Nurturing Tradition Fostering Change

Patriotism, Community Service and the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Tony F. Soza-Ray Martínez Post 41

By Charles H. Sanderson Edited by Dr. Pete R. Dimas Photo on inside cover courtesy of American Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary Contents

The beginning ...... 5 The roots of activism ...... 7 The changing times...... 10 On the home front...... 12 The returning troops...... 14 Starting the Auxiliary...... 15 A well-baby clinic...... 16 Dancing through the ’50s...... 19 Taking up causes...... 22 Friendships born...... 24 Engaging leaders and fostering change...... 26 Shifting focus...... 29 Vietnam years...... 32 A generation comes home in the 1970s...... 35 Nurturing tradition...... 37 Convention time in the 1990s...... 39 The Auxiliary today...... 41

3 Photo on inside cover courtesy of American Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary Women’s 41 American Legion Post Photo on inside cover courtesy of A note from the Author

The year 2009 was not a favorite for many in Phoenix. Banks crumbled and companies folded. Politicians yelled and activists yelled back. For me, these things all fade into the background, replaced by memories of my grandmother Edith’s death. She was not just a grandmother to me. This fiesty woman, all spitfire and furrowed brow, was the most dominant woman of my life – the closest thing I had to a mother at all through a difficult childhood. When Latino Perspectives Magazine asked me to document the story of Post 41’s Auxiliary, it was more than a trip into South Phoenix history for me. With a different eye, I spent the last portion of the year listening to the words of Post 41’s Auxiliary members. I watched their faces, catching glimpses of a lost grandmother. A look; a phrase; all the hidden nuances in a dozen women came together like a jigsaw puzzle memory. They would talk of Christmas, and I could smell my grandmother’s tamales. When they talked of dances, I could see my grandmother doing the same. As these women told stories of how they nurtured a struggling community, and fostered change in Phoenix, they unwittingly helped me to conjure up my grandmother one last time. For this and their stories, I’m forever thankful to Lorraine Vasquez, Louise Vildosola, Lupe Valenzuela, Mary Córdova, Eleanor Abeytia and Dolores Peña. Current Auxiliary president Josephine Herrera, and past president Patsy Lugo were of invalu- able help, as were past Commander Robert Hernandez and so many more. I would be remiss if I did not point out this book would be nearly impossible without the help of Dr. Pete R. Dimas, Christine Marín and Jean Reynolds. Their contributions to the story of Mexican Americans in Phoenix have helped to piece together this city’s jigsaw puzzle of forgotten memories. The history of South Phoenix continues to be told in the smiles and words of those who have lived it. We simply need to listen.

Copyright © 2010

Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change, by Charles H. Sanderson Published by Latino Perspectives Media and by The Raul H. Castro Institute

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or guarantees with respect to the accuracy of the interviewees’ recollections, and specifically disclaim any intent to defame or slight any people, places, or organizations.

Second edition 2010, Phoenix, Arizona Printed in the United States of America.

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The beginning time. The night she described was January 30, 1948. At 9:00 p.m., Rebecca Valenzuela h e h e a t in p h o e n i x is breaking finally. called the meeting to order, and Post 41 TWith September gone and October member Efren Valenzuela began outlining half done, the waning weeks of 2009 have a the Women’s Auxiliary’s mission.1 gentler light. Louise Vildosola sits elegantly The Auxiliary had begun, nationally, in in a chair of her living room, with the glow 1919 alongside the new American Legion to of a midday sun across her face. The light unite the wives, sisters and mothers of vet- and shadow shows 91 gentle years mapped erans. The organization was born out of the out on her skin like beautiful lacework. Her need for women to come together and better son wanders through the house, working deal with the challenges of raising a family on some project as she remembers a day 61 while their husbands were off at war. The years gone. In her hands is an old photograph American Legion itself was chartered for the of several men; among them are her broth- veterans of wars. The Auxiliary focused on ers, Nick and Moses. helping these soldiers enter civil life again She gazes off through the wall of her and find the resources they would need. living room and back to that day in her Since being chartered by Congress in brother Nick Perez’s living room. She be- 1920, the American Legion Auxiliary has gins to describe the memory in a crisp voice grown to include veterans’ granddaughters that makes her age hard to believe, “They and great-granddaughters, becoming the decided to have an Auxiliary, so being that largest patriotic women’s service organiza- my brother was very active with the Post, he tion in the world with almost a million organized a meeting to get the girls started. members. The Auxiliary has gone on to And they had the meeting at his house. So implement hundreds of programs to assist there’s how I was involved. My husband veterans, their families, and the commu- wasn’t a veteran, but my brothers were.” nity itself. She explains, matter-of-factly, “so I was... Locally, the American Legion Tony F. like a charter member, and there’s very few Soza/Ray Martinez Post 41 and the Post 41 living now. There were about 12 of us.” Women’s Auxiliary have worked together Several women were present that eve- in an effort that goes beyond helping the ning; among them were Anita Lewis, Pina community. These members took on the Fuentes, Josephine Valenzuela, Rebecca struggle for civil liberties that Mexican Valenzuela, Dora Gomez, Ofelia Soza and Americans in Phoenix were not previously her sister Amelia. afforded. Since the start of that fight, the That’s as far as Vildosola goes in her Post has grown through the decades to gain description of the Women’s Auxiliary at political clout in Phoenix and become a the Tony F. Soza/Ray Martinez American trustworthy legend in the community. Legion Post 41 in Phoenix. Louise doesn’t Louise Vildosola hasn’t been to a meet- give any details, and apologizes humbly for ing in a while. She doesn’t drive and her sec- not having more stories to share about that ond husband has passed. She has to convince

5 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change Photo courtesy of American Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary Women’s 41 American Legion Post Photo courtesy of

Anita Lewis Chavez, seated at center, with other members of American Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary in 1948 her family to take her, “I know they would the numerous events and causes they are if I ask, but...” Louise doesn’t need to finish involved with at the moment. They fairly her sentence; she doesn’t want to impose glow in the telling of their various dances, on her family. Still she occasionally finds a shirt sales, holiday parties and menudo way to the Post for dinners honoring past breakfast events to raise money for scholar- commanders and Auxiliary presidents— ships and meals for homeless veterans. she being one of them. She even got down These efforts have long, deep roots in to the Post this year to celebrate an old their community—one that has sat south friend’s birthday; Adam Diaz had turned of the railroad tracks, on the dusty edges 100 on September 2, 2009. of downtown Phoenix, for decades. Tight- In numerous interviews, many knit barrios had to make their own way, members of the Post 41 Auxiliary will with little or no city resources. Everyone speak humbly of community events or the knew everyone; everyone had a nickname; excitement of going to a state or national everybody had to pitch in, if they could. convention. Don’t be fooled by this gentle, Life revolved around the churches, parks humble presentation in their voices. The and front porches where people would women of Post 41 have made their mark in gather and wash away the day’s trials with Phoenix history—and continue to do so. prayer, dancing and a drink. One trait of the currently active In the early 1900s, Mexican Ameri- members of Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary can women in Phoenix were frequently is that they are just that: active. They the primary breadwinners for many won’t talk much about the past, unless of these households, and often as pressed. It pleases them more to describe single mothers. With few glamorous

6 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change opportunities, many took jobs as The roots of activism laundry or domestic workers—such as young Minnie Rangel Martínez who, at h e n e v e r a n i s s u e a r o s e for the barrio, fourteen, was a maid for a beauty parlor Wsomeone was there to tackle the in the mornings; she then labored in a problem. Taking action was the only way hand-laundry all afternoon. Some women they could protect their community. This found jobs as stenographers, clerks or determination grew to be a strong trait in in retail sales. A few found success in the children that would eventually follow owning restaurants or managing hotels. their parents’ path on the frontline of civil These were treasured opportunities, as rights. Before young Minnie was work- most employment offered to the Mexican ing her two jobs at 14, she watched her American community was in hard, menial parents, Luis and Josefina Rangel, as they jobs. Every morning, it was common actively helped to improve life in the barrio. for the men to make their way to a large One example of the community’s willing- “marqueta” in downtown Phoenix, where ness to work together is the construction of they hoped to be picked for a farm crew. Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Those that were chosen, rode the trucks to A well-known former city council- muddy fields and harvested cotton, melons man, Adam Diaz, has shared in numerous and other crops as the desert sun wore them interviews his experience of worshiping in down. This was no reliable way to earn a the St. Mary’s Church basement. In the local paycheck. The women’s income made it Hispanic lore of Phoenix it is often men- possible for many families to survive.2 tioned how the priest at St. Mary’s Church, And though women in poor neigh- Reverend Novatus Benzing, made an unwel- borhoods were often primary providers, come announcement, as construction was they had to deal with the expectations of finishing on the church’s beautiful super- society at that time; that wives were to structure in 1915. He limited the Mexican stay home and watch the kids. Then, with worshipers to hold all their functions in the start of World War II, life was thrown the basement beneath white parishioners into an uncontrollable shift. It was a who could worship in the main church. It time full of contradictions for everyone. did not matter that the church had been Soldiers could become heroes yet return built by Mexican Americans, or that some home, perceived as nobodies. Men like of their more prominent citizens had even Ray Martínez, Adam Diaz and Father provided the land and some of the funds for Albert Braun would challenge the societal its construction. status quo and receive all the accolades. In October of 1925, the Spanish Father Meanwhile, the women of the barrios Ántimo G. Nebreda arrived from Los Ange- kept life moving forward and provided les to conduct mass in that basement, and to the support system that allowed these find a way to ease the growing tension in the changes, without recognition for their im- community. He found a Mexican American portant and perhaps subtler contributions. congregation that was disillusioned with its

7 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

city and in need of a welcoming church. He dedicated, and the community again had a had been called to Phoenix to quiet ten years church of their own. of growing anger and frustration. He gave Securing church bells was not the only them what they wanted by helping them effort for Minnie’s dad, though. Minnie build a church of their own.3 watched her father’s continued involve- Minnie Martínez remembers her parents ment in the community as a member of La helped raise funds to build this new church, Sociedad Alianza Hispano-Americana—an “My dad, he worked for the Donofrio fam- organization founded in Tucson in 1894. ily... and they had a building that had a He would go to meetings at the Alianza’s dance hall on the second floor. They used Alma Azteca Lodge #9 in Phoenix at 333 to tell him to go ahead and use it and give E. Washington Street. There, its members a dance to raise funds, and that’s how they worked to defend the civil rights of Mexican raised the funds. My mother and father were Americans, stop injustice and segregation, on the committee to raise funds for the bells and organize social events in hopes of coun- of the church... they had dances, and they’d tering the growing animosity they felt from sell food and cakes and all kinds of stuff.” 4 Anglos. The group promoted civic duty, In December of 1928, the Immaculate acculturation and provided sickness/death Heart of Mary Church was finished and benefits and burial insurance for its members.

First Holy communion in the basement of St. Mary’s Church, circa 1905 Photo courtesy of Frank Barrios

8 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

La Alianza also pitched in financially answering questions relating to civic mat- with the Phoenix Americanization Com- ters and U.S. law. mittee to establish Friendly House in 1920 Anita had already begun following in her as a way to provide education to immigrant parents’ footsteps as an active member of the communities. Their hope was to help community by her 14th birthday, when she Mexicans and Mexican Americans find suc- was named president of Las Mexicanitas Jr. cess and fit into American society as equals. Club, a social club for young women.6 Friendly House also helped Minnie Martinez Expanding on her father’s unofficial and innumerable youths find their first job legal career, Anita Lewis Chávez would opportunities. Friendly House’s second di- study law at the University of Arizona as the rector, Plácida García Smith, would go on to sole woman in her class. Later she would become one of the most respected women in realize she also had the honor of going to the Phoenix. This and other organizations of the University with Raul H. Castro, who would time would become the bedrock of social ac- eventually become Arizona’s first Mexican tivism in the Mexican American community American governor. Anita passed the State of Phoenix—and in some cases the direct Bar exam in January of 1947 and began progenitors of more modern institutions in practice as an attorney. Records show she the fight for equal rights.5 most likely was the second ever Hispanic fe- In the barrios, the groundwork of ethics male attorney in United States history, after and success through determination was Mary Estela Cota-Robles who had graduated often laid down by the parents, as in Minnie law school in 1939 and practiced in Tucson. Martinez’s case. The Post 41 Auxiliary’s first Chávez began practicing in Phoenix in president, Anita Lewis Chávez is another 1947, just months before being elected the example of a family’s influence. She was the first president of the newly-formed Ameri- daughter of John Lewis—an early Notary can Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary— public who had come to Phoenix and worked where she could tackle community causes as a realtor and paralegal for mostly Hispanic and follow her mother’s steps. clients. He would often give valued legal Chávez found no firms willing to hire advice, though he was no attorney. His a woman. She struck out on her own, only daughter Anita was bright and inter- running her practice largely out of her ested enough to help him with his work. own home, though she rented a downtown He decided to take her under his wing and office space for a short while. Her focus nurture her interest in law. was family law, but she handled cases of Anita’s mother, Enriqueta C. Lewis, all kinds. Often, she worked on barter— worked in the community with women representing people in exchange for a little like Plácida García Smith, at the Friendly yard work or housework. Sometimes she House. They and other Mexican Ameri- gave women a place to stay for the night can women in the community formed the as they dealt with a domestic abuse case Arizona Voter’s League in 1940 and held or other uncomfortable situations. Chávez meetings for Spanish-speaking residents, was often approached by Thunderbird

