Bernice Cross Word
douglass school marker
ESTELA PORTILLO TRAMBLEY from the TX sign
Text from Houchen Historic Marker
Text from Olga Kohlberg marker
transcript Alumni promotes video
Transcript from Leona Ford Washington video
Transcript from Maude E. Craig Sampson Williams video
transcript Louise Dietrich video
transcript Lucy Acosta video
transcript Mago's son's video
transcript McCall Center video
transcript Myrna Deckert video
Transcript of Douglass school video
Transcript of historical society video
Transcript of Nestora Piarote video
Transcript of streets named after women
transcript Sister Buffy video
transcript Woman's Club video
Women, Voting, & Dietrich
Women's history month 2021: El Paso, TX
Overview
Community volunteers in El Paso, Texas gathered existing educational resources and created new short videos to assist in integrating March as Women's History Month into educational experiences for young people in Texas.
Lucy ACOSTA, Mexican American activist, Advocate for elders
Lucy G. Acosta (1926-2008) was a Mexican American activist in El Paso, TX who worked with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Lucy served on many community boards and co-founded Project Amistad in 1976.
Primary Resources?
Secondary Resources
Texas Women's Hall of Fame DIGIE,
Wikipedia (has bibliography in references)
DIGIE (group photo)
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 1 available through UTEP Library Special Collections
Visit UTEP Library Special Collections: MS 447 Eva Ross Collection on El Paso Women in UTEP Library Special Collections
Juana Maria ASCARATE de Stephenson, pioneer landowner
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Suzie AZAR, Only female mayor of El Paso as of 2021, entrepreneur, aviatix
Suzie Azar was the first and only female mayor of El Paso,TX as of 2021. She held office from 1989 to 1991. Under her administration several environmental issues were addressed. One of her first acts as mayor was to sign paperwork to help create the Franklin Mountain State Park. Azar is also a flight instructor and a member of the women's pilot organization, the Ninety-Nines. She was inducted into the El Paso Women's Hall of Fame in 2005. Azar donated her records to UTEP Library Special Collections.
Primary Resources:
EPCC Interview video, Flight school video, DIGIE photograph
American Aviatrixes: Women with Wings
Guide to MS436 Suzanne S. Azar papers at UTEP Library Special Collections
Guide to MS348 El Paso Herald-Post Collection at Special Collections UTEP Library
MS 447 Eva Ross Collection on El Paso Women at UTEP Library Special Collections
Holden Lewis, "El Paso Mayoral Runoff Slips Into Mud," May 26, 1989, The Odessa American.
Secondary Resources:
Wikipedia, 100 Years of Women at UTEP published by Texas Western Press p. 59,
Mary Margaret Davis, "Many Events Planned for Women's History Month," El Paso Times, February 27, 1991 second page (notice anything about the picture?)
Teaching Resources:
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol.1, and Vol. 2 available thruough UTEP Library Special Collections
Children's book Queen of the Air about Katherine Stinson TX aviatrix
Children's book Queen of the Air about Katherine Stinson TX aviatrix
Alice Pierce BERRY, early social work activist
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Anita Lee BLAIR and her seeing eye dog, Fawn, State Representative, advocate for the blind
Anita Lee Blair (1916-2010) was the first blind woman elected to a state legislature in the US. She was also the first person in El Paso, TX to have a service dog. Her dog was a German shepherd named Fawn. Anita served one term in the Texas House of Representatives in 1952. Independent throughout her life,she is buried in Texas State Cemetery.
Primary resources:
UTEP Library Special Collections MS 605
Gary Scharrer, "Woman wouldn't trade life," El Paso Times, Dec 26, 1985, p. 1B.
Secondary resources:
El Paso County Historical Society has info on Anita Lee Blair
Teaching Resources:
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. II, p. 8
An Ode to Autumn by an author in the spring of her career ( Helen Keller) lesson plan from Library of Congress
Julia North BRECK, candidate for mayor
Secondary sources
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Alicia CHACON, Texas Women's Hall of Fame, Hispana Political Pathmaker,
- Alicia Chacon
- Primary Sources
- Tejano Voices, UT Arlington Center for Mexican American Studies, Oral history project 2002
- Secondary Sources
- Texas Women's Hall of Fame,
- Wikipedia,
- The Latino Encyclopedia,
- Google Maps: Location
“Chacon to get MALDEF achievement award,” El Paso Times, Sept. 13, 2013“Alicia Chacon’s National Honor,” El Paso Times, editorial, Sept. 16, 2013
Carol Viescas, “Family boosts Alicia Chacon,” El Paso Times, July 24 1975, p. 4C.
“Chacon resigns YISD seat,” El Paso Times, March 1, 1978.
“Chacon is mum,” El Paso Herald Post, July 15, 1978.
Jane Pemberton, “Chacon form mixup revealed,” El Paso Herald-Post, July 18, 1978.
Jane Pemberton, “Mrs. Chacon recertified for job,” El Paso Herald-Post 24 Aug 1978.
Tom Butler,” Hatchet job alleged,” El Paso Times, July 15, 1978.
