My first major political action, I mean major action, was when I began to organize independent gas station owners, auto repair shop owners, body paint shop owners, and inspection station owners in December of 1990. Earlier that summer, I had fulfilled my father’s dream of owning and running his own gas station, by putting together a business deal that retired him from truck driving forever.
After dropping out of UT, I was living in Austin, working for a builder and learning the real estate business during the boom. My Dad called to tell me he had seen the gas station at Trowbridge and Clark for sale and if I could come home to look into it for him. I did. Two months later, we were at the closing table of the deal that I had structured. We became NCN Texaco, for Norman, Connie and Norma. I realized at the closing table, when the ink of my Dad’s pen was drying, that I had just moved back home.
We closed the deal on August 10, 1990, my parents wedding anniversary, and went from the closing table to the gas station. We each took tasks in our new business venture. My Mom was the most experienced in the business, as she had been a bookkeeper for service stations at Ft. Bliss. My Dad, was the work horse, working from 7 am to 7 pm, and I was in charge of marketing and regulations. We became an official state of Texas inspection station, and it is at the Texas Department of Public Safety office, (where I was buying inspection stickers), that I read an industry magazine that was talking about the federal effort and legislation under the 1990 Clean Air Act, to centralize emission testing in non-compliant air emission states.
Part of the business proforma I had done for my Dad regarding cash flow, included the net income from safety and emission testing. I was shocked to learn that the feds, were going to take that business from independent small stations and replace it with a federal program run by one contractor for the entire nation. And so, there is where my organizing and political footsteps begin.
I became “Jenny from the Block” goes to Washington and Austin, and became a part of a national coalition of independent station owners in non-compliant air quality cities across the nation, fighting the feds and federal regulations that wanted to basically create a monopoly for one company, with no proven data or record that it would improve air quality. In order to get the word out to the other independent inspection station businesses, I followed the major arteries of the city and went door to door, stopping at their business, asking to speak to the owner, trying to get them to listen to me. I quickly discovered that the auto repair industry in El Paso, was dominated by Latino small businesses. It made sense. Some of these guys went from being tire changers, or service station attendants (there were still old fashion service stations in the 90’s) to being owners of their own business.
As independent Latino business owners, there was an initial reluctance to believe a young Latina, telling them their business was in jeopardy of losing safety and emission testing because I read it somewhere. It was tough trying to get their attention. They would smile, and take my handout, and would usually say something like “we’ll call you, gracias”. This occurred over and over until I met the man who I would nickname, “The Godfather”.
Art Gandara, had an inspection station and body shop in Central El Paso. He had a nice, neat, long sleeve white shirt (in a body shop), his famous suspenders holding up his pants, and an embroidered patch with his name “Art”. Up until that point, I was ready to give up, because the men I had spoken to, didn’t take me serious, or were suspicious of me, especially since they knew my Dad had just bought the business, and that we were new to the industry. But Art was different, he listened, read what I gave him, and started asking me questions “who told you this, and where did you get that”. What he recognized is that what I was saying was for real. This was a federal regulation that was going to impact him and the rest of the guys he knew who started their business from the ground up. He asked me who I had spoken to, and what had they said, and I shared how most of the men really didn’t say much. And so, with me sitting in front of him, he started calling the “guys”. I’ll never forget his words “Ese, Louie, it’s Art, te voy a mandar una “jainita” que necesita hablar contigo y tu hermano” (for the Spanish impaired, he told two brothers that owned a Shell station on Mesa, that he was sending me to talk to him and his brother).
That moment became the first organizing step of the station owners in El Paso, and what eventually took me to the Texas Legislature and from then on and to this date, I refer to him as “the Godfather” (because it was like the movie, once he said I was the real deal, the doors opened).