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Post 41, asking her advice, as they came know to hire out... She was sent to a law- headlong into difficult characters during yer and his wife. They were just moving the early days of their fight for civil rights. into an apartment. Well, they told her it’d Eventually she became a City of Phoenix be about a week’s work. And she’d be paid Judge Pro Tempore, where she was known 10 dollars.” to berate domestic abuse defendants in “Well, seven days she worked. And I both Spanish and English.7 mean 8–10 hours a day. And, then of course, Though Anita would suddenly pass on in those days too, they hired young His- in 1985, and her mother at 101 in 2001, panic girls... why? An effort was made, you the thread continues: Anita Lewis Chavez’s know—sexual harassment. And they had daughter, Harriet Chávez, would get the to suffer those indignities too, you know— law bug working in their home office and when the wife wasn’t home.” eventually took her first job as the city of The man had called to Minnie while Mesa’s first woman and Hispanic prosecu- she was cleaning one of the rooms. He was tor. In 2003 she was appointed a Maricopa in the bedroom. When she approached, Superior Court Judge. he opened the bedroom door to show Minnie Rangel Martinez and Anita himself... without clothes on. Minnie spun Lewis Chávez are only two women of about and left the house. many at Post 41. Numerous stories show She returned the next day to ask for the pride with which Mexican American her money. Ray continues, “...when she women in Phoenix carried on the work to was through, [Minnie] asked the lady, ‘I’m better their community. through. You don’t need me so...’ And the wife called out to the husband, said, ‘Honey, give me the ten dollars so I can pay.’” The changing times The husband replied, “I already paid her.”8 Minnie returned to the apartment with ife in p h o e n i x c o u l d be trying for her father, to no response. Friendly House’s LMexican Americans in the first half of Plácida García Smith even attempted speak- the 20th century. Being a woman only added ing to the couple; still no response. Plácida to the challenge. From an early age, Mexican finally had to tell Minnie that there was American women, like other minorities, nothing she could do. If they tried calling experienced the hardships of a society that the police, it was likely only the lawyer looked down on them, or took advantage of would be believed.9 them. Ray Martínez, a founder of Post 41, re- But that was in the early 1930s. Their members one story of his wife Minnie’s hard- world was changing. The long-standing ships while employed through the Friendly gender and racial boundaries were slowly House, where she faced sexual advances as a beginning to break apart. Even the cultural child, and was refused payment for her work: traditions within the Hispanic community “My wife—just out of grammar were being challenged. Mexican American school—went to the Friendly House, you women were finding a growing confidence

10 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change in asserting their rights as the years wore American community and her command of on, and new voices taught them what their both English and Spanish was opening up a parents may not have. door into radio broadcasting. One of these voices was Spanish-lan- In the early 1950s, as Women’s Program guage journalist María A. García. In 1940, Director at KIFN, Graciela would call at- she founded Phoenix’s first LULAC group, tention to the injustices her listeners were Council 110. Women of the barrios were facing, much as Spanish newspapers had mo- already inspired by her stories in the news- bilized the community to help in the World paper El Mensajero and were likely spurred War II efforts a decade earlier. It was still a into activism by the South Phoenix socio- changing time, with Graciela frustrating the economic and political injustices that García radio station’s owners constantly. They felt wrote about. LULAC Council 110’s first she should have limited her programming to meeting was held at the Friendly House, and culinary arts, jazz and ‘women’s interests.’ its first president would be the woman who But women’s interests were reach- had helped Minnie and others find work in ing broader than cooking shows and music. their youth; Plácida García Smith. They were achieving milestones in their Plácida was another woman in Phoenix charge toward full social equality beyond the that helped to elevate women’s belief that 1912 suffrage referendum that gave Arizona they could do more for themselves. As direc- women the right to vote. tor of Friendly House, she helped better the The shift toward a better social lives of numerous residents of South Phoenix, environment for Mexican Americans can and fought for improvements in the com- be seen in the juxtaposition of two stories. munity. She was a member of the Southside Whereas Minnie Martínez’s husband Improvement Organization, a group that Ray once shared the memory of Mexican was responsible for the construction of Grant Americans being beaten up on an elevator Park and Harmon Park; two focal points of by police simply because they could, Min- community life in the Mexican American nie Martínez has an elevator story of her barrios of South Phoenix. Even the young own from the days she returned to work attorney Anita Lewis looked on, inspired after her kids were grown. She chuckles as by her mother Enriqueta’s interaction with she recalls her job as an elevator operator these women. at Phoenix City Hall, “working on the Just as Mexican American women in elevator... This old man; one day, we were Phoenix had been reading María A. García’s alone... He pinched my butt. I opened the stories of the community’s struggle in El door, the next floor. I said ‘Get out!’ Mensajero, they also tuned their radios in to Laughing again, Minnie concludes, “And KIFN and listened to Phoenix’s first female when he got out, I hit him so hard, I knocked radio show host Graciela Gil Olivarez. his glasses off. And two policemen were She had started as a stenographer like so going by, and one says ‘What’s going on many other Mexican American women in here?’ And I told ‘em. And they got him to Phoenix. But her ease with the Mexican the police station.”10

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The world was not simply changing Less than five years into her marriage, young in public. Parents found it challenging as Minnie looked on as her husband enlisted in always to keep their children in check when the Navy and shipped off to serve aboard they began to mature. Now they sought a the U.S.S. Makassar Strait. The Japanese youthful independence from tradition. The had attacked U.S. soil. secret marriage of Minnie Rangel to Ray Martínez in 1938 is one example of how the women of the World War II generation, On the home front were changing: … “My sister, who was not quite two years f t e r t h e u.s.s. a r i z o n a and 17 other younger than I, she got married first and she Aships were sunk or beached in the at- was sixteen... so they got real possessive of tack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, me and they didn’t want me to go anywhere the United States mobilized its military or go out anywhere, just work and come almost overnight. World War II had begun home. I was going out with Ray—we were for America. In Phoenix as in other cities, dating—so naturally they took a dislike to families, organizations—entire barrios— him, because they didn’t want me to get joined in the war effort, urged on by local married, I guess. So we ended up eloping church leaders and Spanish news publica- because they wouldn’t even let him come tions. Men signed up to fight in droves, to visit... Of course I sneaked out of my such as the Abeytia family that saw four bedroom, and went over to his house. His brothers enlist; two in the Marines and two family was very nice to me... they approved in the Army. America’s male work force of me. I bought a suit, it was charcoal, and was all but vanishing and women were had a pink blouse and a little pillbox hat, and needed to take their place. During World I had my gloves... I snuck the gloves in my War II, the number of women in the work- purse, so my mother wouldn’t say, “where force increased by 50%. Mexican American are you going with those gloves?’ And then women were also finding unprecedented we had our witnesses—a girlfriend of mine job opportunities. When companies got and a very close friend of Ray’s ... after we military contracts, like the Goodyear Air- got married, a few days later I went to get craft Corporation west of Phoenix, women my clothes and I had bought a bedroom set were employed to build airplane parts. and several things. They wouldn’t give them Women were also seizing an opportunity to me. They said, ‘No, everything stays to take control of their lives and step out of here, just your clothes.’”11 the bindings of a patriarchal culture. Minnie, like many of her generation, In the early days of the war, Phoenix be- was striking out on her own. They would gan to feel its labor shortage, and cotton—as transform the United States into something one of its primary economies—was at risk. new. But first, there was a war to deal with; Local Mexican American organizations a war that would spark even more change pulled together and helped to organize a in the social structure of the United States. work force to pick the crops. La Sociedad

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Mutualista Porfirio Diaz, Los Leñadores del top of the other.” Mundo (Woodsmen of the World) and oth- “Sometimes they would stop… I would ers formed Victory Labor Volunteer groups see nurses. Probably that’s where I wanted to to harvest the cotton crop before it was lost. become a nurse. These nurses would get down Volunteers registered to pitch in, and soon and walk, and they had white uniforms on... Anglos and Mexican Americans worked side with this blue, beautiful cape and red lining.” by side in the fields to finish the job with Still, the faces kept rolling past for young patriotism flush in their faces.12 Lorraine to see, “Some patients would come Through these efforts, an estimated down, if they could. Most of them couldn’t. 35,000 pounds of long-staple cotton was ... and so they would give us letters to mail harvested by over 5,000 Mexican Ameri- for them. Then they would tip us; pennies, can workers; men, women and children all nickels, dimes...” pitched in.13 “Then also, we’d see these troop trains On other occasions, money-raising come by, these guys. They would also hand events were organized with mariachis, us mail. ... We’d go up with a little box and folklórico dancers, plenty of food and they’d put their mail in there and tips.” celebration. Bond drives raised as much as “We also had a time, one time, where $90,000 in a single night. Even children took it was prisoners. German prisoners we saw. to the streets, collecting rubber, cigarettes We weren’t allowed close there.” 15 and money for war bonds. In July of 1942, Throughout the war, young Lorraine Standard Oil was the sponsor of a local watched as its various cast-members passed contest to collect rubber for use in the war. through the train station. Meanwhile, stories Rogelio “Roy” Yañez led several children of the soldiers’ efforts came to them in from his Marcos de Niza community in their local newspapers. In 1943, El Sol displayed effort—collecting 2,200 pounds of old rub- a two-page advertisement to honor all local ber. They won the contest, and Yañez gave Mexican American servicemen, alongside a the children a party complete with music, list of their names.16 The local community’s cake, ice cream and sweets.14 participation was also trumpeted in the Meanwhile, the children also watched pages of El Mensajero and other media. World War II unfolding and forever chang- The community passed its time with ing the course of history—and their lives. radio, newspapers, and world maps, follow- Lorraine Vásquez, a member and former ing the path of loved ones across Europe and president of the Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary, the Pacific Ocean. Then in April of 1945, recalls living next to the railroad tracks, Germany finally came under Allied control, “My father worked for the railroad. And so and the U.S. Government was preparing we lived on the railroad quarters next to in secret to take the unprecedented step the railroad—across the street from the of breaking Japan into submission with an railroad tracks. We used to have these trains atomic bomb. The soldiers would be coming go by with the Red Cross. And you’d see home soon. Families rejoiced when they these patients. They were laying … one on heard the news.

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The returning troops the pecking order. Those downtrodden by the prevalent pre-war social structure were f t e r t h e w a r e n d e d , it was not uncom- coming home from war with a rejuvenated Amon for women in the Hispanic barrios spirit. But in returning to routine life in the of Phoenix to stop working as they married United States they found they had lost the returning G.I.s or as their husbands were equality they felt during the war—whether discharged from military service. Minnie they had fought in it or picked crops shoul- Rangel Martínez recalled in a 1998 inter- der to shoulder with Anglos in an effort to view how her husband, Ray, had returned keep the economy thriving. Organizations from World War II and began taking college were forming across the U.S. to fight for classes with money from the G.I. Bill. But it equality across all genders and racial lines. didn’t last. There was no way to squeeze col- In 1946, the American Legion Thunderbird lege in with raising a family and a low-paying Post 41 of Phoenix joined those ranks. job. He dropped out and found work as a As soldiers returned home to the bar- city bus driver—earning more than he had rios of Phoenix, they needed support just before the war. His family was a priority. as any other soldier. They approached the Their family was growing. Minnie was existing American Legion Post and found now pregnant with Gilbert. Ray asked her to they were not welcome. The answer to this quit her job and watch over the family. Min- problem was simple; they started their own nie explains her circumstances, “I didn’t want Post where Mexican American soldiers to quit. I liked my job and the friends I had would be welcome. there. Then one day my husband hid all my But they did not simply want camarade- shoes and I couldn’t go to work, so I quit.”17 rie. Their goal was to make a change. The But the attempt to return to a pre-war small group of 16 members began having in- idea of normalcy was like trying to repackage formal meetings every Tuesday at Frank Fu- an opened present. Many women did return entes’ family restaurant, “La Poblanita” on to the home and essentially gave men back Second Street and Jefferson. They discussed their jobs—but many others did not. In the poverty in their neighborhoods, and the her 1998 Masters’ thesis We Made our Life As discrimination their families were enduring. Best We Could With What We Had, historian Their ideas and concerns were jotted on a Jean Reynolds conducted an invaluable napkin. They were new to the idea of an survey of Phoenix area business directories. American Legion Post, but it was clear what She found that in 1949, Mexican American their agenda would be. “We talked about women seemed to maintain their jobs in how to organize because there was a lot of white-collar industries. In other industries, discrimination against Mexicans and we men reclaimed the job opportunities they’d thought it was time to start fighting back... left behind. Yet, even those women that had Discrimination, [was] the number one put down the rivet guns began to question issue. We wanted a piece of the pie, too,” the traditional order of their lives. explained founding member Ray Martínez. It seemed everyone was questioning They found early success by uniting

14 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change with the LULAC Council 110 that María A. me! Hah! And I didn’t volunteer. I was García had formed. They forced desegrega- assigned!!”18 tion of a Tempe swimming pool. Post 41 Certainly she couldn’t do all this work on then won a battle for Mexican American her own. More and more, the women began veterans’ housing. Two years after the Ameri- to help, seeing to things the men were just can Legion had granted a charter to Post 41, too distracted to handle. It was time to make their membership was growing alongside the women’s effort more official. their success. It was time for the Post to find a permanent home. They were now squeez- ing three hundred men into the restaurant’s Starting the Auxiliary small dining room for each meeting. In the search for a new home, the mem- n d e c . 19, 1947, the American Legion bers finally decided on a piece of city-owned OPost 41 held a meeting at Post mem- land at Second Avenue and Grant Street, ber Nick Perez’s house. Members were south of Van Buren. It was across from surrounded by their mothers, sisters, and Grant Park, originally built with the pre-war wives. Two guests of honor were present; community’s assistance and now a popular Laura Ortiz was there as Department Hispanic hangout. The men successfully Vice President, along with Anne Stedwell, lobbied for permission to put their building Department Secretary and Commander of there, working with the city to iron out a the Hazel Morton Post 43 of Phoenix. Post 50-year lease at one dollar per year, without Commander Ray Martínez and Chaplain property tax. Fellow veteran and future Frank Fuentes proposed the formation of Arizona senator, Barry Goldwater was on a Women’s Auxiliary to Post 41. The vote hand to help secure the deal and cut through was unanimous, and the Auxiliary applied the city’s red tape. for its charter on January 15, 1948. The ground broke July 26, 1947, and Their first true meeting would be held the building began to take shape. The Friday night, January 30, 1948. Applications volunteer workers were rewarded at the were handed out, officers elected, and an- end of a hot dusty day of construction nual dues collected at $3.00. That night, the with a beer keg, but otherwise were paid women began what is now over 60 years of nothing for their work. This was a labor of community involvement. love for their community. The Post hired As Ofelia R. Soza remembered in a 1992 professionals only when necessary if a task letter, “the women were a bit apprehensive, required skills or tools that the volunteers but at the same time excited about being didn’t possess or could not get. Steadily, included in this wonderful experience.” the new building rose up. The Auxiliary’s first meetings were held Minnie recalls providing meals for the under the stars at Post 41’s new building, still men building Post 41, at first by herself. “I being constructed. Ofelia continues in her was in charge of feeding all the men that letter to describe, “They planned the drapes worked. It was a hard job! Nobody helped for the windows and the decorating of the