“Alicia Chacon returning to El Paso,” El Paso Times, Mar 28 1979, p. 1A.
“Chacon, Women ‘fast catching up’, El Paso Times, May 18, 1979
“Mrs. Chacon has experience,” El Paso Times, editorial, Mar 22, 1983.
“Chacon tries for 2nd term,” El Paso Times, Jan 21, 1985.
“Alicia Medina, “Alica Chacon faces ‘Great Bureaucracy’, El Paso Times, Sept 17, 1985.
“Chacon plans Ambitious…,” El Paso Times, Ap 25, 1996, p. 1B.
Teaching Resources
- El Paso Women's History Coloring Book, Vol. I available thrugh UTEP Library Special Collections
Herlinda Wong CHEW, businesswoman, immigration expert, linguist
Herlinda Wong Chew was born in Guadalajara,Mexico. She was of Chinese and Mexican heritage. She and her husband, Antonio, opened a grocery store in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Later, that store became a place for Pancho Villa's revolutionaries to hang out. The Chews also opened a store in El Paso, TX.Digital wall at El Paso Museum of History contains photo of store. Family lived at 1912 Yandell.
On a visit to China, Herlinda met Mexican women who had been abandoned by their Chinese husbands. She was able to help some of the women and their families return to Mexico.
Primary Resorces???
Early Chinese Immigration to the U.S.
Building the First Transcontinental Railroad
Secondary Resources:
PBS program - The Chinese Exclusion Act, Handbook of Texas Online,
Digie (1935), Archivegrid, Texas Women's University
"How Women Shaped Frontier Texas" Austin American Statesman, March 29, 1996, "Heroines on Horseback," Austin American Statesman, March 29, 1996 "Chinese Chronicles" El Paso Times, February 20, 2000."The Chews," Generation XYZ: Texas Bar Journal. May 2014.
Teaching Resources:
Children's book Coolies
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book, Vol I available electronically through UTEP Library Special Collections.
Martha COTERA, Chicana feminist/writer/ librarian
Martha P. Cotera attended El Paso High School in El Paso, TX. She is a librarian, and scholar. She was influential in the Chicana Feminist movement and wrote books on the topic. Martha attended the 1977 National Women's Conference in Houston. She was the keynoter at a conference forty years later, delivering the Mc Govern Lercture to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the National Women's Conference (NWC). She was also featured in the documentary, Las Mujeres de la Caucus Chicana.
Primary Sources:
Las Mujeres Trailer: Martha Cotera
Oral History file and transcript,
Secondary Sources:
Wikipedia, Autumn Rendall, "Feminists Reunite at National Women's Conference Anniversary, "
Belle Christie CRITCHETT, suffragist, teacher, political activist
Belle Christie Ferguson Critchett (c. 1868 -1956) was an activist and a suffragist in El Paso, TX. Belle worked with the Texas Equal Suffrage Association (TESA) and also supported the temperance movement. Belle worked to include Mexican American and African American women in El Paso in the women's suffrage movment. After women earned the right to vote, Belle became president of the League of Women Voters of El Paso. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
Primary Resources,
Letter, Feb. 1,1919 from Texas State Senator R. M. Dudley to Belle C. Critchett is in UTEP Library Special Collections
UTEP Library Special Collections Finding Aid MS 386
Secondary Resources
Password, El Paso County Historical Society, Vol. 64, No. 2, El Paso, Texas,Summer, 2020. Wikipedia
Abbie Weiser, "Looking Within: Discovering Women's Organizations"
Teaching Resources
Suffrage Stratgies:Voices for Votes, National Archives lesson plans, one week
Capital Women, 4th, Complete Lesson Plan
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. II p. 12 available electronically through UTEP Library Special Collections
Myrna George DECKERT, YWCA executive, non profit administrator,
Myrna Deckert for many years oversaw the growth of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region founded in 1909. A street in east El Paso,TX is named for her. After serving as CEO of the YWCA for 32 years, Myrna continued as an executive, first with the Paso Del Norte Group, and later the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. She died in 2020. The YWCA continues to provide much needed programs, fitness opportunities, child care, housing and more.
Primary Sources
1975 Annual report Google maps
David Crowder, "El Paso icon Myrna Deckert has died," EL PASO Inc. Sept 13-19, 2020, p. 6A.
"A tribute to Myrna J. Deckert," El Paso INC, Sept 20-26, 2020.Website for YWCA El Paso, TX,
"Humble Heroine", El Paso Times, August 25, 1993"Longtime city leader Deckert dies at 83," El Paso Times Sept. 15, 2020, p. 1A & 4A
Maria Cortes Gonzalez, "Celebration of life planned for Deckert," El Paso Times, June 2, 2021: 3A
Myrna Deckert YWCA in Northeast El Paso, TX
Centennial of YWCA articles about El Paso women who supported work of Y
Secondary Sources
El Paso County Historical Society, Women Who Forged El Paso booklet
Teaching Resources Coloring Book Vol 2?
