Abstract
*The transcript is heavily edited. Please reference the audio as well.*
An oral history with Gloria de la Torre-Wycoff. 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 Latina activists and/or political leaders in Orange County. The interview covers De la Torre’s life, including events that lead to her becoming socially and politically involved. Specifically, her childhood in Los Angeles; her brother, John Ruben Moreno, the first Latino elected to the California state legislature; her early roles as mother and wife; re-entering college at 46, attending CSU Fullerton, and University of Southern California; her involvement with Comisión Femenil Mexicana Nacional (CFMN); being honored by President Jimmy Carter; motivation to establish Casa Victoria, a shelter for teen girls, in Whittier and the San Fernando Valley; writing her book Scarred by Scandal, Redeemed by Love: The Triumph of an Unmarried Mother, a Memoir, a personal account of her youth and complicated family history; accomplishments of her children and grandchildren; meeting her second husband; working on various political campaigns, including Gloria Molina; roles of women, and in particular, Latina activists; proud accomplishments; and finally, her continued involvement in her community with the National Organization of Women (NOW) and Mexican American Women’s National Association (MANA) of Orange County.