15 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

‘Powder Room.’ All sewing was done by men were building their Post, but it was the the Auxiliary members. They would meet women who would make it feel like home. many evenings at the home of Josephine Tony Valenzuela, who would later Valenzuela...or other members would become a member of Post 41, remembers volunteer their homes. Well equipped with how Frank “Pipa” Fuentes and the Auxiliary sewing materials, and in some cases with members made construction of their build- portable sewing machines, they would sew ing so much more bearable. “We’d all work to their hearts content. One could feel the to maybe 2 o’clock, and then the Auxiliary excitement in the air, as they prepared for would feed us. They would do the cooking. this wonderful adventure!” And then Frank Fuentes would open up a The Auxiliary charter document was great big tub of cold beer and we’d have a presented to them on April 1, 1948 by Mrs. ball. You know, that was great! Especially on Fay Dorsett of Mesa, District Commander of weekends. The Auxiliary [has] always been the Arizona American Legion Auxiliary. The good and we never give them credit.”19 women began their work immediately, with By March of 1948, the building was Laura Ortiz and Anne Stedwell addressing done. Everyone was there. Minnie Martínez the women on Child Welfare month and recalls watching her husband, so happy he several other activities. couldn’t hold back tears. “Everybody was In an odd twist and proof of how so elated. My husband couldn’t even talk; fast times were changing, the women he cried.” She continues with a laugh, “you organized with help from members of the know, he worked so hard to get everything Auxiliary of “Luke-Greenway” Post 1. done. And when it was done! Ohh! He said it This was the same Post that two years was the most wonderful thing!” earlier had made Mexican American veter- ans feel unwelcome. It would not take long for the Post 41 A well-baby clinic Auxiliary became self-sufficient. The attorney Anita Lewis Chávez was n s o u t h p h o e n i x d u r i n g the 1940s, life just 23 years old when she was elected presi- Iwas still difficult. Many homes still had dent in that first meeting. Josephine “Pina” dirt floors. Returning veterans struggled Fuentes was named vice-president; Jose- to find housing and community health was phine Valenzuela became secretary; Rebecca faltering. To make matters worse, there was Valenzuela the treasurer; Mary Louise Rubio little worthwhile medical help for those who was sergeant-at-arms; Mary Perez the color lived south of the train tracks in Phoenix. bearer; and Commander Ray Martínez’s Father Emmett McLoughlin’s labor of love, wife, Minnie, served as chaplain. St. Monica hospital, was opened in 1944, Quickly, the legionnaires returned to but many people were poor and unable to construction of their Post. The women set use its services. In 1948, McLoughlin would about planning how it would be decorated resign from priesthood to focus on his job and providing food for the workers. The as hospital superintendent and improve its

16 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change services. But others still found they had to Greer also took ownership of a ranch in take up the slack for poorer communities. Benson, Arizona, where he befriended Post 41 hoped to do its part in easing the the nearby Yañez family. Through the problem. The Post set up a temporary bar- 1920s and 1930s he would raise two of racks building and began to plan out a new the Yañez girls as his foster children, well-baby clinic. It was the Women’s Auxil- Matilde and “Suse”. iary that would end up running the clinic. Matilde “Tillie” Yañez was enabled to But first, they needed money, doctors go to a Flagstaff teachers’ college where and medical supplies to get started. For- she became a nurse, and worked alongside tunately, raising funds and working with Dr. Greer for the rest of his career. She had good connections were something they had served in World War II as a captain in the mastered during the construction of their Army Nurse Corp. She was a chief nurse new Post building. The unspoken force in a combat zone hospital on the island of behind these fundraising efforts was the Luzon during the fight to free the Philip- women of Post 41; they planned the sales, pines from Japanese forces. The other the parties and the dances. On December girl, Suse, was trained as a secretary and 2nd, 1949, a benefit dance was held to managed Dr. Greer’s medical practice and raise the money needed.20 business affairs for more than 40 years. Members contributed what they Minutes from an early meeting of could, gathering donations from vari- the Women’s Auxiliary in 1948 ous institutions; gurneys, beds and basic medical equipment. Pharmacies would also donate what medicines they could. A well-known physician, Dr. Joseph Madison Greer (1887-1967) helped appropriate some of these supplies from Luke Field (the future Luke Air Force Base). Dr. Greer had served as an army doctor in World War I and would go on to become an interim mayor of Phoenix. After the War, he specialized in handicapped children, be- coming known as “the flying doctor” for his many flights to the Navajo reservation and other remote regions of Arizona to see patients.

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Women’s Auxiliary member Matilde start it... for supplies.” and her sister Suse were on hand to help Post member Florencio “Lencho” Othon start the Post’s well-baby clinic, and to recalls that the well-baby clinic was “right recruit other nurses to the task. But Dr. next to the building there. It was an old Greer was also joined by Dr. Lowell C. barracks building. From there, we had a Wormley, an African American member of little walkway—about four feet... And then Thunderbird Post 41. if I remember right, we had one girl that Wormley had come to Arizona in would be here most of the week, for working 1942 from Washington D.C. as a captain mothers that would come over ... with their in the Medical Corps at the Fort Huachuca younger kids. That was quite a deal.” Hospital, then as chief of surgery at Poston Together Dr. Wormley and Dr. Greer Hospital, near Parker where he tended to a helped by administering shots or prescribing Japanese internment camp. Liking Arizona, medicine for babies and toddlers. Services he set up practice in the Salt River Valley. were free, and the doctors often set up When Wormley arrived, there were only parenting classes. two other black doctors in town: Dr. Dave The Yañez’s sister-in-law, Clara—wife Solomon and Dr. Winston.21 of Marcos de Niza Public Housing Project With supplies, doctors and nurses at director, Roy Yañez—also donated her time the ready, Post 41 opened its clinic in to the clinic. Many of the Auxiliary members December of 1949. were trained nurses, taking turns volunteer- In a 1998 interview with historian Jean ing to see to families’ medical needs. Reynolds, Ray Martínez recalled the day the Minnie Martínez recalls that she and clinic first opened, “It was unbelievable… other Auxiliary women gave, “whatever The legion was full; Grant Park in front was help we could give to the doctors or the full; in front of the Post was full. I think we nurses, like handing them things, towels, had 122 babies. The Women’s Auxiliary... or cleaning up messes, or disposing when ran the whole thing. Matilda was the nurse they gave the shots... [we] set it up for them and Sue [sic], who was already experienced before they came and then cleaned up after as a clerk, set up the whole system. Sue took them. There were a lot of ladies that went care of all the clerical and follow-up... Dr. in to volunteer.” 22 Joseph and Sue Greer gave us $400.00 to Though there had been other well-baby clinics, such as one run by the Friendly House in the early 1940s and sponsored by the Harmony Club of Phoenix, this was the first such clinic run by the Mexican American community in Phoenix, and was mainly frequented by poor Mexican American mothers who had no other health services available to them.

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The clinic operated until the early 1950s, when newer clinics opened and St. Monica Hospital had become more established.23

Dancing through the 1950s

c r o w d g a t h e r e d a t t h e platform of the Atrain station in Phoenix. Soldiers and their families milled about saying their goodbyes. It was 1951. Less than five years after World War II ended, the con- flict in Korea was America’s newest war. Many soldiers found themselves staying longer in the service or being called back to active duty. Post 41 Auxiliary member Rita Brock-Perini remembers the scene well. Her father, Pedro Abeytia, was returning to service, after already having served in Auxiliary Women’s 41 American Legion Post Photo courtesy of World War II. She was there as a young girl A night of entertainment at Post 41 at her mother’s side, and younger children in tow, “My father had joined the National only group that was leaving. But to me, as Guard, because most of the men at Post 41 a child, it seemed like there were soldiers were in the Guard at that time. Lo and be- everywhere. I was just stunned at how many hold, they were asked to go to Korea. And, people were there. We knew that dad was so...we went down to the railroad station, leaving, and that some of his friends were and that’s where they shipped out.” going with him. But I don’t think we were Jack Williams was there interview- prepared to see him leave.” ing families for KOY radio, where he was Together, the Abeytia family stood in program director four years before going the waving crowd as the train came to life on to become mayor of Phoenix and later, and pulled away. Everyone started calling governor of Arizona. Press photographers out and yelling their goodbyes as the soldiers snapped shots as the crowd milled about. rolled down the track. The train faded into The Abeytia family was interviewed. the distance. Rita continues, “And Mr. Williams “Then all of a sudden there was no worked with KOY at the time, and he did crowd at all. It was just this dead silence, and the interview. He interviewed mom and I remember standing there and just clinging dad, talked to me, and one of my other to my mother, wondering what was gonna sisters. ... I don’t know if theirs was the happen next. ... There was this silence for

19 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change the longest time, and then everybody began held dances on the weekends. to cry. And for me, I sort of understood that The 1950s found the Women’s Auxiliary my father was going to be going away for a busy organizing holiday celebrations, cook- long time, but the four littlest didn’t. They ing meals for meetings, arranging events in kept looking at me and mom.” Grant Park, across the street from the new Families wandered back to their houses, Post. One Auxiliary member volunteered to and life in the barrios continued. The River- chaperone the Grant Park Campfire Girls. side Ballroom and Calderón Ballroom were Others provided transportation for the girls’ dance halls where the community could blow softball teams at Grant and Harmon Park.24 off steam and wait for this new generation Grant Park was an important part of of soldiers to come home safe. It wasn’t Post 41’s community involvement. The Post uncommon to see friends from across the 41 Women’s Auxiliary had shown its appre- Valley wander in to dance and flirt. Box- ciation of the park’s importance by honoring ing lessons were given in a nearby church. the senior park director, Laura A. Clelland, Folklórico dancing was taught to the girls in as “Lady of the Year” for her guidance and Grant Park. Movies were shown on the sides dedication to the community two years of buildings for those who couldn’t afford a before, in 1948. With her efforts, the world night at the movie theatre. They entertained around Grant Park had become a hub of themselves as best they could, and continued community life, with the American Legion to fight for a better community. Post 41 now standing sentry. American Legion Thunderbird Post 41, Clelland started at the park in 1935, in uniting the community, was fast becom- quickly implementing several programs, ing another destination as well. They had an from a boys and girls club to sports teams event for every holiday that came along and and helping the children produce their own

Auxiliary members dishing food at a Post 41 event. At plays. She also began the community’s first center is Duvy Jacques. On the right is Martha Murillo. weekly night programs of music, dancing, chorus groups, orchestras, community singing, amateur contests, aquatic pageants and dances. In the late 1930s, Clelland had lobbied for improvements to the park, such as new lighting, planting grass, and construction of a fence around the pool. By the 1950s, Grant Park was sponsoring an arts and crafts program where children were shown plaster-casting techniques, and adults learned leather tooling, metal work, and costume making. The series of classes in Folklórico dance

Photo courtesy of American Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary Women’s 41 American Legion Post Photo courtesy of that Clelland organized are still remembered

20 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change fondly to this day. She had pulled together a Park, where Thunderbird Post 41 held events dance troupe, complete with authentic styled before Espiridion “Piro” Murillo convinced costumes and the girls performed at military them to expand their building, and helped camps and various community gatherings. fund the construction of its Thunderbird Several current Post 41 Auxiliary mem- Hall in the 1950s. “Before they built the bers, such as Josie Herrera and Mary Cór- big hall where they now have their indoor dova, remember the folklórico lessons quite stages, you know. At Grant Park at that time, well. Mary Córdova recalls, “growing they had like a stage, so to speak—think up... across the park, we were involved in back to the ’50s—so some of their events these folklóricos where we learned how to were held across the street, ’cause of the dance and stuff. I remember also, going to convenience of having the stage.” the American Legion as a young, young, “And then I remember at that time, young girl and performing our Mexican there were so many people that used dances right there when they had their to attend these, you know? I think it fiestas, so that’s how far back I go.”25 was because during that era, life was Mary Córdova describes the scene of slower and there was perhaps maybe Grant Park as a focal point for much of her not as much.” childhood. “I grew up right... across the Córdova recalls her childhood street from the Legion on Third Avenue and fascination with the odd hats that Grant—across the street from Grant Park. Legionnaires wore as they swung So, as an infant, as a toddler, our lives have rifles around in the park, “and evolved around the Grant Park area. Before also their drill team used to that building was built, where our house practice across the street at was, we had access to seeing the American Grant Park. Alex Pacheco Legion as it stood in the beginning, before was one of them, and ... I they added the big hall. And so I had the can’t remember his name opportunity of just... being able to capture right now. Cisco Saenz. everything that was happening on the So they used to go out outside and we grew up just being part of the and practice their drill. American Legion family right there.” So we used to sit there Mary continues, describing one of the like little children, many events that the Legionnaires would not understanding put on for the community, “They used to the full impor- call them the jamaicas. It’s like a festival tance of, you they’d have every year. At that time, they’d know... they block off 2nd Avenue... They would block used to have off the street. And I remember going to their guns... those, and they had booths and they had it was kind games and entertainment.”26 of ... not Córdova also remembers a stage at Grant funny, but