Alzina Allis Orndorff de GROFF, suffragist, businesswoman, hotelier
A. Louise DIETRICH, nurse leader, suffragist in El Paso, TX,
A. Louise Dietrich (1878-1962) came to El Paso, Texas in 1902 and stayed to help with an epidemic of typhoid fever in the city. She spent a lifetime improving nursing as a profession. She helped found a mothers' hospital and also worked as a suffragist. She started the first nurses' registry in Texas and founded the El Paso Graduate Nurse Association. She and Miss Emily Green operated the Baby Sanatarium in Cloudcroft NM for eight years. Later she was president of the Texas League of Women Voters.
Primary Sources:
"Urges Women to Vote Today," El Paso Times, August 23, 1952
Secondary Sources:
UTEP Library Special Collections Finding Aid Graduate Nurse Coll. MS 276
The Caregivers, published by Sundance Press, 1999, p. 165, 248.
History of Texas Board of Nursing
Password, El Paso County Historical Society, Vol. 64, No. 2, El Paso,Texas, Summer, 2020, p.62-63.
Digital Wall El Paso Museum of History photos of earliest Providence Hospital in El Paso
Teaching Resources:
Children's book Be a Nurse Like Me
Suffrage Strategies: Voices for Votes
Douglass Grammar & High School, Segregated, El Paso, TX Female Alumnae
El Paso, TX had a segregated public school system, and Douglass School served the African American community. Douglass Grammar and High School was built in 1891 and closed in 1920. A new Douglass school was built in 1920 and this original buildingin the Segundo Barrio was sold.
Digital Wall, Douglass High School Reunion
1941 Alums of Douglass on digie.org
Eleanor Lyon DUKE, UTEP Biology Professor
Eleanor Lyon Duke (1918-2013) was a leader in the fight for equal pay for women at the University of Texas at El Paso. The efforts to gain woman's suffrage in the US were peaking the year she was born. She was the Outstanding Ex-student of UTEP in 1971.Dr. Duke worked many years as a professor of biology at the UTEP. In 1979 Eleanor filed a lawsuit against UTEP for sex discrimination, stating that she and other female faculty were discriminated in terms of pay, promotion, and teaching opportunities. She won the suit after a lengthy legal battle. As a student, alumnae, and professor emerita she showed that she valued both justice and education. By the time she died, women in El Paso, TX and at UTEP were in key leadership positions.
Primary Resources
UTEP Library Special Collections has Finding Aid SPC Manuscripts MS 205
Adventures in Academe written by E. Duke are in her collection,
Secondary Resources
Obituary, Wikipedia, NOVA, the UTEP Magazine, 1974 ,
100 Years of Women at UTEP published by Texas Western Press, p. 48,
Teaching Resource
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. II available through UTEP Library, Special Collections
Veronica ESCOBAR, Latina Congresswoman from El Paso, TX
Veronica Escobar is the United States representative for the 16th Congressional District of Texas. Veronica previously served as a county commissioner and then County Judge in El Paso, TX. Veronica is an alumnae of the University of Texas at El Paso. She has written editorials for the New York Times.
Primary Resources
"Veronica Escobar, Sylvia Garcia are the First Texas Latinas Elected to Congress," El Paso Times, Nov 6, 2018.
Angel Kocherga, "El Paso Congresswoman recounts mob attack," KTEP, Jan 7, 2021
"Escobar easily wins," El Paso Times , Mar 7, 2017.
Letter to editor "Attacks on Veronica..." ElPaso Times, Mar 4, 2018: 6A.
Molly Smith, "Escobar leads field hearings," El Paso Times, Sept 7, 2019: 1A.
Lauren Villagran, "Escobar, Smith tour new fence," El Paso Times, Oct 9, 2019:1A
"Ex candidates sue Veronica," El Paso Times, Mar 18, 2015.
"Anti Escobar PAC fails," El Paso Times, Feb 18, 2015.
Daniel Borunda State of County speech, El Paso, Times Sept 28, 2017.
"Rep. Escobar Calls for Immigration Reform..." (January 10, 2019 video)
New York Times editorials
"Gridlock on the Rio Grande," 2013
"Why the Border Crisis is a Myth", 2014
"Questionnaire: Veronica Escobar, Candidate for Congressional District 16," El Paso Times, October 12, 2020.
"I Represent El Paso. What I'm Asking For Doesn't Include Open Borders," March 24, 2021
"Escobar's speech in favor of impeachment," El Paso Times, Dec 18, 2019.
"All Quiet on the Southern Front," guest editorial by Veronica Escobar, New York Times, Oct 5, 2011.
Eleanor Dearman, "Escobar, Armendariz-Jackson vie for US District 16," El Paso, Times, Oct 14, 2020, p. 1A & 11A.
Daniel Borunda, "Escobar: Stimulus to aid workers, families, " El Paso Times, March 17, 2020 p. 9A.
Secondary Resources
Wikipedia, bibliography in references
100 Years of Women at UTEP published by Texas Western Press, p. 72.
Teaching resources
UTEP Library, Special Collections can provide digital El Paso Women's History Coloring Book, Vol. 2
Veronica Escobar talking about the El Paso Women's History Coloring Book
Hana FARAH, Businesswoman
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
FARAH STRIKERS, Labor Activism in El Paso, TX
The Farah Strike took place between 1972 and 1974 at the Farah Manufacturing Company in El Paso, Texas. The strike first began at the San Antonio plant and was led by Chicana, Sylvia M. Trevino. The strike included more than 4,000 workers, most of whom were women. Strikers wanted better job security, benefits, better job conditions, and better pay.
Primary Sources
Civil Rights in Black and Brown, Peralta/ Farah Strike, Marin/Farah Strike (in Spanish).
"El Paso Clothing Worker Tours Area to Gather Support for Farah Strike," El Paso Times (May 15, 1973)
"Farah Strike ends after 21 months," New York Times (February 25, 1974)
Digital Wall at El Paso Museum of History downtown has photos
Secondary Sources
Handbook of Texas, Myra Zantell, "Farah, Incorporated," UTEP Library Special Collections, Chicano Vertical Files, Wikipedia, Coyle, Laurie, Gail Hershatter & Emily Honig
Women at Farah: An Unfinished Story (1979). copy available at El Paso Public Library, Border Heritage Center.
Jensen, Joan M. & Sue Davidson, A Needle, A Bobbin, A Strike (1984) Temple University Press. (availble open access from JSTOR)
El Paso County Historical Society has notes from Evan Antone's book William Farah, Industrialist
Teaching Resources
Bread and Roses Strike of 1912
"Teaching Women's History: The El Paso Laundry Strike of 1919"
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol 1 & Vol. 2 available electronically from UTEP Library Special Collections
Maria Elena FLOOD, Member TX Women's Hall of Fame
A native of El Paso, TX Maria Elena Flood worked as a health educator and served on the Texas State Board of Education. She was the Project Director for the Texas Tech Area Health Education Center and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is a member of the Texas Women's Hall of Fame.
Primary Sources
Bank of the West announces nomination
Mentioned in this oral history of Jose Manuel De La Rosa
El Paso Herald-Post collection, UTEP Library, Special Collections, MS 348,
UTEP Library, Special Collections, Eva Ross Collection on El Paso Women MS 447
Secondary Sources
Kimball, Rene. "Mother of the Year Compares America to 'Tapestry' Not 'Melting Pot' Nation." El Paso Times (May 10, 1977).
"Maria Elena Flood to Receive Teachers' Humanitarian Award." (May 26, 1985) El Paso Times.
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol.1 avalilabe through UTEP Library Special Collections.
Josephine Clardy FOX, Businesswoman, Philanthropist,
Josephine Marsalis Clardy Fox (1881-1970) was an El Paso, TX musician, businesswoman, philanthropist, and hat enthiusiast. She studied music in her youth and later invested in business. Fox Fine Arts Complex on UTEP campus is named for her. She created Fox Plaza Shopping Center. Josephine donated land for a children's home, donated land for both a school and public library. Her collection, including her many hats, is housed at in UTEP Library, Special Collections. The Fox Fine Arts building on the UTEP campus is named for her.
Primary Sources
UTEP Library Special Collections MS 139 Clardy Fox Family Papers 1880-1970
Interview 53 and 99 ScholarWork@ UTEP
Secondary Sources
Wikipedia, NOVA (1970) "Josephine Clardy Fox",
UTEP Library Special Collections Finding Aid MS Number ???
EPCC Borderlands 2011-2012, "A passionate life..." p. 5
Curlee, Kendall. "Fox, Jesephine Marsalis Clardy" Handbook of Texas Online.
Burns, Ruby. (1973) "Josephine Clardy Fox: Traveler, Opera-goer, Collector of Art, Benefactor" published by Texas Western Press
100 Years of Women at UTEP, published Texas Western Press p. 42
Clardy Fox Library, El Paso, TX , Fox Plaza Shopping Center
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book, Vol. 2.
Jeanie M. FRANK, pioneer El Paso High teacher
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Mago Orona GANDARA, Borderlands Artist
Mago Orona Gándara (1929-2018) was a Chicana artist who created murals and sculptures throughout Ciudad Juarez and El Paso. Manuel Acosta painted her portrait.
Primary Resources
Mago Orona Gandara collection MS 584 at UTEP Library Special Collections
Secondary Resources
Wikipedia, bibliography in references
Olvera, Joe. "The Hispana Artist." (January 14, 1990) El Paso Times.
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 1 available from UTEP Library Special Collections
Mimi Reisel GLADSTEIN, Professor,Author, Activist
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Betty Mary Smith GOETTING, librarian, women's health advocate
Primary Sources
Betty Mary Smith Goetting Papers
Secondary Sources
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Gertrude Amelia "Sugar" GOODMAN, Humanitarian
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Nancy HAMILTON, Writer, Journalist,Art Collector,
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Jennifer HAN, businesswoman, athlete
Secondary Sources
Aguilar, Matthew. (September 4, 2021) "Han Has Mama Power." El Paso Times.
Polly HARRIS, City Representative, El Paso, TX, advocate for elderly
Polly Harris (1924-1987) was a well known co-owner of a public relations firm in El Paso, TX. She was known as a civic volunteer, actress, politician. Polly was beloved in the community and advocated for elders in the community. A senior center on El Paso's westside is named for her. Polly was a City Council representative. She is buried in the Jewish section of Concordia Cemetery.
