WOMEN, POLITICS, AND ACTIVISM SINCE SUFFRAGE COPH OHP_270 Center for Oral and Public History California State University, Fullerton 3 Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project OH 5337 Narrator: DR. THERESA MONTAÑO Interviewer: Carie Rael Date: April 19, 2014 Location: Eagle Rock, California Language: English Project: Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Audio Format: digital Length: 01:04:12 Transcript: none Ephemera: Field notes; recording log; photograph Abstract: An oral history of Dr. Theresa Montano, a professor of Chicano studies at California State University of Fullerton. In addition, she is also a union activist and former student activist in Los Angeles. The purpose of this interview is look at student activism from the 1960’s to 1990’s. This interview is part of the Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Project. Specifically, this interview explores her role as a student organizer and participant in the Los Angeles Walkouts of 1968 and the anti-Bakke decision. Dr. Montano’s Chicana activism during her time as a college student is also a constant theme throughout her interview. In this narrative, Dr. Montano reveals that she was a part of the first class to desegregate Huntington High School in Los Angeles and that she campaigned for Bobby Kennedy in 1968 as well. Dr. Montano grew up in a union family and became active in unions ever since. 2 OH 5343 Narrator: CYNTHIA JANE MINSTERCHENG Interviewer: Gabriela Zimmerman Date: October 08, 2013; 10:15 A.M. Location: Los Angeles, California Language: English Project: Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Audio Format: digital Length: 01 hour, 16 minutes Transcript: Partial; 10 pp Ephemera: Field notes; recording log; photograph Abstract: An oral interview with Cynthia Jane MinsterCheng , Communications Organizer for NationBuilder, former Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) National Board member, and International Board member. She is an alumna of Wellesley College, where she majored in Peace and Justice Studies. This interview was part of an oral history project for Dr. Natalie M. Fousekis’ History 492A Community History course. The purpose of the interview was to gather on Cynthia’s activism over the years and her involvement with WILPF. Topics discussed include: Cynthia’s early childhood; her brothers’ drug use and how she coped; her participation as a child in the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign; her college experience at Wellesley; how she defines feminist; how she became a member of WILPF; how she assumed a leadership position at WILPF; the motivation behind her activism; her activism as a member of the National Board and International Board of WILPF; challenges she faced with regards to her activism; accomplishments as WILPF member; what she learned about herself as a member of WILPF; WILPF Los Angeles activities; internal problems in WILPF; the effects of 9/11 and the Iraq War on the peace movement and WILPF; Changes in the peace movement and WILPF; the formation of the Code Pink organization; the strategies used by peace activist organizations; and the future of the peace movement and WILPF. 3 Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project OH 5344 Narrator: MARIA ROSA LOPEZ (b. 1950) Interviewer: Kevin Cabrera Date: October 11, 2013 Location: Santa Ana, California Language: English Project: Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Audio Format: digital Length: 02:31:30 Transcript: final; 30 pages Ephemera: photograph; recording log; field notes Abstract: This is an oral history of Maria Rosa Lopez, a cofounder of Hermandad Mexicana in Santa Ana, California. The purpose of this interview was to collect her life history, details of her local activism, and role in the historic Santa Ana rent strikes. Specifically, this interview details Lopez’ early life and family background in Mexico City, Mexico; shares how her single mother supported the family; discusses her siblings; how she and her mother reacted to a family tragedy; goes into further detail about the family’s hardships; her grandparents’ background and a reflection on her mother’s strength; growing up in Mexico City and the traditional foods and clothing; America’s influence in Mexico City in the 1960s; details her education from primary to higher; discusses the Partido Socialista and why she got involved with the student movement; goes into detail about the marches she participated in against Mexico’s government, and talks about the change she hoped to accomplish; the student massacre in Tlatelolco; shares the difficulties she faced during the protests; her time studying architecture at the Escuela Nacional de Architectura in Chiapas; discusses her time and experiences living with Indigenous communities in Chiapas during the 1970s; how the student massacre shaped her; moving to the United States and adjusting to life and work in Los Angeles; involvement with Hermandad Nacional de Mexico and co-founding the Hermandad Mexicana in Santa Ana; her experiences being in a male-dominated field as well as lobbying against the government’s immigration laws, such as Simpson-Mazzoli; discusses the Santa Ana rent strikes in the eighties and her specific involvement; explains the role of the undocumented tenants during the strikes; the role of mothers and women in the movement and their accomplishments; the City of Santa Ana’s reaction to the strikes; her reaction to seeing the dismal living conditions of the renters and the misconduct and abuse by their landlords; explains the importance of Hermandad Mexicana’s to the undocumented community; being a role model to undocumented parents and children; briefly discusses Cesar Chavez coming to speak at the rent strikes; discusses winning the rent strikes and court case, the tenant’s reactions, and the aftermath; shares her regret of not recording more data from the strikes; what motivates her to keep advocating for immigrants and change, as well as challenges she has faced; thoughts on women in activism; shares various political campaigns she helped organize; ends the interview with discussing her pride and belief in the Mexican culture, belief in self-betterment, and the power of education. 4 Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project OH 5345 Narrator: CYRENA NOUZILLE Interviewer: Eric Ortega Date: October 18, 2013 Location: Agoura Hills, California Language: English Project: Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Audio Format: digital Length: 45 minutes 22 seconds Transcript: Partial transcript; 11 pp Ephemera: Field notes; recording log; photograph Abstract: An oral history with Cyrena Nouzille, founder and proprietor of Ladyface Alehouse and Brasserie in Agoura Hills, California. This interview was conducted for the Women, Politics, and Activism Oral History Project on behalf of California State University and the Center for Oral and Public History. This interview is also part of Professor Natalie M. Fousekis’ oral history course. Specifically, the interview discusses Nouzille’s early life growing up, living on a ranch in Oregon and how it changed her views on food production; her college experience and learning fermentation sciences in biology labs; how she was an active homebrewer before founding her business and shares early experiences touring West Coast breweries; comments on the welcoming experience she had when learning to homebrew; opening a business with what appeared to be minor experiences in gender prejudices, which she attributes to simple social mistakes; discusses the importance of education among new women beer drinkers and overcoming the ignorance of many beer drinkers about what represents craft and artisanal brewing; how she founded a women’s beer club; and finally, discusses beer naming and the importance of locality and history when marketing a new beer. 5 Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project OH 5346 Narrator: DR. LOUISE ADLER (b.1943) Interviewer: Kate Tello Date: October 22, 2013; 12:30 p.m. Location: Lake Forest, California Language: English Project: Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Audio Format: digital Length: 01:23:39 Transcript: final; 28 pages Ephemera: photographs Abstract: An oral history with Louise Adler, spouse of (deceased) chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party, Howard Adler and cofounder of Women in Leadership (WIL). The interview was conducted for the Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project for California State University, Fullerton, and the Center for Oral and Public History The purpose of this interview was to gather information regarding Adler’s involvement with WIL and her job as professor in the CSUF Education Department. Specifically, this interview talks about Adler’s single-parent childhood and educational background; explains how she became involved with politics; recalls bird-dogging and work as voter registrar; remembers hearing President Kennedy’s “Ask Not” speech and describes Orange County’s reaction to his candidacy; tells how she met her husband, Howard Adler, on Congressman Hanna’s campaign and why they married; recalls living in Washington D.C. in the 1960s and her involvement with anti-war demonstrations and the New Mobilization; comments on Congressman Hanna’s connection to the Koreagate scandal; explains why she went back to school for her education doctorate; recalls being hired as the first female tenure track professor in CSUF’s Education Department; documents the departments personnel and accreditation struggles;