21 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change we just couldn’t understand the meaning A smile plays across her face as she enjoys an of it at that age. Now, this is going back to old compliment from years gone by.28 how young I was, you know? I got to see the Auxiliary member and former president drill team in action, practicing, at a very Frances Tovar, recalls how Post 41 had be- young age. And little did I know that, from come so integral to the community. A night there to now, all the importance all these of dancing was something to look forward great things that were happening was such to. She had married quite young, and with an impact. They stayed instilled in me, the a child, her free time was rare. The goals images I had.”27 and mission of the American Legion were Another lasting memory for many resi- not understood by Tovar at the time, dents was dancing. On Friday and Saturday “We could go into the Legion. And this is nights, the barrios really came to life as cou- where you would go for weddings and par- ples dressed up and went to the local dance ties and dances and stuff. We always thought halls. It had become a tradition of sorts to the Legion was nothing but to go dancing meet in the area. As early as the 1930s, when and to drink. For years that’s what I thought Ray Martínez was recreation director at the until my brothers went to the service and East Madison Street Settlement on Ninth came back. Then as I grew older I started Street and Madison, dances were often held learning more.” to unite the community. It served as a literal One thing Auxiliary members like Fran- common ground for the Mexican American ces Tovar don’t remember about the dances is communities to the east and west, unless standing still, “I don’t remember ever sitting somebody started flirting with someone’s down... just standing, dancing all night!” girlfriend and punches were thrown. Just like their dances, when it came to Not only did Post 41’s bring the commu- projects for the community, the Post 41 nity together like clockwork every weekend Auxiliary members never stood still. for dances; these nights also gave an excuse to interact more casually with politicians, activists and the like. Minnie Martínez Taking up causes fondly recalls dancing with local icons of the community, “Lincoln Ragsdale—he often h e a u x i l i a r y ’s contributions w o u l d attended meetings. He loved to dance with Teventually grow to include more than me. He was a good dancer, I didn’t mind it!” day-to-day activities at the Post. Barry Goldwater was a good friend of In 1948, Post 41 was hoping to convince the Martínez family and also could be seen the Phoenix City Council to allocate local on the dance floor at Post 41. When asked tax funds for the improvement of elementary who was the better dancer, Lincoln or Gold- schools in the Mexican American communi- water, Minnie replies instantly, “Barry Gold- ties south of downtown. The Post members water, oh!” Then she continues, “He was one were told a bond issue vote was the only way of our best friends. Oh! He loved my tortillas to authorize what they wanted. and hot sauce,” she states as a matter-of-fact. So the Post members took to the streets,

22 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change registering voters and raising awareness of canvassed Mexican American communities the bond issue to be voted on. in Los Angeles to elect the first Hispanic Thunderbird Post 41 assembled a group City Council member in 75 years, Edward to canvass the neighborhoods and convince Roybal. Homegrown efforts were producing residents to vote for this bond issue. Ray results across the United States. At a local Martínez joined Auxiliary members such as level, the Thunderbird Post 41 was em- Carmen Vildosola, and the Auxiliary past powered by the middle ground on which its president’s mother Enriqueta Lewis, Adam members often stood, and by political con- Diaz, Henry Montiel, Ernest Carrillo, Rita nections through men like Barry Goldwater. Castillo, Anita Ferrá, Adelina Robledo and These were people of the barrio, who others in this effort.29 had begun to create their own middle class And so, with a bond election at hand, and carve out inroads to political and finan- they mobilized. For a month and a half, cial success. But surrounding them was an the women knocked on doors during the impoverished neighborhood that still strug- day while their husbands worked. In the gled to provide food and homes to their fami- evenings, the men would join in the effort. lies. Post 41 was in a unique position to help After one failed attempt, they saw their bond the community from which it had grown, issue finally pass the same year. The schools and to mobilize the barrios into taking an would receive their facility upgrades. In 2009, Eleanor Abeytia looks back This wasn’t the last time the men and through memories in a photo album. women of Post 41 knocked on community doors to push through elections. Another bond issue during the late 1940s involving money to improve the Grant, Central and Harmon Parks in the barrio brought the women out again to canvass. Again, they were successful in mobilizing the residents to vote, and $365,000 was appropriated for the parks. Ray Martínez explained, later, that even though gaining the funding for park improvements was a victory, “the real value was to show people that these things could be done, if you were unified and had a good purpose and mind to help people, help the community...” Such was the time they were living in. The Post’s first canvassing effort came in 1948—a full year before the well-known

Community Service Organization (CSO) Magazine Photo: Latino Perspectives

23 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change active role in changing their circumstances. letters for their families—the ones who They often made their presence known in couldn’t do it.” literal terms, by fitting every person they The children were no problem, they could into the Phoenix City Hall, when they simply took them along and put them to wanted the city’s power-brokers and politi- work cleaning up the Thunderbird room for cians to acknowledge their needs. any events they had. A new generation was being introduced to Post 41. When asked what she treasures most Friendships born about her time with the Auxiliary, she’s humble, quiet. She mentions several of the o r k i n g s o c l o s e l y t o g e t h e r can activities. But soon, it becomes apparent that Wbuild lifelong bonds. This is seen the Auxiliary gave her something invalu- in the interconnected Mexican American able—her best friend, Nadine. communities of Phoenix. But it can be Some women who lived in the com- even stronger between two individuals. munity were isolated, not just by the task of The Women’s Auxiliary often created raising a family but by unfamiliarity. They close friendships between the women who did not have the community ties that come worked together. These were often women with growing up in the close-knit bar- who stayed home to tackle the even more rio. While active in the Post, Eleanor may demanding task of raising their children have found it somewhat difficult to form and tending to their families’ needs. Often, bonds with everyone. She wasn’t from the they began to help with the Auxiliary’s ef- neighborhood. She had grown up as Eleanor forts only when their children were grown Reyes in Aguilar, Colorado—not the barrios enough to help or move out. of Phoenix. She had come to Phoenix and Eleanor Abeytia remembers when her married her husband Pedro Abeytia in 1937. husband prompted her to join the Auxiliary, Before long, she had children to care for. “He kept telling me to join the Auxiliary— Then, after her husband’s persistent that they do a lot of things. I told him my prodding, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary. kids were little and I had too many of them. I There, she met Nadine Allen. Because Elea- can’t do that and work. I won’t be able to go nor did not drive, it was often Nadine who to meetings and anything like that.” would pick her up and take her to the Thurs- It was a valid argument. They had ten day meetings. This custom became more children. Abeytia continues, “Finally after common in 1961, after Eleanor was elected he kept on...wanting me to join, I finally did. president of the Auxiliary and she needed to And I liked it. I got so involved... and I did a find her way to numerous functions. lot of the programs that they carry. Like the To everyone else, Nadine was simply hospitals... I was hospital chairman one year. the cheerful character who could always And we’d go to the hospital and give bagels be counted on. But on those drives to the and coffee for their meetings or we’d go meeting, Nadine and Eleanor talked—and a and read stories to the veterans and... write friendship grew beyond the cheerful exterior.

24 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change Photo courtesy of American Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary Women’s 41 American Legion Post Photo courtesy of In the Auxiliary room at Post 41 circa 2004, Left to right, standing: Linda Ortega, Gloria Ramirez,Martha Murillo, Eleanor Abeytia, Bertha Medina, Ofelia Soza. Left to right, sitting: Vivian Padilla, unknown, Juanita “Jenny” Lechuga

Eleanor took to chastising Nadine for her high heels she so loved. high heels; she loved heels and the higher the Rita spent time at Nadine’s bedside in better. It was common for Nadine’s feet to the final days, feeding her when she could trip up in those shoes and send her stumbling not do it herself. Within two weeks, she suc- forward or setting Eleanor off to scolding cumbed, and Eleanor had lost a friend. again, “Don’t wear those shoes!” “Interestingly enough,” says Rita, “when When Eleanor became regional vice she died, Lincoln Ragsdale used to be president over all the Arizona Women’s involved with the Post also. And she always Auxiliary Posts, it was Nadine who drove used to jokingly say to him, ‘...when I die, her across the state, from city to city to meet I want my ashes to be sprinkled all over with the different Posts. Phoenix.’ And everybody used to just kind of Through the years, they pushed on, the chuckle at it, because they thought it was just closest of friends. It was with great sadness something she was saying to be funny. But that Eleanor received the phone call that when she died, he did do that for her.” her best friend had entered the hospital “He took her [ashes] up in his airplane with a brain tumor. Eleanor’s daughter, and sprinkled her ashes all over the city. It’s Rita Brock-Perini, wondered aloud, “as a illegal to do that. But he did it anyway.” 30 nurse, now, my feeling is that she probably Numerous other friendships have also had a difficulty with her equilibrium as thrived, such as Frances Tovar and Rosie a result of that tumor that was probably Lechuga, who became friends when Frances growing, and nobody ever knew it.” A helped then-Auxiliary president Lechuga reason why she couldn’t stand steady in the with her paperwork. Frances rolls her eyes

25 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change at the thought of paperwork, but when she Goldwater was a member of the Women’s was elected president after Lechuga, it was Auxiliary, though she contributed more a godsend to have Lechuga returning the monetarily than by involvement in their favor. Twenty years on, and they never go activities. She did go to some of the larger anywhere without each other. functions, and Minnie Martínez recalls riding with her to numerous out-of-town conventions, even flying to the American Engaging leaders Legion’s 1973 national convention in Hawaii. and fostering change Longtime Post 41 member Florencio “Lencho” Othon tells the story of how the h e a m e r i c a n l e g i o n p o s t 41 has had Goldwaters became lifetime members, “He Tstrong political connections throughout used to come down and work around, look the years, beginning with Post member around and do things for the Post. As a mat- Barry Goldwater. Perhaps on this premise, ter of fact, when we were building a second the Auxiliary’s first president Anita Lewis addition to the Post, Barry loaned us...he Chávez made an attempt at becoming the gave us, I think it was about $3,500, which first Hispanic on the state Legislature. was a heck of a lot of money at that time Instead, Chávez watched her neighbor Adam for the refrigeration unit we wanted to put Diaz, and family friend, Valdemar Córdova in there. We didn’t have the money. So he reach political office on the Phoenix City gave us a check for $3,500 so that we would Council. A fellow law student at the U of continue with the project. Later on I started A, Raul H. Castro would go on to become a bingo program with the intent of making governor of Arizona. It would not be until enough money to pay back Barry Goldwa- Mary Rose Wilcox’s election to Phoenix ter—which we did, after a year or two...” City Council in 1983, that Hispanic women “...we presented a check to him, and began to find success in seeking public office. ... he said ‘we didn’t give you a loan’...‘that Having dignitaries as members of the was our contribution to the Post.’ So he Post only helped their clout. One of the most wouldn’t accept the check. So I told his wife respected, loved members is Senator Barry that it will make the boys feel better if he Goldwater. Goldwater was there from the would accept it.” very beginning, not just as a dignitary, The Post decided to make Goldwater not just to dance at events. He listened in at a lifetime member at that point. He had the first meetings, helped obtain the lease already done enough for them to earn that for their property, and argued politics over appreciation. beer in the Post’s Ronda Room with fellow “But,” Lencho continues, “about a couple legionnaires. He even groomed members for of weeks later, we got a check in the mail for, leadership and helped Adam Diaz become I think it was close to $3,500 or something the first Mexican American on the Phoenix like that as a donation. So what are you City Council. going to do?” In a subsequent interview, Goldwater’s wife, Margaret “Peggy” Lencho admitted finding out it was Auxiliary

26 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change member Peggy Goldwater that had anony- never questioned, thanks to real estate mously donated the money. agents’ rigid view of race and color. In this Though national politics would manner, the Ragsdales picked out their own begin to pull the Goldwaters away from home in the Encanto District—a restricted Phoenix’s social life and Post 41, there Anglo community. were other dignitaries that frequented When they were refused the home, the Post’s events or were members of the the Ragsdales simply stepped around the Legion and the Auxiliary. community’s restrictions, by having a A longtime Phoenix civil rights activist white friend buy the home. Then, while in the black community, Eleanor Dickey the contract was still in escrow, its title Ragsdale, was also a member of Thunderbird was transferred to the Ragsdales. Though Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary. She came to the an achievement in itself, their struggle dances and often invited Post members to was not over. The Ragsdales would face gatherings at her home. But she, like Peggy immediate harassment, and several years Goldwater, contributed to the Auxiliary’s of harsh community reaction. projects with money, rather than direct During the 17 years the Ragsdales lived involvement. Eleanor was certainly not idle in their Encanto District home, they tack- with her time in the community, though. led race issues on numerous fronts, working Eleanor and her husband, Lincoln, had together with several leaders in Phoenix, moved to Phoenix where she began her including members of Post 41 such as career as a kindergarten teacher at Dunbar “Lito” Peña who joined Lincoln Ragsdale Elementary School. Soon, they opened up a in an effort to unite the black and Mexican profitable mortuary business. As life became American communities. “Very cordial, financially easier for them they decided to very elegant people,” were the words that buy a nicer house. Quickly, the Ragsdales be- Auxiliary member Eleanor Abeytia used to came involved in the struggle for civil rights, describe the Ragsdales. after they purchased their new home in a To this day, Post 41 continues the tradi- traditionally white community. As a teacher, tion of recruiting politicians and influential Eleanor had become frustrated watching leaders as members. 2009-10 Auxiliary fellow African American teachers struggle president Josie Herrera admits, “We have a to find good quality housing. She decided to lot of dignitaries as members. They come to become a real estate agent. visit, and we grab them as members... [Rep- With considerable knowledge of the real resentative Ben] Miranda, he’s also a member estate industry and a fair amount of cunning, ...Actual members, their dues are paid. I Eleanor broke one of Phoenix’s color barri- remember Anna María [Chávez] came—I ers. Since she was quite light-skinned, Elea- met her at Girls State. Anna María is a ‘Girls nor was allowed to view homes for sale that Stater’. So that year I went to Girls State—it other blacks would not have been permitted was last year—she was the principal speaker into. With precise English and an educated at the big event we have. Afterwards, I ran up air, she never mentioned her race and was to her, ‘Anna María! Anna María, I want you

27 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

numerous other ways. What she contrib- utes to—is one of the Legion’s oldest traditions. Back in 1935, Hayes Kennedy, a law teacher at Loyola University in Chicago, overheard some of his students’ conver- sations and political beliefs, he caught wind of a program called Young Pioneer Camps. It was a summer camp program promoted by members of the Communist Party to teach high school students the values of their political system over De- mocracy. As the Americanism Chairman in the Illinois Department of the Ameri- can Legion, he was incensed. Kennedy contacted Harold L. Card, a high school teacher who also served as the Legion’s lo- cal Boy Scout Chairman. Together they put

Photo: Latino Perspectives Magazine Photo: Latino Perspectives together a program to counter the Young Lorraine Vásquez in 2009. She served as Post 41 Auxiliary President in 1972. Pioneer Camps and teach the values and importance of a Democratic government. to come and speak! You have to come speak The National American Legion approved to our ladies!’ And she did. Well, when she the idea, and by June of 1935, newspapers was here, she couldn’t leave without joining.” announced the Legion was to hold a boys’ Because Anna María Chavez served at civic camp for 1,500 boys from across Il- the time as then-Governor Janet Napoli- linois. This first Boys State event would be tano’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Urban Rela- held at the Illinois State Fair. In 1937, Girls tions and Community Development, there State was founded to do the same for young was hope her membership might help Post women, and Girls Nation was formed the 41 in its community interests. following year. But these ‘feather in the cap’ Since their inception, Boys State/Girls members of the Post are not their only State, and Boys Nation/Girls Nation have political efforts. The American Legion become one of the most respected leader- also hopes it can inspire new politicians. ship training opportunities for high school Mention the Boys State/Girls State students in the United States. In this role- program to anyone today at Post 41’s playing exercise in government training, Women’s Auxiliary and they all bring up high school students recreate a political state. Lorraine Vásquez, one of their former The National Girls State organiza- presidents who put in several years as tion explains that participants learn how a volunteer nurse as well as helping in to participate in the functioning of their

28 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change state’s government in preparation for their on the county level, they have a law school. future roles as responsible adult citizens. They have to pass their boards, they have Two girls are selected from each Girls patrol there, a patrol school. And they write State program to attend Girls Nation, a tickets for the court.” national government training program. “Then the boys... two boys from the Girls Nation “senators” meet for a week state, and two alternates, go to Washington in Washington, D.C., where they run for D.C. for the National, and it’s called Boys’ political office, campaign for the passage Nation. Then they meet their congressman, of legislation and possibly meet with state they get bills and they’re called senators. representatives and senators. Capping off Many times, these congressmen over there the week of Girls Nation is oftentimes a use these bills...and with Girl’s State too.” meeting with the President of the United “It’s intense, real intense program, and States at the White House. they really get into it,” she concludes with U.S. President William Jefferson enthusiasm and pride in her eyes. Clinton was selected for Boys Nation and Through the years, Boys State and shook President Kennedy’s hand in the Girls State are a continuation of the tradi- White House’s Rose Garden—as shown tion of civic involvement in Arizona and in a famous 1963 photograph. A young across the nation. At Post 41, Lorraine Janet Napolitano was selected as a junior Vásquez represents this commitment to the at Sandia High school in the early 1970s community and its future leaders. Such is to participate in the Girls state. She won the spirit of the Auxiliary. election to the post of lieutenant governor; a presage to her eventual election as gover- nor of Arizona in 2002. Shifting focus At Phoenix’s American Legion Post 41, two-time Women’s Auxiliary presi- n 1960, t h e p o l i t i c a l scene was changing. dent Lorraine Vásquez has made these INationally, John Kennedy was in the programs her passion over the years, middle of an historic battle for the U.S. “Boys State. I volunteered for that for 20 presidency. Hispanics had already found years... The boys that are going to be se- some affinity for Kennedy as a Catho- niors—they are hand picked. They don’t lic, but a stronger effort was needed to have to be academically in the highs... truly get their attention. The Kennedy for potential leadership they’re picked. campaign decided to reach out to the ... The boys go to Flagstaff, NAU, for a Hispanic population after some prodding week. The girls go to U of A, in Tucson.” by regionally known Hispanic politicians “And the program... is a mock program. Edward Roybal of California, Senator They have the National and the Federal Dennis Chávez of New Mexico and Henry parties. And then they’re assigned to cities. Gonzalez of Texas. Campaign staff-mem- They pick their own mayors. They have ber Carlos McCormick, of Tucson, was their charter. Then if you go up to county, chosen to organize this outreach program.

29 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

Local organizations across the U.S. like was named to the National Council of La the GI Forum and the Alianza Hispano Raza’s Upward Bound Program in the Americana in Phoenix stepped up to Department of Education. In Arizona, the challenge and formed Viva Kennedy María Luisa Legarro Urquides of Tucson, clubs, in hopes of delivering the Mexican was named to the Arizona State Advisory American vote for Kennedy. Committee to the Civil Rights Commis- Again, one of the root contact points sion. She also served on the National “Viva could be found in the same tight-knit Kennedy Clubs” board.31 Hispanic communities of Phoenix. Former In November 1963, the civil rights Phoenix city councilman and Post 41 movement was galvanized by tragedy member, Adam Diaz was named chair- when President Kennedy was assassi- man of the Viva Kennedy statewide effort nated. Though he had not made wholesale in Arizona. And though the state would improvements to race relations in the not successfully give Kennedy its electoral U.S., he gave unexpected acknowledg- nod, the Viva Kennedy efforts seemed to ment of the problem. jumpstart a new generation of Hispanic Meanwhile, Phoenix’s Post 41 and the participation in local politics. The 1960 Women’s Auxiliary would continue their election would herald a changing of the efforts to improve the quality of life for its guard as new institutions formed to take members and the community around them. over the fight for equality, just as Post 41 Two years later, in 1965, a news article had stood on the shoulders of organizations showed Post 41 still hard at work in the that had come before it. community. Legionnaires and the Auxiliary The outreach of the Kennedy campaign had donated more than $50,000 to help could not have been better timed, either. nearly 3,000 children in need. During that Mexican Americans like Adam Diaz were summer, the Post covered fees for more finding success in local politics. Many than 500 children who couldn’t afford to Hispanics had begun to look even higher, swim at Grant Park—repaid by picking up lining up to take the national arena by trash around the park to show civic pride. force. Communities had been mobilized When a report showed less than eight per- and the Chicano Movement was just cent of kids in the barrios could afford to around the corner. see a movie, the Post spent money to show In November of 1960, Kennedy was films at various parks in the community. elected. Soon, more than 40 Hispanics were Sponsoring one Little League team appointed to his administration. The door wasn’t enough for Post 41, that year. They to national politics had opened a little for sponsored the entire league and bought Hispanics nationwide. the trophies. And at the end of the year, Mexican American women also enjoyed the legionnaires and the Auxiliary went all the fruits of the Kennedy campaign. One out. Christmas had become an especially of New Mexico’s most prominent female lively time for the children. More than 500 politicians, Concha Ortiz y Pina de Kleven kids attended the Post’s Christmas party

30 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change in 1965, and more than 200 Christmas back and forth taking marines to Vietnam baskets were given to families in need. and it was hush-hush because the war was It would also be the year that Post just starting.” member Tony F. Soza made an attempt As events in Vietnam were evolv- at becoming commander of the Arizona ing into a full-scale war, a growing civil department of the American Legion, losing rights battle was also brewing in the U.S. to Ed Sawyer of Bisbee. But the peaceful The Black Panther Party and the National times were not to last. Organization for Women (NOW) both March of 1965 would see a war in formed the in 1966 and numerous Chicano Vietnam escalate. Months earlier, the USS student activists groups were appearing Maddox and the USS Turner Joy were across the nation. Just as World War II reported as being under attack in the Gulf had sparked change twenty years before, of Tonkin. Days after, the Gulf of Tonkin another generation was making itself heard Resolution gave President Lyndon Johnson and stepping out of the barrios, into an unprecedented authority to deal with the entire metropolis that was stretching its Vietnam situation. legs, from Glendale and Phoenix to Mesa Incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson and Tempe. defeated Post 41’s own Barry Goldwater Louise Vildosola in 2009. Though a founding member of in a presidential election, and began his Post 41, she would not become active until the 1960s. In new term on January 20th, 1965. Less 1971, she served as Auxiliary President than two months later, bombing of North Vietnam started and U.S. Marines were landed in the south. Current Post 41 Auxiliary president Josie Herrera recalls the pain of wonder- ing where her husband was in these early days of the war, “I suffered that when my husband was in the service. We finished high school, and he went right in to the ser- vice. And I married him 2 years later. My daughter was 5 months old when she met him the first time, because it was starting of the Vietnam War and they were gone all the time. And I remember ... he was in the Navy. But I was not aware of what was happening. We got married, then... he was gone. Two weeks later his aunt tells me “well maybe he didn’t realize what he did and he’s not coming back.’ And I said ‘he can’t be’ but it was that the ship was going Magazine Photo: Latino Perspectives

31 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

A night of dancing and music was no was going on over there, kept extending longer limited to Post 41 or the nearby his tour, hoping that they wouldn’t take my dance halls that had stood for decades as brother. After a while he couldn’t extend gathering places. New clubs were popping it anymore. As soon as he hit the States, up across the Valley. Mexican American sure enough, two weeks later they took student organizations were forming at Ari- my brother Ralph to Vietnam. ...He left, I zona State University to fight for fair wages think in August, and by October we started at local laundries. By the end of 1965, news getting telegrams where he was real sick. He came of race riots in Watts, California. ended up with malaria. ... He was real sick... Concerns grew fervent over the war in Viet- his temperature level was so high his head nam, and the external world’s turmoil was extend to his shoulder. ...So it was scary. creeping in to shake things up for Phoenix. Especially since watching my brother who had just come [home], feeling so bad ... he kept saying ‘I didn’t want him to go.’”32 Vietnam years But there were also women serving in the Vietnam War, usually as nurses. How h e frustration o f w a i t i n g for news of a many is not known because the Armed Tson or husband at war seemed unbear- Forces never kept good records of their able in the hearts of mothers, wives and service. They seldom served in any combat sisters. This was turning into a new kind of situation, as the male-oriented Armed war, too. Their men were somewhere in the Forces had not—nor wanted to—train jungles of Vietnam and few families really women for combat. understood what for. Back at home, wives A 1991 paper by curator/archivist Chris- watched over children that did not under- tine Marín, of Arizona State University, stand why dad was gone at all. Others were explains that Census figures do not distin- caught in the pain of having more than one guish between women who actually served family member in the service. in Vietnam and women who were in the Auxiliary member Frances Tovar military in assignments other than Vietnam. remembers the sadness when two of her But women did serve in Vietnam. They brothers got drafted, and she had to watch served as volunteers, nurses, missionaries, them take turns in Vietnam, “When my journalists, doctors, aerial photographers, brother Manuel was in Vietnam, and as admin/support person- they had already put my nel. Among the more than 58,000 brother Ralph [on] leave, and names carved on the wall of the at that time you couldn’t have Vietnam Veterans Memorial in two brothers in [combat] or Washington, D.C., are those whatever. ...but they just of eight women. Their had him on hold.” names are interspersed “Now my brother among their male Manuel, knowing what compatriots.”33

32 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

Phoenix, like other places, seemed to be sending an entire generation of soldiers to war. Pedro and Eleanor Abeytia’s son Bernie was one of the many who went, signing up just after graduating from West Phoenix High School in 1968. He would serve with the Marines, just as his father had years before. Soon after, his older sister, current Aux- iliary member Rita Brock-Perini decided she had to do her part, as well. Rita had known since grade school that

nursing might be her future. She helped in Magazine Photo: Latino Perspectives Rita Brock-Perini, left, celebrates Veterans’ Day the school nurse’s office, watching in fascina- with Auxiliary President Josephine Herrera in 2009. tion as the woman tended to children. She never told Rita she should be a nurse, but just be able to get us out of there. And so they the same she affected young Rita’s future. sent buses for us.” By 1959, Rita had finished nursing school “And the buses got stuck.” and began a job—just as she’d promised “And then they really got concerned herself—as a high school nurse. about it, because it was very cold. We didn’t In 1968, with ten years of nursing expe- have anything in terms of coats or jackets. rience under her belt, Rita enlisted in the Air All we had were those goofy ponchos—and Force Medical Corps. our fatigues. And that won’t keep you warm In January of 1969, she went to Wichita in wet, windy climate.” Falls for an orientation that showed the She laughs, remembering the helicopters Military’s frantic rush to put officers into arrival to lift the women out, one day into their duty stations. “We were the 6 week their training. Then, they would make a sec- wonders. ...our training was brief. I think ond attempt to train her group—and found they took us out on 2 bivouacs. They took us themselves in yet another winter storm. out to... actually it was just over the border “They sent us back again for the second of Texas and Oklahoma.” week, and we were supposed to be out But the weather would not cooperate there for 7 days. And we did do... 6 days. with the trainees. In January 1969, a winter The seventh day they have to pull us out storm raged across the panhandle of Texas again... in helicopters, because it got so and Oklahoma, tearing down power lines muddy and windy.” and shutting down towns. The landscape be- They had gotten through one task—a came a bog, and the trainees were up to their self-extraction challenge where they had to knees in mud, with only flimsy ponchos to find their way back to a rendezvous point protect them against the elements. with busses waiting. “They got worried that they might not “And when they got us back we were just