Primary Resources
Special Collections UTEP Library El Paso- Herald-Post collection MS 348
Secondary Resources
Wikipedia, Polly Harris obituary, Google Maps Polly Harris Senior Center
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. II available electronically from UTEP Library Special Collections
Ingeborg HEUSER, Ballet Director
Ingeborg Heuser taught and directed the ballet program at University of Texas at El Paso for many years. She taught ballet at her own studio and also at various private schools including Loretto Academy.
UTEP Library Special Collections has info on fine arts programs at that university.
Primary Sources
Guide to MS632 UTEP Ballet Research files
"Ingeborg Heuser's Final Nutcracker," El Paso Times, Dec 24, 2006, p. 59
Secondary Sources
Wikipedia, For the Love of Dance, by Christina Casas Palmer, 2016
100 Years of Women at UTEP, published byTexas Western Press, p. 45
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 1 available free from UTEP Library, Special Collections
HOUCHEN SETTLEMENT HOUSE in Segundo Barrio of El Paso, TX
Houchen Community Center was opened in 1912 as a Settlement House. The Houchen Settlement House provided daycare, education, and health services to the Segundo Barrio in El Paso, TX for many years.
Secondary Resources
Settlement Houses in the Progressive Era
The Rose Gregor Settlement House
Vicki L. Ruiz, "Dead Ends or Gold Mines?" Frontiers, 12:1, (1991)
Maud ISAACKs- Texas State Representative
Handbook of Texas
Wikipedia?
Davie JOHNSON, Nurse, advocate of elder care
Wikipedia? El paso Women's Hall of Fame?
Elizabeth Hooks KELLY, librarian, community volunteer
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Several photos of Miss Kelly at various ages are on the digital wall of El Paso Museum of History including one of her father the mayor with his family.
Ruth Ellen KERN, Lawyer, Civil Rights Activist in El Paso, TX
Ruth Ellen Kern (1914-2002) was a pioneer feminist lawyer in El Paso, TX.Ruth was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and she helped lead reforms to rebuild the El Paso County jail. She was a founding and active member of the El Paso Women's Political Caucus. She also worked to prevent violence against women. She herself was raped. She was elected to the board of El Paso Community College.
Primary Sources
Eva Ross El Paso Women's History Collection MS 447 housed at UTEP Library Special Collections provides info on El Paso Women's Political Caucus
Secondary Sources
Aschoff, Susan. "Ruth Kern Replaced Domesticity With Outspokenness" El Paso Times, September 10, 1978.
Rogers, Liz, "El Paso Women Lawyers/The Pioneers," El Paso Bar Journal, Nov 2008, 7-10.
Karr, Stephanie. "Honoring Visionary Women," El Paso Times, March 25, 2017.
Teaching Resources
Brad Meltzer I Am Sonia Sotomayor,
Susan E. Goodman, The First Step,
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. II, p. 20
Ginger KERRICK Davis, Texas Women's Hall of Fame, NASA flight director
Ginger Kerrick Davis is a member of the Texas Women's Hall of Fame.She is a physicist who works for NASA in Houston. She was the first Hispanic female flight director there. Once a promising local athlete, Ginger changed her career plans after a serious injury. She was a science student at UTEP and Texas Tech. Ginger was honored as Grand Marshall of the Sun Bowl Parade. She married in 2020. Governor Greg Abbott recently appointed her to the Board of Regents at Texas Tech in Lubbock.
Secondary Resources
Texas Women's Hall of Fame, Wikipedia, NASA
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book ,Vol. 2. p. 21
Angela KOCHERGA, Journalist
Angela Kocherga is a journalist who works as the news director at KTEP and Borderzine. She also works with El Paso Matters, and has won Emmys for her work.
Angel Kocherga, "El Paso Congresswoman recounts mob attack" KTEP, Jan 7, 2021
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2, p. 22 available through Scholarswork UTEP Library Special Collections
Yolanda Chavez LEYVA, Public Historian, Educator/ Poet
Yolanda Chavez Leyva is a Professor in Dept. of History at University of TX at El Paso, and Director Institute of Oral History there. She studies, lives, transmitts Chicano history. She worked persistently to defend historic areas of El Paso, TX.
Primary Source
Secondary Sources
100 Years of Women at UTEP published by Texas Western Press
UTEP Library Special Collections, Institute of Oral History holdings MS 327
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2 available through UTEP Library Special Collections
Adair MARGO, Arts and Humanities Advocate,
Adair Margo is a third-generation El Pasoan. She is a supporter of the arts in El Paso and the state of Texas. She is close friends with former first lady Laura Bush. Adair founded the Tom Lea Institute in 2009. She received an award for cultural diplomacy from Mexico. She has helped politicians at the national, state, and local level.
