Deborah Mora Espinosa facts for kids

Deborah Mora Espinosa (born 1951) is an important Chicana activist from Colorado. She worked for History Colorado as the director of the El Pueblo History Museum. She has spent her life working to make things better for her community and sharing the history of Chicano people.

Deborah Mora Espinosa: A Chicana Activist

Her Early Life and School Days

Deborah Mora Espinosa was born in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1951. Her parents were Gilbert Mora-Durán and Calletana Mora-Adargo. She grew up in western Colorado. Her father worked on the D&RGW Railroad. He passed away when Deborah was 12 years old.

Facing Challenges Growing Up

Deborah's parents did not have much schooling, but they really wanted their children to get a good education. All seven of their children, three boys and four girls, finished high school. Deborah faced unfair treatment because of her family's background and her Chicano heritage. Her parents were sometimes looked down upon for speaking Spanish. When she went to elementary school, she was one of only two Mexican children there.

College and Learning

In 1969, Deborah started college at Mesa College. But she felt like she didn't fit in, so she left. In 1970, she met Juan Espinosa, who had just returned from fighting in Vietnam. They got married in 1971. Then, they moved to Boulder and both went to the University of Colorado Boulder.

Later, Deborah earned a master's degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. She was also a special student, called a Colorado Trust Fellow, during her studies there.

Fighting for Change: Her Activism

Deborah Espinosa became very active in a movement called El Movimiento. This was a big movement for civil rights and social justice for Chicano people.

Speaking Out in College

While in college, Deborah started a Chicano student newspaper called El Diario. She also helped lead a student group called the United Mexican American Students (UMAS). Through their newspaper, Deborah and Juan reported on many important events. They covered the work of leaders like Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. They also reported on the La Raza Unida Party in Texas and the Crusade for Justice with Corky Gonzalez in Denver.

Deborah and other activists challenged the University of Colorado's classes. They felt that Chicano subjects were not included enough. They also protested against unfair treatment. Deborah worked hard to support women who were mothers or working. These women often found it hard to attend UMAS meetings. She was also friends with a group known as Los Seis de Boulder.

After Juan graduated, they went to Mexico to study for six months. When they came back to the U.S., they settled in Pueblo, Colorado. They have four daughters. Deborah went back to college at the University of Southern Colorado. In 1975, she earned a bachelor's degree in history and Chicano studies.

Starting a Newspaper

In Pueblo, the Espinosas, along with David Martinez and Pablo Mora, started a newspaper called La Cucaracha. This paper focused on issues that were important to Chicano communities. It helped keep the community informed and recorded the history of El Movimiento. The newspaper ran from about 1968 to 1974 and was even run out of the Espinosa's home.

Leading a Museum

In 1988, Deborah became the director of the El Pueblo Museum. This museum is part of the Colorado Historical Society. Under her leadership, the museum moved from an old airplane hangar to a historic spot in downtown Pueblo. She also helped with city planning and the renewal of downtown Pueblo.

Sharing History

In 2015, Deborah helped create a special exhibit at the History Colorado Center in Denver. The exhibit was called "El Movimiento: The Chicano Movement in Colorado." It helped share the important history of the Chicano movement with many people.