33 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

gonna do just routine stuff and the storm the worst possible shape—or dead. One of hit that night. So by 3:00 in the morning the most terrible and more common medical they had to get us out by chopper. Because injuries were not gunshot wounds, but the the winds were getting so strong, they results of a primitive wooden booby trap. were afraid they wouldn’t be able to get the “A lot of the troops that were infantry helicopters in.” would come to us with the terrible, terrible, After her troubled training experi- leg injuries because of those Pongee sticks. ence, Rita was sent to Wilford Hall Medical They used to soak them in feces. And then Center in San Antonio. There, the Air Force put them in the ground so the kids would had a full research facility, and it was needed step on them and it would go through their to tackle the new diseases that soldiers were boot and into their foot. And if they didn’t bringing home from a foreign land. get treated soon enough they lost the leg, and In Vietnam, wounded soldiers went maybe even worse because it would spread from the battlefield to a triage location as through the blood system very quickly... close to the front line as possible. If the men And we used to take them off the plane and needed hospitalization they were flown to immediately start treating them while they Japan for a second triage. Finally, they were were on their stretcher. We were changing flown to Wilford Hall. Often, by the time IV’s and putting on very, very strong anti- the soldiers reached Rita’s care, they were in biotics to try and get control of an infection before it created any problems as far as their Rita Brock-Perini hugs her brother, Bernie Abeytia, as he arrives home from Vietnam. limb was concerned. We were trying to save the limb initially. We certainly didn’t want it to spread any further than the limb.” It was always with trepidation that she approached the arriving patients. The thought of pulling back a gurney’s blanket to possibly find her brother wounded or dying was a haunting fear every time the plane landed. Then, one very real scare sent her home to be there for her frantic mother. News had come that her brother Bernie was missing in action. Fortunately, he and his fellow soldiers had only gotten lost for a short time in the forests of Vietnam, and Rita re- turned to Texas to tend to wounded soldiers. With so many young soldiers returning with injuries, it became a challenge working with the young nurses, who had not ex- perienced such trauma. Rita explains, “At

Photo courtesy Rita Brock-Perini that time they had a lot of ... they were

34 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change literally kids. They were like 17... I was 30.” wounded, room capacities were doubled “And I’d had 10 years of nursing experi- with whatever beds could be found. “We had ence before I decided to enlist. I was kind a back bay, where I think there were sup- of a senior. There were about three of us posed to be like 10 beds. And we squeezed that were senior nurses. We had a good 10 20 beds in there. Sometimes we had them on years at least. But we also had new university stretchers in between the beds because that graduates. It was a horrendous experience was all that we could do.” for them. ... Emotionally, they weren’t pre- At the end of a two-year tour of duty pared to deal with the death and dying. You in the Medical Corps, Rita would join the know? I mean, it was an everyday thing.” Arizona Red Cross to teach in disaster emer- “The young nurses just weren’t up to it. gency training seminars. Their skills were not that good. And, you Slowly, the soldiers began to come had to be very quick thinking you had to home. Bernie returned while his sister Rita move fast. And you had to make a lot of deci- was still serving in the Air Force. Friends sions... you know, if you didn’t have a doctor found it amusing that he would have to next to you, and somebody was going to salute his higher-ranking sister when he die—or not—you did what you had to do.” arrived. The newspaper was called to “We had several [nurses] who OD’d. celebrate and capture the moment on “We had some who would just walk camera as they hugged each other as tightly into a room, try to do something, and as possible. Her brother had come home things would get out of control, sit down seated on a commercial flight, not on a on the floor and just cry. They couldn’t gurney. By the end of 1975, the Vietnam do anything else.” War had ended. It was difficult work for Rita and the older nurses. They worked 12-hour shifts, in 10-day rotations. If somebody was sick or A new generation not up to the task, somebody had to forfeit comes home in the 1970s a day off to cover. They had to be strong, where younger nurses fell apart. Meanwhile, h e b a t t l e f o r c i v i l liberties continued – the wounded kept coming. Sometimes the Tthough, after a quarter century, it had patients were local soldiers who hadn’t even become a lighter load for Post 41. Much of gone to war yet. Living in such close quar- their effort had contributed to an improved ters, the young soldiers were under pressure city for Mexican Americans. New voices to complete their training. In an attempt to and new institutions were also taking on the finish, the young men would hide that they struggle; the Chicano Movement was under were feeling sick, only coming to the nurses way in the barrios of Phoenix and across when they were already near dying of menin- the United States. The very same grass- gitis, after having spread the disease to other roots activism that had created Post 41 and soldiers. Outbreaks happened every year. helped it to early success, was now creating In an effort to find space for the organizations such as the Mexican American

35 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

Student Organization (MASO), Movimien- were getting excited about the next National to Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), Convention to be held in Hawaii. Everyone Chicanos Por La Causa, Valle del Sol and the that could go was packing for the trip. Lou- Southwestern Council for La Raza. Some of ise recalls that even “Barry Goldwater went these institutions found monetary support with us to the National Convention when it from national institutions, giving them more was held in Hawaii. ...I even took a picture.” options. This left Post 41 and its Auxiliary In 1972 and 1973, the Auxiliary mem- some freedom to focus on a more common bers of Tony F. Soza Post 41 celebrated a agenda for American Legion Posts: helping little more than usual. Their efforts through soldiers and their families. the year had garnered recognition. They had In 1971, Phoenix’s American Legion received a membership award for obtaining Post 41 was mourning the loss of one its more new Auxiliary members than any other long-time leaders; Tony F. Soza. A ceremony Post; over 200. The Child Welfare award was put together for March 26. 1971. They was given for assistance to veterans and were renaming American Legion Thunder- families with clothing, books, food baskets bird Post 41 to now be called Tony F. Soza and scholarships. They also came home with Post 41 (They would later repeat the honor the Poppy Award and a music award. for member Ray Martinez’s contribution to They also won the Richard H. Bieri Post 41, by adding his name after his passing trophy a second year in a row for their ac- away in 2004). complishments in working together with The newly renamed Post would Legionnaires. Auxiliary member Lorraine continue to enjoy a relatively peaceful time Vásquez tells an amusing story of having throughout the 1970s. A year after Soza’s won the trophy two years in a row, with the passing, his wife Ofelia Soza would chair the condition that whoever could win the trophy Auxiliary’s Arizona convention and a new three years in a row would get to keep the president was elected—Louise Vildosola— trophy, not just watch over it for a year. to replace outgoing president Duvy Jáques. A Lorraine had become the president new generation of members had raised their after Vildosola, and her husband Rudy was children and found the time to give back, via commander of the Post that year. She was the Auxiliary. For example, Louise Vildosola quoted then, saying “If we win the Bieri had been at the first meeting, yet stepped trophy again next year—and we are going away to make her way through years of all out to try for it—we get to keep it.” raising a family in Sunnyslope, a divorce and They did win again. When they won, remarriage, only returning for Veterans’ Day there was a mysterious announcement that to help each year. Finally she had come back they’d tied with another Post in Tempe, and to take a more active part in the Auxiliary, that they would share the trophy with the like her sister Carmen Galindo who had been other Post. The trophy was taken away and active for many years and had been president the three years rule ignored. in the 1950s. The women of the Auxiliary were With 1972 approaching, the women actively involved in the community through

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Past presidents of the Post 41 women’s auxiliary

Anita Lewis Chavez 1948 Carmen Othon 1965-66 Juanita Villa 1977-78 Frances Tovar 1994 Tony Padilla 1948-49 Ida Espejo 1966-67 Lucy Ceballos 1978-79 Pauline Garcia 1994-95 Ofelia Soza 1949-50 Ann Miller 1967-68 Connie Hernandez 1979-80 Annie Garza 1995-96 Frances Aros 1950-51 Gertrude Imperial 1968-69 Arsenia Cota 1980-81 Lupe Valenzuela 1996-97 Amelia Soza 1951-52 Gloria Ramirez 1969-70 Bertha Medina 1981-82 Carmelita Ortega 1997-98 Nettie Yanez 1952-53 Duvy Jacques 1970-71 Sally Ortega 1982-83 Pauline Abril 1998-99 Ruth Zamora 1953-54 Louise Vildosola 1971-72 Linda Ortega 1983-84 Lorraine Vasquez 1999-00 Mary Moreno 1954-55 Lorraine Vasquez 1972-73 Rachel Ochoa 1984-85 Connie Hernandez 2000-01 Mary P. Garcia 1955-56 Vivian Padilla 1973-74 Linda Ortega 1985-86 Jessica White 2001-02 Frances Aros 1956-57 Vivian Frink 1974-75 Carmen Arias 1986-87 Juanita Lechuga 2002-03 Carmen Galindo 1957-58 Mary Ramirez 1975 Juanita Lechuga 1987-88 Mary L. Tores 2003-04 Sally Morales 1958-59 Lucy Ceballos 1975-76 Martha Estril 1988-89 Elvira R. Cruz 2004-05 Margaret Roman 1959-60 Alice Cota 1976-77 Isabel Roman 1988-89 Gloria Bonilla 2005-06 Emelina Espinoza 1960-61 Juanita Villa 1977-78 Martha Murillo 1989-90 Patricia Lugo 2006-07 Eleanor Abeytia 1961-62 Lucy Ceballos 1975-76 Lydia Aros 1990-91 Patricia Lugo 2007-08 Nadine Allen 1962-63 Mary Ramirez 1975 Dolores Peña 1991-92 Josephine Herrera 2008-09 Isabel Roman 1963-64 Lucy Ceballos 1975-76 Ruth “Cuca” Moreno 1992-93 Josephine Herrera 2009-10 Cecilia Abeytia 1664-65 Alice Cota 1976-77 Rose Lechuga 1993-94 dances and yard sales and any other way to raise money for their programs. Trips to the Nurturing Tradition Veterans’ Administration hospital to spend time with veterans were common. Auxiliary o m e t i m e s t r a g e d y c r e a t e s t r a d i t i o n . member Eleanor Abeytia found this one SOne of the American Legion’s missions of her favorite contributions. “We’d go is helping with the losses of war. Through to the hospital ...they had a Christmas the Legion, these traditions have often shop...they would assign a veteran for become long-standing programs to help each of the Auxiliary members...and we’d soldiers and their families survive the grief take ’em around and they would pick out of war and carry on the memory of those the present we had for their families, and who have served. then we’d take them over to another table. One is the tradition of the poppy. And they would wrap them for them. And Every year, little paper poppy flowers they would mail the ones that need to be sprout in the hands of veterans. From crepe mailed and then the ones that were there. paper, they are folded and wrapped onto a We would wrap ’em and give ’em to them, wire stem, complete with a tag to remind so that when their families came to visit those who wear them of the countless lives them they would give them their Christmas.” that have been lost to war. The tradition Another Auxiliary member, Martha spans almost a century. Murillo was well known for her dedica- On November 11th, 1918, at 5 A.M. tion to the men, whom she fondly called men huddled together inside a train car her “boys.” All soldiers everywhere, past or somewhere in the forests of France. In the present—not just her family or the men at cold dark air, they were about to sign the Post 41—were her boys and everything she armistice. The terms of the document said put effort into at the Post was for them. It that five hours later, at exactly 11 A.M. on was a tradition, and the Auxiliary’s love. the 11th day of the 11th month, the world’s

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First World War would end. make a flower that had a little tag on there. When news spread throughout the And it states on there, ‘The American Le- world, celebrations filled the streets from gion; made by hand by a veteran.’ So every Cairo to New York. But, the front lines were year, generally on Veterans’ Day, we go out quiet—in suspended animation as nobody and we distribute them. We don’t ask them moved despite the news. “Maybe it was to buy; we ask them to donate... whatever. If only a temporary cease fire,” they thought. you can’t donate, wear one anyway; wear a The cold battlefields between frozen troops poppy for a veteran.” were a strange somber place; all broken, Josephine Herrera, who has been Aux- churned earth and blood-soaked bodies. iliary president two years in a row, is also In a strange contradiction to the vio- the poppy chairman for Post 41. In 2007 and lence, poppy seeds had found a hold in the 2008, they won the Western Division Poppy upturned soil and began sprouting on the Award for their efforts and for the scrapbook battlefields of France and Belgium. It was as that documents it all. if spilt blood had turned to red flowers. The sweetness of a child’s face can be Three years earlier, in 1915, Canadian a convincing way to bring compassion out Colonel John McCrae had watched this of the community. It’s no surprise that same eerie sight on the battlefield at Ypres, the tradition of a poppy queen appeared. Belgium. He wrote a poem to memorialize Junior members—sometimes a daughter, the poppies he saw, “In Flanders Field.” sometimes a granddaughter—will go around Almost immediately after this first Ar- and ask people to wear a poppy. mistice Day, the wearing of a poppy became Josie’s granddaughter, Lexis Escudero, is a widely accepted symbol of remembrance a new generation of the Women’s Auxil- for our veterans. In 1921, the American iary. As Poppy Queen three years in a row Legion’s first National Convention in Kansas for Post 41, she has not only raised money City would convene, and the poppy would handing out poppies, but also worked with be named its official memorial flower. military children, helped with picnics and Today, crepe-paper poppies are made and even been named official historian for the given out by the American Legion every Junior Auxiliary members. year in hopes of raising funds to help soldiers Lexis explains, “I got into it with my just like those who stood lost, confused at grandma, and I just liked doing it. I like to the end of World War I, between the war give something back to them, ‘cause I feel like they knew and a return to peace. they deserve something after all the work that At Phoenix’s Post 41, the tradition has they’ve done for us. ... I really don’t think I continued since 1948, when Lupe Saiz was should deserve anything back, because they’re named the Auxiliary’s first Poppy Chairman. the ones who did something for my freedom.” Current Auxiliary member Lorraine Another tradition that has carried Vásquez says, “We used to go to VA hospitals through the American Legion’s history is and help make them. ... They’d have a little honoring Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star wire, and we’d wire that around... and well, Mothers. There is no membership fee that