I bring this personal experience, as a tie into a topic of the importance of community based leadership and organizing. Because in my instance, the situation, and federal regulation had created an opportunity to ORGANIZE and to challenge the policies of our government by providing public testimony to the EPA, and Texas Air Control Board, and by fighting for what was right…petitioning our government with these Latino majority owned business owners and their customers! The story continues, but in the end we won the federal issue, and when this monopoly tried to pass legislation to implement the program at a state by state level, we beat them in Texas after three legislative sessions and passed the Texas Clean Air Act in 1995.
To make a long story short, I went from serving as a citizen activist and advocate for clean air in 1995, to running for state representative in 1996, to being sworn into office in 1997. Jenny from the Block had made it to the halls of the Capitol with the help of a bunch of independent gas station, and inspection station small business owners.
This served as one of the foundation blocks of my leadership roots in El Paso, community based organizing of Latino owned business in the inspection and auto repair industry. There are so many stories and so many things developed out of organizing these, mostly men in the El Paso auto repair industry, that I can share later as we take this blog journey.
And so “ Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce” or “12 in 2012” are my picks of up and coming community based leaders that are making an impact in our community. They are selected not because they are friends or associates, but because they are visible, and I have watched them in action. The great majority are not from the halls of public policy think tanks or institutes, nor from privileged homes or private schools, they are from public schools (most of them), most attended or attend UTEP, most are doing some form of organizing and or have done, all of them are independent thinkers, challengers, believers in El Paso, and none are controlled by any political faction nor the power elites.
They are ‘Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce” because thy are demonstrating leadership by engaging in social political activism and public participation at a community based level. And so, my “blog post Numero Uno” is simply, “Los Doce en Dos Mile Doce” or “THE 12 in 2012”.
Blog post Numero 1: “Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce”
Arlina Palacios: A Mid Valley resident, mother of two, she is a “legacy” leader. She is the granddaughter of political activist and EPISO leader Maggie Martinez. Martinez was one of the fearless women leaders in the era of Teddy Trujillo who participated in the most intense organizing EPISO has ever done, under the legendary Sister Mary Beth Larkin, Lead Organizer. As a young girl growing up, she lived the fights, she witnessed the coordination of power meetings with federal, state, and local elected officials, and participated as a young adolescent, standing with her grandmother and other strong willed “Adelitas” as they petitioned their government for basic infrastructure needs such as water. She is completing her Bachelors Degree in History at UTEP, has begun a series of interviews with residents in the Colonias on their struggle, she participates in public meetings, particularly in the Valley, has a deep knowledge of water issues and is an advocate to preserve the neighborhood around the proposed international bridge at Yarbrough. She is a natural leader, a tough young advocate, not afraid to ask questions.
Nubia Legarda (aka Aporia Euphoria): Is a student at UTEP, studying English and Literature, Nubia has become one of the leaders of Occupy El Paso and the Occupy Movement. She participates and helps coordinate teach-in’s to educate people on various public issues, participates and helps coordinate marches, protests, demonstrations, and attends City Council meetings, volunteers at the farm workers center, and is willing to lend support on social issues. She is the only female arrested among the “Occupy El Paso Siete”, because she believes in her right to petition her government and to stand up to the 1% controlling the economy and government. She is fully bilingual and quite eloquent public speaker and motivator!
Anessa Anchondo Rivera: graduate of UTEP in Women Studies and Anthropology, she is working on her Masters in Sociology and Public Health, and member of a social arts collective “Movimiento Hunab Ku”, and assisted with the organizing of “Del Corazon Film Festival” and “Borde Manifiesto”. She is one of the “Occupy El Paso” leaders, has natural organizing skills, is a primary organizer of the Occupy El Paso tent city at the Plazita, (with a cross section of leaders), she has been a leader in coordinating the Occupy food bank, General Assemblies, raising bail for civil disobedience activists, and is a young woman in motion. Anessa has demonstrated community conscious awareness, most passionately assisting with the coordination of a farmworker “tamalada”, and she does her community activism without seeking self promotion or recognition.
