Petra Allende facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Petra Allende
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Allende, 1944
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Petra Allende y Rosario
June 29, 1920 Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
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| Died | April 1, 2002 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Other names | Petra Rosario Allende |
| Occupation | domestic worker, factory worker, activist |
| Years active | 1937–2001 |
| Children | 5 |
Petra Allende (born June 29, 1920 – died April 1, 2002) was a brave Puerto Rican woman. She worked in factories and as a clerk. Petra was also an important activist in New York City's El Barrio neighborhood.
In the 1960s, she fought to change laws that made people pass a reading test to vote. Later, in the 1970s, she worked for better day care for moms who worked. She also helped get more support for people in need. By the 1980s, Petra focused on helping older people. People lovingly called her "La Alcaldesa del Barrio," which means "The Mayor of the Barrio." In 2012, the street where she lived in Manhattan, East 111th Street, was renamed Petra Allende Way to honor her.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Petra Allende-Rosario was born on June 29, 1920, in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her mother, