Alicia Escalante facts for kids

Alicia Escalante is a brave Chicana activist. She worked hard during the Chicano Movement to help her community. From 1967 to 1978, she started and led the East Los Angeles Chicana Welfare Rights Organization. This group helped people get the support they needed.

Early Life of Alicia Escalante

Alicia Escalante was born Alicia Lara in El Paso, Texas in 1933. She was the second of seven children in her family. When Alicia was young, her family faced tough times. Her mother eventually left her father.

Moving to Los Angeles

At just twelve years old, Alicia ran away to find her mother. She eventually found her in Boyle Heights, a part of East Los Angeles. Life was very difficult for the family. They barely managed to get by with some help from a program called welfare. This program provides financial aid to families in need. Alicia also had hearing loss, but a kind doctor helped her get better for free.

Alicia Escalante's Community Work

In 1967, Alicia Escalante created the East Los Angeles Chicana Welfare Rights Organization. This group focused on helping the Spanish-speaking community. They worked to make sure people received the help they were legally allowed. They also fought for new rights. These new rights included getting things translated into English. They also pushed for child care and job training programs.

Important Protests and Campaigns

Alicia was very active in many important events. In 1968, she was one of 35 people arrested during a "sit-in" at the Board of Education. This protest was to support Sal Castro, a teacher who was important to the Chicano Movement. She also joined the 1968 Poor People's Campaign. She helped organize single mothers and their children. They traveled by bus from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to speak up for their rights.

In 1969, Alicia and her children participated in a protest at Saint Basils Church. She was arrested and spent 30 days in jail for her actions. A leader named Corky Gonzales encouraged her to start a similar organization in Denver, Colorado. She worked with groups like Crusade For Justice there. Alicia also took part in the Chicano Moratoriums in 1969 and 1970. These were large protests against the Vietnam War. In 1969, she was chosen to go on a World Hunger Tour. This trip was sponsored by the Presbyterian Church.

Writing and Recognition

In 1973, Alicia Escalante wrote an essay called "A Letter from The Chicana Welfare Rights Organization." This essay was published in a journal called Encuentro Femenil. The journal's editor, Adelaida Del Castillo, said publishing Alicia's letter was a very important moment. She saw Alicia as a key figure in Chicana feminism. This is a movement that focuses on the unique experiences of Chicana women.

In the same year, Alicia was featured in a mural. The mural was created by Ruben Reyna and Mario R Gonzales at the University of Houston. It was called "The Chicano Mural." Alicia was shown alongside other important Chicano Movement leaders. These leaders included Corky Gonzales, José Ángel Gutiérrez, and Reyes Lopez Tijerina.

In 2009, the National Chicano Moratorium Committee honored Alicia Escalante. They recognized her for all her hard work and dedication.