Gris Munoz: A performance artist and Chicana poet, born and raised in the Lower Valley and moving up the higher education ladder, she attended Del Valle, EPCC, and is working on her Bachelor of Arts at UTEP. She has worked for La Mujer Obrera and interned in the office of a local politician. She has a broad based creative arts repertoire, will be featured in an upcoming movie, has produced her own one-woman- show, is a poet mixing social political issues in her poetry, and is exploring and adding comedy to her creative arts performance. She is a performance art community activist, willing to use her creative art form to push people to vote, and to encourage civic participation at all levels including marches, rallies, pickets, and demonstrations. She uses her gift of performance for creativity and for political activism. She states “art is a continuous conversation with the world, past and present”.
Mary Gonzalez: Of the “Volver Volver” Pack. She’s back! The young Latina is a rising star from Clint, Texas and the only political candidate on this list because she deserves to be! She left El Paso to pursue her higher education goals and comes home with community based leadership credentials. A Democrat, Mary interned with former State Representative Paul Moreno and most recently left the congressional campaign of State Representative Joaquin Castro. She has a Bachelors degree in History and Mexican American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters in Social Justice from St. Edwards University, and is completing her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at UT Austin. An NHI alum, she has been recognized by mylatinovoice.com as the “Hot 25 under 25” most influential young Latinos in the country and in “Latino Leaders Magazine” and the National Latino Fraternal Organization recognized her as a “2010 Rising Professional”. “Y volver, volver, volver, a tu comunidad otra vez” and she has!
Albert Alvidrez: Is the well respected, former Governor of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo serving 9 years in office starting as a Council Member elected in 1994. He was elected Governor of the tribe for multiple terms, and holds the record for serving as the youngest Native American to serve as Governor, of a federally recognized tribe in the United States. He is recognized as a fair and willing to compromise, leads with integrity, fiercely loyal, calculated, driven, and creative. As President of the Ysleta Education Foundation he has coordinated fundraisers to raise thousands of dollars for scholarships. He is an accomplished artist, painting on canvass, pottery, post cards, whatever he can find to paint on, as a way to preserve and share his Native American Pueblo traditions. No longer in office with the Pueblo, he continues to lead and participate with all facets of tribal life, is a loyal Democrat and loyal to the principles and proactive activities of the Democratic Party.
Mario Olivares: Is a tireless young social justice activist who has taken a leadership role in “Occupy El Paso” and the “Occupy Movement”. He is a student at UTEP studying Economics because he says “we need new models”. He is a graduate of Sunset High School, graduating in the top 10%, he was the recipient of Simon Youth Foundation and LULAC scholarships and is the Treasurer of UTEP MEChA. He is a natural leader, organizer, and public speaker. He is a uniter and coordinator of the Occupy El Paso agenda with Occupy leadership, attending public meetings, organizing General Assemblies, public events, marches, public action and is part of the Sin Fronteras Leadership Institute. This young leader has demonstrated a solid social justice conscience and understanding of Border issues and is one to watch. He is one of the “Occupy El Paso Siete” arrested for civil disobedience, for exercising his civil right to assembly, while standing for social justice.
Alejandro “Alex” Guzman: Is a Democratic political activist and Gay Rights Advocate. No issue is too small or large for “Alex” to tackle. Fiercely loyal, he fights for his beliefs and the Democratic Party leaders he believes in. He is an accountant working on his Masters of Accountancy at New Mexico State University, and has earned his political stripes helping Democrats including President Obama, Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Joe Moody, Bill White, the Unity Campaign and others. He is a founding member of the El Paso Young Democrats, and is a member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), former member of “Adelante” and worked hand-in-hand with Congressman Reyes’ staff to enlist support from El Paso for the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Bill and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. A social political activist, the Gay community and Democratic Party are fortunate to have such a stalwart leader and man to support their platform.