Primary Resources
UTEP Library Special Collections, Margo (Adair) Gallery Collection MS 646
Records of President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (2000-2008)
Secondary Sources
El Paso County Historical Society Hall of Fame tribute
"Digital wall is a gift," El Paso Times, 5.17, 2020 p.7A
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2 available through UTEP Library Special Collections
Susan Shelby MAGOFFIN, Pioneer traveler, diarist
The statue of Susan Shelby Magoffin is at Keystone Heritage Park.
Secondary Sources
Damico, Denise. Magoffin, Susan Shelby
Simmons, Marc. (November 29, 1992) "1992: Magoffins Helped Shape Early Southwest." El Paso Times.
Olalee Mc CALL, Mc Call Neighborhood Center
The McCall Center in the historic Five Points area of El Paso, TX is the vibrant, resource-rich, gathering place for African Americans and other El Paso cititzens. Created under the effective leadership of Leona Ford Washington, the McCall Center has provided meeting space, entertainment, and education about the African American citizens of El Paso. A key section of the building was the home of Olalee and her husband.
African Americans in El Paso by Frances Hill
Nancy Jane Mc DONALD, State Representative, Icon of Texas Nursing
Nancy Jane McDonald (1934-2007) was Texas State Representative for District 76 in the Mission Valley area of El Paso, Texas. She was a nurse and the mother of a large family. Nancy was the only registered nurse in the Texas legislature at the time and helped make reforms in public health during the AIDS crisis. She is buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, TX.
Primary Resources
HR 2805, Memorial Resolution, 80th Texas Legislature
Secondary Resources
Nancy Mc Donald, Icon of Texas Nursing
UTEP Library Special Collections has photos and other info in MS 348 El Paso Herald-Post collection and in Eva Ross collection on El Paso Women
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2, available through UTEP Library Special Collections
Florence Cathcart MELBY
Primary Sources Oral History Scholarswork UTEP Library
Secondary Sources
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Mary Schuster MEYER
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Pat MORA, Poet, Literacy advocate, Author,
Pat Mora is an American poet who has supported lifelong literacy among children and adults. She graduated from Loretto Academy in El Paso TX. Mentored by Diana Natalicio she held various positions at the UTEP. She has received national awards for her writing. She created El día de los niños, El día de los libros in 1996.
Primary Resources
Book Hungry Hands Wikipedia
Video interview on readingrockets
Secondary Resources
100 Years of Women at UTEP published by Texas Western Press
Books
Tomas and the Library Lady, Open Mind Story Time
A Library for Juana
Dizzy in My Eyes
Book Joy, Word Joy
Drawing Inferences; My Own True Name
Teaching Resources
Annenberg Learner, the Expanding Cannon, Pat Mora and James Welch
Esperanza Acosta MORENO, Librarian
Esperanza Acosta Moreno was the first Hispanic person to work as a librarian at the University of Texas At El Paso. As a student, she worked her way through Texas Western College. She participated in Golddiggers. She served as librarian to UTEP Nursing School. She worked with the nursing collection and rare books. A library branch of the El Paso Public Library system is named for her.
Primary Resources
UTEP Library Special Collections has her collection MS 089
Secondary Sources
El Paso Times 2000
Diamond Days, UTEP Oral History published by Texas Western Press available through UTEP Library Special Collections
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2. p. 28 available electronically through UTEP Library Special Collections
Diana NATALICIO, President Emerita, University of Texas at El Paso
Diana Natalacio (born 1939) was the first woman to serve as president of th University of Texas at El Paso. Between her presidency from 1988 to 2006, she worked to recruit more Hispanic students to the school. In 2013 she became the president of the board of directors of the American Council on Education. Dr. Natalicio is a member of the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. She died Sept. 24, 2021 .
Secondary Sources
TIME Magazine, Texas Women's Hall of Fame,
Cristina Carreon, "UTEP bids final farwell to Diana Natalicio," El Paso Times, Oct 26,2021, 1A & 9A.
El Paso County Historical Society, Women Who Forged El Paso History
100 Years of Women at UTEP, p. 68-69 Texas Western Press ISBN-10:0-87404-306-9
UTEP Special Collections MS 348 and asks for more resources MS 001
Google Maps to UTEP admin bldg
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book, Vol. I
Sandra Day O'CONNOR, Supreme Court Justice, Alumnae Radford School for Girls
Lupe ONTIVEROS, Actress
Wikipedia
Jane Burges PERRENOT, Philanthropist, Library advocate
Jane Burges Perrenot was a philanthropist who was active in helping the community in many different ways. She donated land and funds to the El Paso Public Library. After her death, her home was donated to the El Paso Historical Society.
Digie: Perrenot
UTEP Library Special Collections: MS 262 Burges-Perrenot Family Papers
El Paso Historical Society: Website and Google maps
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Nestora Granillo PIAROTE, Ysleta Del Sur Foremother/Potter
Nestora Granillo Piarote (1849 - 1918) was a member of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe in El Paso, Texas. She was born just after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that changed law dramatically for women in Southwest USA. Nestora was a potter and helped preserve the Tigua language.
Google Map: location
Daniel Borunda, "$10,000 reward offered to solve Columbus Day vandalism," El Paso Times, Oct 13, 2017.
