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April 2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Latinos in Pasadena
By Blog MasterPosted: 08/25/2022
Notes Sharon Jarret:
Dick introduced Roberta Martinez, the author of the book "Latinos in Pasadena" (2009). Ms. Martinez is a Pasadena resident, activist, researcher and producer.
Ms. Martinez began by sharing biographical information. She grew up in East Los Angeles, participated in the student walk outs, eventually moving to Pasadena as an adult. She lived in Pasadena fifteen years before she became aware of the history of Latinos in the city. Much of what was known was limited to the local newspapers. As she became more a part of the community she began to learn from the community "elders" history that was not in writing. Using resources at the Huntington Library, Pasadena Museum of History she began to build her knowledge base. Using a series of photographs she shared what she learned and what became her book "Latinos in Pasadena".
Ms. Martinez began with a land acknowledgement...Pasadena is located on the lands of the Tongva people who also used the name Gabrielano.
The San Gabriel Mission
Established in 1771. Was the wealthiest of the missions due to tallow production and olive orchards.
The mission was the early center of life before the downtown plaza of Los Angeles. Dona Eulalia Perez de Guilen de Mari, 1766-1878 was an important figure during the mission period. She was present at Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1812 when an earthquake destroyed the mission and killed her husband.
She migrated to Mission San Gabriel with her son. Over time she became the "holder of the keys" to the mission and provided an early oral history of mission life. She served as a midwife and herbalist of the community.
After the Treaty of Guadalupe, she became the holder of title to what would become Rancho Rincon San Pasqual. This land was transferred eventually to Manual Garfias.
Significant members of the community
Pio Pico. Last Mexican Governor
Arturo Bandini. Establish the tournament which became the prototype for the Rose Parade. In 1903 hired the Greene Brothers to build a house, El Hogar.
Elliott Family. One of the Indiana Colony families. One of their members married into the Bandini Family.
Manual Conteras. Founder of the Mexican American Club of Pasadena
Mauricio Valadez. First Latino member of the Pasadena Fire Department, 1956.
Labor
1910s. Laborers were brought from Mexico. This began the cycle of bringing workers when there was a need and forcing those workers back to Mexico when there was no work. This continued through the 1930s.
Schools and Libraries
From the turn of the century to the 1930s there were 2 schools for Mexican American children, Junipero Serra School and Chihuahita school. Both focused on manual training rather than academics. Serra was closed in 1931 due to under enrollment caused depression era deportations.
Three population centers
Southside
Cypress/Winona in the Northwest
Chihuahita in the eastern part of the city
Cooperative Laundry
Established in the 1930s on what is now Arroyo Parkway. Part of the Social Gospel movement. Provided work to the community.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Raymond and California. Gathering and support structure for the community.
There was a second Catholic Church St John the Baptist which served the Latino community and two Methodist churches in the community.
MEChA -- Movimiento Estudiantil de Chicanos de Aztlan
Founded at Muir High School in 1973. First student organization.
Ms. Martinez then shared a series of photos including:
Liana Yamasaki. First Latina Rose Queen, 1993
Laura Farber. First Latina President of the Tournament of Roses, 2019
Questions and answers followed the presentation. Ms. Martinez concluded by stressing the need for history to be shared within the community "find out about those who were here".
A Bibliography of sources for the presentation will be posted on the group blog.
The participants thanked Ms. Martinez for her thoughtful presentation.
The next meetings will be September 2nd at 10:00 AM PST and September 16th at 12:00 Noon PST.
Brian Biery will continue his exploration on the history of Pasadena at the meeting on the 16th. This presentation is strutured as a question and answer session with a special guests that an provide personal insights regarding Race in Pasadena. Because of this approach, each session is a fresh new insight into the subject. Every session is engagong and informative, because you are hearing te reflections of peoples actual experience.
The video for this presentation can be viewed by clicking on "Latinos in Pasadena."