Kiko Rodriguez: A social political musician and activist, Kiko is the frontman of various bands with roots in the Borderlands, including Fuga Del Chuco and his latest band “Frontera Bugalu”. He is the son of political activists Guillermo Glen and Cecilia Rodriguez (two legendary activists who have participated in organizing in El Paso and Mexico and with personal relationships with “Marcos” and the Zaptista Movement). He has helped NAFTA displaced workers, participated in dozens of marches, demonstrations, picket lines, protests and all forms of public action and has utilized the arts and music as tools of the “movimiento”. His unique and important life experiences contribute to his philosophy of being loyal to the original border sounds. He is an accordion player, and dedicated musician fronting “Frontera Bugalu” and bringing the true sounds of “bugalu” with a border flair to the airwaves, internet and to live audiences. Kiko and “Frontera Bugalu” have incredible stage presence. This is a band to watch. Kiko is a musician to admire!
Carlos “Carlo” Mendoza (aka Carlo Mendo): An activist, business entrepreneur, event coordinator, community organizer, artist, musician, “Lagaratista”, Carlo is a social political leader and successful Downtown young businessman who helped with the “Keep Los Lagartos at the Plazita de Los Lagartos” campaign. A graduate of UTEP, he has opened the doors with his business partners at the “Loft Light” for thriving artists, jewelry designers, graphic artists, film projects, clothing designers, and highlights up and coming bands and DJ’s with his loft space (comparable to one you would see in Chicago or New York). He has produced successful fashion shows showcasing local designers, provides a successful monthly artist market for regional artists called mARTket, is behind the establishment of a community garden in Segundo Barrio, and is one of the youngest Board Members of the Central Business Association. Expect to hear big things of Carlos “Carlo” Mendoza in “dos mil doce”.
Joeseph Villescas: Stepped into the big leagues as one of the political research consultants for Congressman Silvestre Reyes. The young professor, and media relations consultant is a graduate of Cathedral High School, has a Bachelors in American Studies from Wesleyan University, and a PhD in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Texas at Austin. He unsuccessfully ran for City Council after being promised help, moved forward, and continued his work with the National Hispanic Institute, a Latino leadership development organization. He is working side by side with local media guru Morris Pittle, of Two Ton Creativity, where he is guaranteed to get his "big huaraches" when the Congressman wins his 9th term. The experience will be invaluable to all his future political projects and aspirations!
Hector H. Lopez: Is a man with a vision. Don’t doubt this. He is solid in his role as Senior Vice President of Community and International Relations at the National Hispanic Institute(NHI) an organization dedicated to serving the future leadership needs of the global Hispanic community. NHI, founded in 1979 touts over 85,000 alumni globally, is not a civil rights organization but a leadership organization focused on building international networks for Hispanic leaders. A close colleague and ally of Villescas, he is also a graduate of Cathedral, has a Bachelors in International Law, Ethics and Latin American Studies from Georgetown University, and a Masters of Art in Strategic Communication from Villanova University. He produced a radio talk show “El Paso for America with Hector H. Lopez”. When the station closed all local talk radio, he continued and produced an internet based show of the same name. He hosts and co-produces “Fronteras Desk”. Hector considered a run for the legislature but when it was not right for he and his wife, he recruited and is helping Mary Gonzalez, (also an NHI alumni), demonstrating the leadership network of NHI.
“Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce!!
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At the request of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Frontera Bugalu will be
the featured musical group to perform at the official World Premiere film “after
party”. The “fiesta” will be at Sol y La
Luna restaurant, owned by the amazing Nilda De La Llata, who will also be
hosting the “Launch Party for Viva Latino” later in the week (with special
performance by Patricia Vonne – sister of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez). If you are in Austin, you just gotta be there
to grasp all the energy this band produces.
You will find yourself toe tapping, hips swaying from left to right in a
rumbia motion, then “cha, cha, cha” and before
you know it you are “boogaloo dancing” the night away!! You won’t regret going!
