Hernández, Antonia

Metadata

Abstract

An oral history with Antonia Hernández, Executive Director of the California Community Foundation (CCF). This interview was conducted for the Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project at California State University, Fullerton. The purpose of this interview is to shed light on activist Latinas in Southern California. This interviews specifically discusses Hernandez’ childhood journey from Mexico to East Los Angeles; learning English and the challenges of assimilation; education at East LA College (ELAC) and UCLA; involvement in the Chicano Movement; early ambitions as a teacher, then deciding to attend UCLA Law School; becoming a legal aid at the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, and the Legal Aid Foundation, where she worked on the infamous Madrigal v. Quilligan case; becoming friends with Gloria Molina; working as the first Latina on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee (for Senator Ted Kennedy); joining the litigation team at Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), achieving several legislative victories for Latinos (including the 1982 Voters Rights Act), and later becoming President and General Counsel; her leadership style and proud achievements; recruitment and hiring by California Community Foundation and its goals for the future; CA Proposition 187; family and balance; being a Chicana feminist; the different expectations for men and women; the role of faith in her work; and finally, why activism is so important.