UTEP Library Special Collections has some materials on Tigua tribe
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book volume II (2020) also available from UTEP Library Special Collections.
Mother PRAXEDES/Loretto Academy, Catholic Girls' School
Mother Praxedes (born Susan Carty 1854-1933) was a member of the Sisters of Loretto and an educator. She helped build many schools in the United States and served as the leader of the Sisters of Loretto for many years. In the 1920s, she started building Loretto Academy in El Paso.
Archives of Loretto Community, Nerinx Kentucky
Biography by Patricia Manion, Only One Heart
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Belen ROBLES, First Female LULAC President
A graduate of Bowie High, Belen Robles was the first woman to be elected as national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Belen also worked in the Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Customs.
Primary Sources
UTEP Library Special Collections has her photos.
Interview no. 222 ScholarWorks@UTEP
Letter from Belen Robles to John L. Herrera,
Secondary Sources
Digital Wall El Paso Museum of History
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2 available electronically from UTEP Library Special Collections
Mary A. SARBER, Librarian
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
See El Paso INC. a business weekly, Oct 7, 2012
Louise SCHUESSLER
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Eugenia M. SCHUSTER, clubwoman, activist, Amigo Listo
Maxine SILVA, education advocate
Maxine Silva obit
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Kathleen STAUDT, professor, researcher, & writer about Borderlands politics
Kathleen Staudt is a professor emerita of UTEP. She is a former Peace Corp Volunteer. Kathleen is an expert on the borderland, and taught classes on policy, politics, and more. She is a writer and editor.
Primary Source
Secondary Primary Sources
Special Collections at UTEP Library houses Staudt collection
SECONDARY Sources
100 Years of Women at UTEP, Texas Western Press, p. 81
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2, p.31 available through UTEP Library Special Collections
Katherine Kistenmacher, Artist, Women's Hall of Fame
Wikipedia
Member El Paso Women's Hall of Fame
STREETS named for women in El Paso, TX , videos, Davie Johnson, Peggy Rosson and more
This is the answer key to the Word Search.
- Alicia Chacon
- The Latino Encyclopedia
- Texas Women's Hall of Fame
- Wikipedia
- El Paso Women's History Coloring Book, Vol. I available thrugh UTEP Library Special Collections
- Google Maps: Location
- Myrna Deckert
- Google Maps: Location
- Marta Duron, civil servant, Bowie High alumnae
- Peggy Rosson
- Legislative Reference
- "Hobby Favors El Pasoan," El Paso Times, Feb 11, 1983.
- Ron Duser, "Awaiting Her Turn," El Paso Times, Aug,7,1986.
- David Crowder, "Tati's Accusations are Lies," El Paso Times, Feb, 7 1990.
- David Sheppard, Newly Elected El Pasoans..."El Paso Times, Nov. 12, 1990.
- Gary Scharrer, "Rosson Rips in Senate Speech," El Paso Times, May 29, 1993.
- Gary Scharrer, "Rosson to depart," El Paso Times, Aug. 22.1995: 1A.
- El Paso Women's History Coloring Book, Vol I
- Google Maps: Location
- Romy Ledesma
- Rosa Guerrero
- Texas Archive of the Moving Image
- Texas Women's Hall of Fame
- Wikipedia
- Google Maps: Location
- El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
- A. L. Gill
- Google Maps: Location
- Olga Mapula
- Google Maps: Location
- Lupe Rivera
- El Paso Women's Coloring Book, Vol I available electronically from UTEP Library Special Collections
- Google Maps: Location
- Cynthia Farah
- Wikipedia
- Colors on Desert Walls
- Cynthia Farah Haines papers (CA)
- Cynthia Farah Haines papers (Stanford)
- Cynthia Farah Haines papers (UTEP Library Special Collections MS319)
- Oral History 1975
- Oral History 2007
- El Paso Women's Coloring Book, Vol II
- Google Maps: Location
- Davie Johnson
- Google Maps: Location
Lucinda de Leftwich TEMPLIN and Radford School
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Josefina Villamil TINAJERO, Bilingual Education Advocate, El Paso Women's Hall of Fame.
Wikipedia,
Maud Durlin SULLIVAN, librarian
Estela Portillo TRAMBLEY, Chicana playwright, poet
Estella Portillo Trambley was a Chicana writer. Estella wrote poetry, short stories, novels, and plays. She was the first Chicana to publish her own book of short stories, and her work is about social criticism and feminism.
Primary Sources
Estela Portillo Trambley Papers
Molinar, Victoria G. "Who Was Estela Portillo Trambley?" (March 5, 2018) El Paso Inc.
"Chicano theatre plans Isabel...," El Paso Herald-Post, May20, 1977, p. 48
"Styles of Hispanic Playwrights..." Los Angeles Times. July 9, 1987 (second page)
Secondary Sources
Teaching Resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol 1 available through UTEP Library Special Collections
Diana Washington VALDEZ, Journalist of Borderlands
Diana Washington Valez is an El Paso native who went on to become a journalist. Her work on reporting the missing and murdered women of Juarez went on to become books.
