Land Struggle in New Mexico in the 1960s:
During the 1960s, Mexican American activists in New Mexico struggled to reclaim land that had been taken away from their ancestors during the Spanish colonization and later through various land-grabbing practices. One of the most notable events of the land struggle was the "courthouse raid" that took place in 1967. This raid was led by Chicano activist Reies Lopez Tijerina, who believed that the land grant deeds that were issued to Mexican settlers in the mid-1800s were still valid and that the government had unlawfully taken away their land. Tijerina and his followers raided the courthouse in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, and took hostages to draw attention to their cause. The incident resulted in a shootout with law enforcement and several people were injured. Tijerina was arrested and sentenced to prison but was later released.
Rose Tijerina, the wife of Reies Lopez Tijerina, also played an important role in the land struggle. She was a community organizer who helped to mobilize support for the movement and was instrumental in creating a network of activists across New Mexico to fight for land rights and other issues affecting Mexican Americans.
Women in the Chicano Power Movement:
Women played a significant role in the Chicano Power Movement, which emerged in the late 1960s as a response to the discrimination and oppression faced by Mexican Americans. In addition to fighting for civil rights and social justice, women also worked to address the specific needs of their communities.
One of the key issues that women focused on was access to health care. Many Mexican American communities lacked access to quality health care, and women played a critical role in advocating for better services. They organized health clinics and education programs, and worked to raise awareness about issues like infant mortality and reproductive rights.
Women also played a vital role in bringing literature and press to the movement. They established publishing houses and literary magazines that provided a platform for Chicano writers and artists to share their work and ideas. These publications helped to build a sense of community and identity among Mexican Americans and played an important role in shaping the Chicano Movement.
Finally, women also worked to advance youth rights during the Chicano Power Movement. They organized youth programs and education initiatives, and advocated for better opportunities for young people. This included fighting for better schools and educational programs, as well as working to address issues like police brutality and racial profiling that disproportionately affected young people of color.
Women in the Farmworkers' Fight for Justice:
During the Farmworkers' Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, women played a critical role in organizing and advocating for the rights of farmworkers. They worked alongside men in the fields, organizing strikes and boycotts to demand better wages and working conditions.
In addition to their work in the fields, women also played important roles in organizing and leading protests and other forms of activism. They worked to build solidarity among different communities and organizations, and were instrumental in building support for the movement.
Women also played a critical role in organizing the Delano grape strike of 1965, which was a pivotal moment in the Farmworkers' Movement. Led by Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, the strike brought together thousands of workers and supporters to demand better wages and working conditions. Women played key roles in organizing the strike and building support, and their contributions were essential to the success of the movement.
Overall, women played vital roles in various social justice movements during the 1960s and 1970s. They worked tirelessly to address issues like discrimination, inequality, and oppression, and their contributions helped to build stronger more inclusive communities.