38 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change can ever equal the price a mother pays to become a Gold Star Mother; the loss of her son or daughter’s life in war. Blue Star Moth- ers are those who fret daily because their children are still overseas and in harm’s way while fighting for our country. The National Gold Star Mothers organi- zation was founded in 1928 to provide sup- port for those who have lost a son or brother to war. The Gold Star Mothers and Sisters Photo: Latino Perspectives Magazine Photo: Latino Perspectives of Post 41, with help from the Women’s Lexis Escudero, Poppy queen in 2007, 2008 and 2009 Auxiliary, has helped with the sorrow of with former Auxiliary President Patsy Lugo fallen soldiers for over five decades. Mary Moraga told a local Phoenix By 1986, the entire Golden Gate Barrio had newspaper of how, after her mother died, been bulldozed—except for its Sacred Heart she continued to honor her brother Benny Church. Other neighboring communities Duarte who had died in the Korean War. were falling as well. Mary’s mother had served for 31 years as a And though the decade is considered Post 41 Gold Star Mother. Then, at the end a time of prosperity in American history, of her life, she asked Mary to continue in minorities did not have a proportionate her stead. With the Gold Star group, Mary share of that wealth. Hispanics still had less would go every Memorial Day for Mass at education opportunities and lower-paying nearby St. Anthony’s Church, then breakfast jobs. The women’s struggle for equality and the cemetery ceremony that American had made progress but no complete vic- Legion Post 41 prepares for them. tory, especially for minorities. Women’s Auxiliary member Mary Despite progress in equal rights for Córdova explains, “It’s our way of honoring women, old views were dying a slow death. them and at the same time remembering In Bradford Luckingham’s book, Minorities in them. It’s also a time to thank the Lord for Phoenix, a member of MUJER, a professional who we do have. It’s in our corazón, espe- women’s organization in Phoenix, Carmen cially after 9/11.” Arroyo–Duran says in 1983, “Even today when so many of us are working outside the home, many of us feel a great deal of pres- Convention time in the 1990s sure. They say, ‘Hey why don’t you stay home and take care of your family and your hus- h e 1980s w e r e a d i f f i c u l t time for band?’ ... But with that comes a lot of social Tthe Mexican and Mexican American values, a lot of personal traditions that now communities in South Phoenix. In 1981, one have to be restructured and some discarded of the community’s most respected women because they’ve become obsolete... It used activists, Plácida García Smith, passed away. to be that it was an embarrassment among

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Hispanic males if the wife had to work.”34 The Women’s Auxiliary of Post 41 was still Some women were still pressured to be quietly making life a little better for the the family caretakers before all else, while struggling barrios around them. their husbands went off to work. And few But conventions and the fall conference role models had surfaced in the community were still the events that Post members for them to look up to; women like Marga- looked forward to. Peña continues with a rita Alcantar Reese who was elected the first new list, this time of destinations, “Going to Mexican American Mayor of El Mirage in the convention and the fall conference. We 1974 or Mary Rose Wilcox who was the first went to Douglas and we went to Prescott— Mexican-American woman elected to the to Tucson of course.” Then she slips in an Phoenix City Council in 1983. example of the sort of entertainment the Though married to a World War II vet- Legionnaires and Auxiliary members had, eran, and a longtime member of Post 41, Do- “At the fall conference we used to have a lores “Loli” Peña, didn’t become involved in contest for the legionnaires in membership. their activities until 1990, when she decided And if we beat them, they had to go down to go to a meeting and realized they needed Whiskey Row in Prescott in their under- help. She was working through a difficult wear... in their long johns! [The contest was stretch in her life, as she and her sister took for] the membership dues... We had pretty care of their parents who were in ill health. close to 300 members. The men lost... After they had passed, she needed some- They had to go up and down Whiskey Row thing to distract her thoughts. “In the begin- in their long johns and we took pictures of ning I used to go out on the patio, and we them. That was fun.” would sell hot tamales. ... I became interested Auxiliary member Lorraine Vásquez in helping them, as much as I could. That’s laughs mischievously at the memory of that when I started to become more active.” same contest, “...that was really something. Then, in 1990, at a Legion convention They had to walk around that courtyard... It in a downtown Phoenix hotel, something was a lot of fun.” Then she changes topics. went wrong. The Post 41 Auxiliary com- A crowning achievement for Post 41 mander, Lydia Aros suddenly collapsed to was in 1991 when the American Legion’s the floor. “I was vice president and Lydia National Convention was held in Phoenix. Aros... she had a heart attack... and she just It was also the year that Desert Storm passed out. So I had to take over... that’s Veterans were welcomed officially into the why I became president the first time. But Legion’s membership rolls. then I was reelected ... ’91, and ’92.” With a love of historical factoids and Peña rattles off numerous projects new cultures, Loli was fascinated by the and holiday events the Auxiliary has held various groups arriving in town from across for the children of the community, as well the globe, “Our Post 41 was the one elected as efforts to feed the homeless and help for them to gather... so we had people from veterans. It becomes apparent, that through the Philippines, from Puerto Rico—all the decades, one thing had not changed. over. The people from Puerto Rico brought

40 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change their specialty in food. We had Mexican herself pulled into the organization “It was food, American food, of course. The people friendly. And probably that was the reason from the Philippines... I didn’t even know at I started meeting friends and just stayed that time that they had an American Legion on. From there on, I started volunteering Post... but of course, why not?!” every chance I got or needed me or was “To get acquainted with all these people asked to volunteer.” from outside the state of Arizona is very, And the volunteerism would continue. very good for all of us... we get to learn about The Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary would them, what they are doing in their Post...” take on a new life as the economy and a For lighter moments, Bob Hope was new war make their community efforts as on hand to entertain convention-goers that important as ever. Sunday, and a huge tamale dinner was held with the help of Martha Murillo. Martha Murillo is another woman that The Auxiliary Today sits high on Auxiliary members’ pedestals. Throughout the 1990s she was an inspiring n 2009, t h e a m e r i c a n Legion Post 41 force for many members. She’s pulled many Iseems to be bustling with activity, and the of the best women into the Auxiliary. Lupe Auxiliary is no exception. It is as if the new Valenzuela, another former president recalls century and a financial crisis in the United that Martha was not a woman that took ‘no’ States rejuvenated them. In August of 2008, for an answer. “She was the one that got the National Convention was held in Phoenix me going. She called me one day and says, again, to further inspire the Post to do more. ‘you don’t know me but my name is Martha They have revived yard sales and a Murillo, and I know your husband for a long menudo breakfast event on Sunday mornings time, so I want you to come to the meet- to raise money. Current Auxiliary president, ing. We’re having one on Thursday.’ I said Josie Herrera is particularly proud of the ‘welllll, I’ll see.” “No, you don’t see. You women’s choir they started in 2008. come.’ ...and I went.” “We formed a choir last year... A Martha, and her husband Espiridion retired teacher, Tommie Taylor. She’s our “Piro” M. Murillo were well loved and choirmaster—teaches us how to sing. We known in the community. As owners have 10–12 [choir members]. It just de- of Mi Ranchito restaurant and a tortilla pends on who comes that day. We sing at chip company, they had made their own different functions. We sing at El Portal, success, showing the tendency toward and they pay us money. And when they self employment and self sufficiency that pay us, we use it for our programs... the many in the Mexican American commu- different programs that we support.” nity had used to improve their lives. Herrera rattles off the choir’s But when it came to bringing in members with enthusiasm, “Patricia members, Martha did her job well. Cer- Lugo, Mary Córdova, Lupe Valenzuela, tainly it had worked with Lupe, who found Lorraine Vásquez, Jenny Lechuga, Mary

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Torres—also a past president—we got requires a lot of services that Arizona has to three juniors. Asiria Lugo, Analisia Juarez provide, whether they get money or not.” and Angelita... Angelita? Oh yeah! Benita “So I said to them, this is where you Chacon! She’s one of the choir.” really could make a difference. The Post can But the choir is only one of many events. spearhead a drive where we give information Often speakers are brought to Auxiliary to the community and we support the census meetings to inform and inspire members. It project and we educate people as to why was at one recent event such as these that the we’re doing this.” Post succeeded in making members of Rita The Auxiliary contracted with the Brock-Perini, the daughter of Eleanor Abey- Census, and received materials to help them tia. Rita had come to speak to the Auxiliary in a task they are best suited to perform; members about the City of Phoenix Military instilling trust and informing the people. Veterans’ Commission. She walked away a The effort seems reminiscent of the task member, and not just of the Auxiliary. Rita undertaken by Auxiliary women in the late Brock-Perini is a veteran, and also joined as a 1940s when they were inspiring their com- member of Post 41. munity to vote in bond elections. Rita is not only involved with Post 41, but And Rita agrees, “as long as I can re- works with LULAC Council 1087. She has member, the community has always looked whispered new ideas in the ears of Post 41 to the Post for help with anything.” Auxiliary members. Some are new approaches In order to deliver on that expectation, to survival that have helped give the Auxiliary Post 41 and its Women’s Auxiliary have found something to look forward to with new ideas it necessary to reach out to other organiza- to achieve their goals. Rita shares some of her tions in order to be more effective. In 2008, efforts, “The other concept I’m trying to in- the U.S. economy began struggling to stay troduce to both the Legion and the Auxiliary is afloat in the midst of its worst collapse since the concept of partnering. Because in this day the Great Depression of the 1930s. Nonprofit and age there isn’t any nonprofit that can pretty organizations were among the worst hit, much float on their own right now. If you because much of their money is dependent on don’t have somebody to partner with you, community involvement—and the commu- it’s extremely difficult to get anything done... nity had become too busy trying to protect its CPLC is the one we started out with. And own resources. now we’re partnering with the census 2010.” The efforts of newer members may not The reason Rita suggested this as a good always sit well with the older members of project to take on, says something of the the Auxiliary. With a moment of mothering Post’s long-standing place of respect in the sternness, 91-year-old Louise Vildosola leans community where it is located. “It’s in a high forward in the chair, her thin arms sup- poverty area. And the census... every time porting her weight as she comments on the they do the census, they count residents and current Auxiliary members, “Well, they are the money gets allocated to Arizona, de- (doing things)... you can’t tell ‘em anything. pending on who got counted. Well, that area It’s...” A laugh slips out before she continues,

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“It’s funny... Duvy Jacques, she was very active. And she knew a lot more than what I did. She used to correct them, and they didn’t like it. Then there was a... she was our district president, Yañez. One of the Yañez girls and she used to get to them, and they didn’t like it.” “So you don’t tell ’em anything. They have the book. They can open the book if they want.” Then Vildosola concedes, “But they’re doing alright.” It’s as if she has admitted to herself that it’s a new time for the women. That everything will be just fine, even Magazine Photo: Latino Perspectives Chaplain Mary Córdova at left, celebrates Veterans’ Day though the reins have been handed off to a 2009 with Post 41 Auxiliary President Josephine Herrera new generation. These “new” members have found ways a homeless shelter, and how she made the to give back to the community. One example members there so happy. is Mary Angulo Córdova. She speaks with a “One of the homeless guys had passed soft care for the world around her, and refus- away. And he had no family, and they wanted es to speak ill of anyone. She dove headlong some kind of closure for him, all the resi- into helping those around her, after she was dents, and they asked me if I would go and caught in the emotions of the sudden death of do the service. They called me at noon, and her husband David L. Córdova, in 1992. so I did, I was there at 5. ... I’ve done a lot Dolores “Loli” Peña gave Córdova her of services... but that one...” Córdova gazes prayer book when she passed on Chaplain off in reverence as she continues, “...it was duties to her. And Peña can’t help but speak outside. And they had a big pole with a flag. highly of Córdova, “she has been doing a And I think they had 15 to 18 of the resi- wonderful job since ’97, and even before dents. It was out in the open. The homeless that. And she goes out to the homeless guy’s name was Freddie. And they told me people, bringing blankets and food and his story. We had a prayer. We had a fellow- whatever else she can take them.” ship. They came and told his story. When it Today, as chaplain, Córdova is called ended, I knew that Freddie had been given up for the duty of speaking at funerals. the dignity that he so deserved as a veteran. In 2009, there have been nine Auxiliary He didn’t leave all forgotten.” members who passed on. But she also gives a But Córdova just can’t stop at that remembrance and service to those veterans effort to give back. After the Twin Towers lost in the cracks of society. She treasures the collapsed on September 11, 2001, she im- memory of a phone call she received during mediately volunteered with the Red Cross, the summer of 2009, from the director of answering calls from worried citizens. In

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2005 she returned to help the Red Cross who wanna be talking, they’ll start going provide for those displaced by Hurricane right away. So I’m a good listener you know? Katrina and its destruction of the coast- ...I reinforce how... we are proud of their line in the Southeastern U.S. She also service to our country. This is going back to gives back to those who are between lives Vietnam. I don’t want any veteran to ever and destinations, as soldiers entering or feel that way.” returning from duty. “And sometimes it’s just funny con- Córdova is a volunteer at the Military versations. Sometimes they go on with and Veterans Hospitality Room at Phoenix their family so I just wish ’em well. Most Sky Harbor International Airport, opened of them always say, ‘well, we’ll come back in 2006 and created in part by the Phoenix here, when we leave.’ And I say, ‘please Military & Veterans Commission that Rita do that.’ There’s been times when they Brock-Perini is a member of. are at the door, and I just give ’em a hug “That was something that caught my and I just say a quick prayer when I know eye right away, because I knew it would be they’re leaving. And I can see that they... serving veterans. So I volunteered… So appreciate it.”35 when they come in, of course they sign in, Mary Córdova has also donated some- and then I show them... I give them a tour; thing precious to the Hospitality Room. where the coffee is and refreshments are. While visiting the hospitality room, And you can use the computers.” Marine Captain Kevin M. Brown had “I point out everything we have there spotted an empty flag case and offered to available for them... sometimes... some of fly a flag on a mission and return it for them... the ones who touch my heart, are display. With much of Mary Córdova pas- the ones who are just enlisted and they’re sion for community service coming as a going to boot camp; the young kids. I can way to overcome her husband’s unexpect- tell right away when they walk in, you ed passing in 1992, it seems fitting that know? They look so young. They have this she donated the memorial flag for her late kind of scared look—like they don’t know husband, veteran David L. Córdova. what’s out there.” “We sent David Córdova’s memorial Córdova does her best to set these flag to Captain Brown, who along with new recruits at ease, for a brief moment on his copilot Marine Captain Aaron E. Mil- their way into the unknown world of the roy, flew the flag aboard a U.S. Marine military. She asks them to come back and Corps AH-1W ‘Super Cobra’ helicopter tell her how they’re doing. They often do. during a close air support combat mis- When they do, she does her best to avert a sion over Iraq on April 19, 2007, during repeated heartbreak of unwelcomed soldiers Operation Iraqi Freedom,” says executive who returned from Vietnam. director Anne Theodosis.”36 “Also when some come back... some of Perhaps the humble passion of the Ameri- them want to talk, some don’t. And you can can Legion Post 41 Women’s Auxiliary can tell right away... we wait for them... Those be seen in Mary Córdova’s reply when asked