Primary sources
Diana Washington Valdez, "Running in Mexico's midterm election meant risking your life," El Paso Times, Suday June 3,2021: 9A.
Articles by her in El Paso Times
Books written by her:
- The Killing Fields (2006)
- Harvest of Women (2006)
Secondary Sources
Teaching resources
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2 p. 33
Leona Ford WASHINGTON, Teacher, Civic leader
Leona Ford Washington (1928-2007) was an African American community activist and educator. She taught for around 39 years and wrote the song, "The City of El Paso." She also owned a newspaper that covered the Black community in El Paso, The Good Neighbor.
My People Chance to Dwell: Oral Histories, Black Classic Press .
UTEP Library Special Collections has her collection PHO 38 They also produced resource below.
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2, p. 34
Obit El Paso Times, 2007?
_________________
Janice Wood WINDLE Wikipedia, Texas Monthly
"Tribute to Janice Wood Windle," Password, El Paso County Historical Society, Vol. 64, No. 4, El Paso. Texas, Winter, 2020, p. 130.
Mabel Clair WELCH, architect
Secondary Sources
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Bernice Love WIGGINS, Poet
Bernice Love Wiggins (1897-1936) was an African American poet who wrote during the Harlem Renaissance. She was a student at the segregated Douglass High see section above. Wiggins was raised by her aunt in El Paso and later moved to Los Angeles in the 1920s. Her poetry covered civil rights issues and women's rights issues.
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol. 2, p. 35 available electronically from UTEP Library Special Collections
Maud E. Craig Sampson WILLIAMS ,suffragist, teacher, NAACP activist
Maud Evangeline Craig Sampson Williams (1880-1958) was a civil rights activist, educator, and suffragist. As a suffragist, Maude worked with both white and Black women in El Paso. Maude founded the Parent's Organization at Douglass School. She also was one of the founders of El Paso's Phyllis Wheatley Club. Maude was elected to the NAACP board in El Paso and challenged segregation in UTEP.
Secondary Resources
Password of El Paso County Historical Society published article by Janine Young, "Alive to the Priviledge of the Franchise: African American Suffragists in El Paso 1915-1920," Password, Volume 64, No. 2, El Paso, Texas, Summer 2020 p.66-81.
My People Chance to Dwell: Oral Histories, Black Classic Press 2000
Janice Woods WINDLE, Author, Community Foundation executive, Civic leader
Janice Woods Windle (born Sept 2, 1938) grew up in Seguin, Texas and moved to El Paso, TX. Janice attended UTEP and is inducted into El Paso Women's Hall of Fame. Her writing is based on Texas women from her own family's history.
Trailer for True Women (1997 miniseries)
"AAUW Names Outstanding El Paso Women for 1975" (September 12, 1975) El Paso Times.
Heather Coons, "Windle's Legacy Continues in El Paso," City Beat Magazine, March-April 2015.
Neal Templin, "Windle Wins Over Donations," El Paso Times, June 23, 1988.
Gary Scharrer, "Author Plans 'Women' Sequel," El Paso Times, February 9, 1995: D1.
Dingus, Anne, (1996) "West Seller." Texas Monthly.
Coco Ballew "El Paso Author's Book Finally Makes it to TV," El Paso Times, May 18, 1997: F1.
Coco Ballew, "Windle's 'Hill Country' to Hit Bookshelves," El Paso Times, May 18, 1997: F2.
Maribel Villabos, "Novelist's Third Book Tells Story of Grandfather's Trial," El Paso Times, February 17, 2002.
"Windles Say Pay from El Paso Public Record," El Paso Times, March 24, 1977.
Florida J. WOLFE, Cattle Rancher, Philanthropist
African American woman know as "Lady Flo" buried in Concordia Cemetery. Lady Flo was the common law wife of an Irish Lord, Delaval James Beresford. Because it was illegal for them to live together in segregated Texas, they lived in Ciudad Juarez. Lady Flo was also a philathropist who raised money for the El Paso Fire and Police Departments.
WOMAN's CLUB of El Paso, TX and Olga Kohlberg
The Woman's Club of El Paso was the first woman's club in Texas. Many prominent women living in El Paso, Texas were involved, including Olga Kohlberg, Eugenia Schuster, and many more.
Wikipedia page: Woman's Club of El Paso
Google maps: Location
UTEP Library Special Collections Digitized Archives of the Woman's Club of El Paso MS 476 & more: Archives
Kohlberg family papers at UTEP
El Paso County Historical Society Women Who Forged El Paso (Draft)
Fanny Hutman ZLABOVSKY, Jewish Humanitarian
Fanny Hutman Zlabovsky moved to El Paso after marrying Frank Zlabovsky in 1902. Fanny Zlabovsky worked for the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) in El Paso. She helped immigrants escape the Nazis by entering the US from Mexico. She is buried in the well tended green Jewish section of Concordia Cemetery in El Paso, TX.
See National Geographic Kids Miep Gies
El Paso Women's History Coloring Book Vol 2, p. 36
Special Collections at UTEP Library has collection of El Paso Council of Jewish Women
Fanny Zlabovsky-National Council of Jewish Women case files MS508