experienced growing up as a Latina in the predominantly White west side of Los Angeles, about her parents, and about her work in education. Facilitator Subject Log 2:25 BG talks about her parents' background and her father's business, a jewelry factory. Father was a WWII veteran. 5:50 BG talks about her school...

Interview Description Sandra Heralda, 59, talks to her sister Gracie Apodaca, 60, and her niece Corina Apodaca Lash, 32, about the community she grew up, her education and work life, and her mother. Facilitator Subject Log 5:55 SH recalls when she first grew aware that her family was poor and of her socioeconomic status. At her first job at City Hall, people would be surprised that someone had brown eyes. 11:00 SH remembers some of her favorite...

Interview Description Carol Jacques talks to her husband, Bill rumble about her grandparents' emigration to the US from Mexico at the turn of the century and the community of Chavez Ravine where her family had their home until the community was razed. Facilitator Subject Log 01:11 Carol's grandparents and stories of their lives in poverty in Mexico. When they emigrated to the US, the family carried a stone corn-grinder called a metate all the way....

Interview Description Graciela Kavullo (68) talks with husband Timothy Kavulla (65) about her grandmother Adelida Garza Reyes and her work as a midwife in Mexico. Facilitator Subject Log 01:00 Graciela talks about having trouble knowing how to pronounce her grandmother's name when she was a younger child. She remembers always calling her "Abuelita "[grandmother] Ipa. 05:00 Graciela talks about how her grandmother got into midwifery in Mexico after she...

Interview Description Sara Elena Loiza (47) talks with partner Ara Najarian (44) about her life in a multicultural family. Facilitator Subject Log 01:10 Sara talks about her father Larry Finkelberg. She talks about his family's lineage. 03:10 Sara talks about her mother who is originally from Mexico City. 16:00 Sara talks about the bakery her family owned. 24:40 Sara talks about her identity and growing up as a Jewish Latina in...

Interview Description Siblings Samuel Marin, 14, and Yanely Marin, 17, talk about memories of their father's illness, their family, their favorite movies and TV shows, their neighborhood and school, and their aspirations. Facilitator Subject Log 0:40 Siblings talk about their father's convulsions and stay in hospital six years ago. They reflect about how life changed for them. 13:55 Siblings discuss and admire their family's unity, especially in...

Interview Description Jesus Martinez (92) talks with his daughter Linda Martinez (52) and Delia Navarro (56) about the lessons he's learned in his life and the people that have influenced him. Facilitator Subject Log 01:00 Jesus was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He talks about his childhood and his family. 04:00 Jesus talks about going to a segregated school and working as a newspaper boy. 08:00 Jesus talks about the different advice...

Interview Description Juanita Alice Mora, 69, tells her son Dino Mora, 46, about her parents, her life in East L.A., her schooling, and her husband. Facilitator Subject Log 1:05 JM's parents were born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but settled in East Los Angeles. 4:10 JM recalls the schools she attended in East Los Angeles, some of her teachers, and shares anecdotes about the services that schools offered. 10:24 JM recalls meeting her husband....

Interview Description Ana Ochoa, de 54 años, habla con Jeanette Diez Martínez, trabajadora en la bibioteca de San Luis de 49 años, acerca de las condiciones de trabajo que buscaba cambiar la unión de trabajadores campesinos (UFW, por sus siglas en Inglés) y sus envolvimiento con el sindicato. [Ana Ochoa, 54, talks to San Luis library worker Jeanette Diez Martínez, 49, about the field working conditions that the United Farm Workers (UFW) sought to change and her own involvement with the...

Interview Description Carmen Ornelas-Perez, 69, tells her friend and mentee Erica Jacquez, 35, about her pioneering career in Democratic Party politics, shares lessons learned, and gives Erica advice for a future career in politics. Facilitator Subject Log 1:00 CP recalls the sense of community felt in East LA while she was growing up and shares from neighborhood anecdotes. 5:00 CP talks about segregation in the local public pool: Latino children...