44 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change why she doesn’t have any desire to become you tell me, just what you did? What did president of the Auxiliary, “I have been urged you do in the Navy?’” to run for the president. Specially by the Rudy replied to his wife’s request, commanders who know me. In my heart I feel “Well, I was in the 7th Fleet.” like I have been touched, the way that I am Trying to keep tears back, her voice serving. Someone else would have to answer cracks in the animated retelling, “So I got that or tell you [why], but I’m very proud of up. I ran around and hugged him! ‘I followed what I’ve done as Chaplain. And my goal has you! I followed you!!’” always been to bring people together. And She wipes her moist eyes with a also be in the Legion family—show the side sheepish smile, a little embarrassed at her of us that we all need to unite. You know how emotion, and continues, “So, anyway... it can be when you have a group. I’m more that’s why... I’m devoted to the program. or less the cheerleader... I just feel ... that’s And the veterans.” what I was meant to be. Being the president is Devotion. This is what courses wonderful, and I admire them all so much...” through the hearts of these women. She then explains that all her efforts keep her When they and their husbands could not busy enough. celebrate their patriotism at the existing But where does all of this passion come American Legion Post 1, they formed from for these women? Perhaps it can be their own Post where Mexican American described in Lorraine Vásquez’s telling of veterans were welcomed. a childhood memory and the discovery she These were women who knocked made several decades later, “We had this on every door they could to motivate an teacher. She must’ve had a relative, father, entire community in bond elections. They brother, whatever. And she had a world prepared meal after meal; dance after map... on the wall. And she would tell us dance—all to pull families together or raise where the seventh fleet was. Every week. It funds to help those in need. Some have was very patriotic times.” healed babies and educated the mothers who For a bit, Vásquez trails off into the could not have done it alone. These women details of her childhood patriotism. After a have spent countless hours in hospitals with long discussion of all the ration books, and veterans that many had forgotten through collecting rubber, about being a brownie the decades, and said eulogies for homeless and other contributions to the war effort she veterans and comforted the women who returns to her point. paid an ultimate price by losing their child “So then, I go back to this classroom in the crossfire of our wars. [where] we followed the 7th Fleet.” She At Tony F. Soza/Ray Martinez Post gestures to her husband, Rudy Vásquez, 41, these women have kept traditions alive, and continues. “Maybe about five, six yet fomented the change needed to better years ago, we were sitting at the table and lives, through community service and I asked. See, he never talked about his activism. They continue to do so, for a new experiences. So I did ask him. I said, ‘Can’t generation of hope.

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Sources

1. January 30, 1948 Auxiliary Meeting minutes 15. Lorraine Vasquez, September 2009 tape- document, provided by American Legion Auxiliary recorded interview by Charles H. Sanderson Post 41 16. Arizona’s Hispanic Military Contribution, by 2. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What Christine Marín, February 1991, Pages 9-10 We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, 17. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, 1998) By Jean Reynolds: pages 71–73, 84, 85 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, 3. El Paso Herald Post, April 27, 1957: page 3 1998) By Jean Reynolds: pages 151-152) 4. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What 18. Minnie Rangel Martínez, October 2009 tape- We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, recorded interview by Charles H. Sanderson 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, 19. Tony Valenzuela, August 2008 tape-recorded 1998) By Jean Reynolds: interview by Charles H. Sanderson 5. Latinas in the United States: a historical ency- 20. Arizona Republic December 6, 1949 clopedia, Volume 1, By Vicki Ruíz, Virginia Sánchez 21. The First Hundred Years: a History of Arizona Korrol: page 271 Blacks by Richard E. Harris, page 139 6. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What 22. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, 1998) By Jean Reynolds: (91) page 154 1998) By Jean Reynolds 7. A Legal History of Maricopa County, By Stan 23. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What Watts, page 37; Jean Reynolds, We Made Our Life We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, As Best We Could With What We Had: Mexican 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, American Women in Phoenix, 1930-1949 (M.A. 1998) By Jean Reynolds: page 156 Thesis. Arizona State University, 1998); Tony Va- 24. Ibid: Pages 154-155 lenzuela, 2009 tape-recorded interview by Charles 25. Mary Córdova, 2009 tape-recorded interview H. Sanderson; Harriet Chavez, 2009 tape-recorded by Charles H. Sanderson interview by Charles H. Sanderson 26. Ibid. 8. DVD presentation: Los Veteranos of World War 27. Ibid. II. A Mission for Social Change in Central Arizona, 28. Minnie Rangel Martínez, 2009 tape-recorded by Pete R. Dimas Published in 2007, Braun Sacred interview by Charles H. Sanderson Heart Center, Inc. 29. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What 9. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, 1998) by Jean reynolds: from 80 Ibid, 154-156; 1998) By Jean Reynolds: page 78–79 30. Rita Brock-Perini, 2009 tape-recorded inter- 10. Minnie Rangel Martínez, 2009 tape-recorded view by Charles H. Sanderson interview by Charles H. Sanderson 31. Viva Kennedy: Mexican Americans in search of 11. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What Camelot By Ignacio M. García, page 66 We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, 32. Frances Tovar, 2009 tape-recorded interview 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, by Charles H. Sanderson 1998) By Jean Reynolds: Page 174 33. Arizona’s Hispanic Military Contribution, by 12. En Aquel Entonces, Christine Marín, 304, Avila: Christine Marín, February 1991, page 4 Titcomb, 59: El Mensajero, October 9, 1942, Sher- 34. Minorities in Phoenix: a Profile of Mexican man, 3); Progress and a Mexican American commu- American, Chinese American , and African American nity’s struggle for existence: Phoenix’s Golden Gate communities, 1860-1992 By Bradford Luckingham, Barrio, by Dr. Pete R. Dimas, page 110 page 71 13. Christine Marín, En Aquel Entonces, page 181 35. Mary Córdova, 2009 tape-recorded interview 14. We Made Our Life As Best We Could With What by Charles H. Sanderson We Had: Mexican American Women in Phoenix, 36. Latino Perspectives Magazine, July 2008 1930-1949 (M.A. Thesis. Arizona State University, 1998) By Jean Reynolds: page 56

46 Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change

INDex

7th Fleet, U.S. Navy 45 Goldwater, Margaret “Peggy” 26 Perez, Nick 5 Abeytia, Bernie 33 Goodyear Aircraft Corporation 12 Perez, Moses 5 Abeytia, Eleanor 24, 25, 27, 33 Gonzales, Henry 29 Phoenix City Council 23, 26 Abeytia, Pedro 19, 33 Grant Park 11, 18, 20, 23, 30 Phoenix City Hall 11 Alianza Hispano Americana 8, 30 Greer, Dr. Joseph Madison 17 Phoenix Americanization Committee 9 Allen, Nadine 24,25 Harmon Park 11 Pongee stick 34 American Legion Post 41 14-15 Harmony Club 18 Poppies 37-39 Arizona National Guard 19 Herrera, Josephine 21, 27, 31, 38, 41 Poppy Queen 38 Arizona Voter’s League 9 Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 7 Prescott 40 Aros, Lydia 40 In Flanders Field 38 Ragsdale, Eleanor Dickey 27 Arroyo-Duran, Carmen 39 Jácques, Duvy 36 Ragsdale, Lincoln 22, 25, 27 Benson, Arizona 17 Kennedy, John F. 29 Ramirez, Gloria 25 Benzing, Novatus 7 KIFN Radio 11 Rangel, Luis 7 Bieri, Richard H. 36 KOY Radio 19 Rangel, Josephine 7 Blue Star Mothers 39 Lechuga, Juanita “Jenny” 25, 42 Red Cross 13, 44 Bond elections 23 Leñadores del Mundo 13 Reese, Margarita Alcantar 40 Boys Nation 29 Lewis, Anita: See Chavez, Anita Lewis Roybal, Edward 23, 29 Brock-Perini, Rita 19, 25, 33-35, 42, 44 Lewis, Enriqueta 9, 11 Saenz, Cisco 21 Castro, Raul H. 9, 26 Lewis, John 9 Saiz, Lupe 38 Chacón, Benita 42 Lugo, Patricia 42 Smith, Plácida García 9, 10, 11, 39 Chávez, Anita Lewis 5, 9, 10, 16 LULAC Council 110 11 Southside Improvement Organization 11 Chávez, Judge Harriet 10 Luzon 17 Soza, Ofelia R. 5, 15, 25, 36 Chávez, Senator Dennis 29 Marcos De Niza Public Housing 13, 18 Soza, Tony F. 31, 36 Chicanos Por La Causa 36, 42 Martínez, Minnie Rangel 7, 8, 9, Standard Oil 13 Choir 41 10, 11, 12, 16, 26 Stedwell, Anne 15, 16 Clelland, Laura A. 20 Martínez, Ray 10, 14, 23, 36 St. Mary’s Church 7 Clinton, William Jefferson 29 McLoughlin, Father Emmett 16 St. Monica’s Hospital 16,19 Color Guard 21 McCormick, Carlos 30 Tovar, Frances 22, 25, 32 Córdova, David L. 44 Medical Corps. 33-35 Tovar, Manuel 32 Córdova, Mary 21, 42, 43-42 Medina, Bertha 25 Valenzuela, Efren 5 Córdova, Valdemar 26 Mexican American Student Organization 35 Valenzuela, Josephine 16 Cota-Robles, Mary Estela 9 Military And Veterans Hospitality Room 44 Valenzuela, Lupe 42 Dancing 22, 31 Military & Veterans Commission 44 Valenzuela, Rebecca 5 Desert Storm 40 Miranda, Ben 27 Valenzuela, Tony 16 Diaz, Adam 6, 26 Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Valle Del Sol 36 Donofrio family 8 Aztlán (MEChA) 35 Vasquez, Lorraine 13, 28, 36, 38, 40, Dorsett, Fay 16 MUJER organization 39 42, 45 East Madison Street Settlement 22 Murillo, Espiridion “Piro” 41 Vasquez, Rudolph 36 El Mensajero 11, 13 Murillo, Martha 25, 37, 41 Veterans Administration Hospital 37 El Sol 13 Napolitano, Janet 29 Vildosola, Louise 5, 6, 31, 36, 42 Employment 6, 7 National Convention 40 Viva Kennedy Campaign 29, 30 Encanto District 27 Nebreda, Father Ántimo G. 7 Well-baby clinic 16-18 Escudero, Lexis 38 Olivarez, Graciela “Grace” Gil 11 Wilcox, Mary Rose 26, 40 Friendly House 9, 10, 18 Ortega, Linda 25 Wilford Hall 34 folklórico dance 13, 20, 21 Ortiz, Laura 15, 16 Williams, Jack 19 Fuentes, Frank “Pipa” 14, 15, 16 Ortiz y Pina de Kleven , Concha 30 Wormley, Dr. Lowell C. 18 García, Maria A. 11, 15 Othon, Florencio “Lencho” 26 Yañez, Clara 18 Girls’ State 27 Pacheco, Alex 21 Yañez, Matilde “Tillie” 17, 18 Gomez, Dora 5 Padilla, Vivian 25 Yañez, Rogelio “Roy” 13 Gold Star Mothers 39 Past Presidents 37 Yañez, Suse 17, 18 Goldwater, Barry 15, 22, 23, 26, 31, 36 Peña, Dolores “Loli” 40, 43

47 A message from our project partners

Latino Perspectives Magazine presents this humble tribute to the current and past member- ship of American Legion “Tony F. Soza-Ray Martinez” Post 41; to the families and brave men and women who have, without fanfare, played a pivotal role in fostering patriotism, civic engagement, and the preservation of cultural traditions in our community. Latino Perspectives is honored to preserve their contributions and further its editorial mission to document the pursuit of the American Dream. We salute “The Jewel of El Barrio,” and our project partners, RCI and SRP.

The vision of the Raul H. Castro Institute (RCI) is to improve the quality of life for the Latino community in Arizona by focusing on the priority areas of education, health & human services, and civic engagement & leadership. The Women of the American Legion “Tony F. Soza-Ray Martinez” Post 41 embrace the spirit of leadership and, for decades, have championed civic engagement. Their work in providing health services to the community is a true example of stewardship. We hope that the use of this book in educational institutions will touch lives for decades to come, and continue to inspire generations of leaders. RCI is proud to be a part of this project.

For more than 100 years, SRP has worked to deliver more than power by providing outreach and support to the communities we serve. The contributions of Arizona’s Latino community are entwined with both the history of our state and the history of SRP. But we recognize that the Latino community has even more to offer and will shape Arizona’s future in profound ways. SRP is proud to partner with the Raul H. Castro Institute and Latino Perspectives Magazine to preserve the stories of Those Who Serve, help define the rich history of our state and inspire a new generation to play its part in shaping a future of boundless potential. On behalf of the SRP employee family, we hope you enjoy this book.

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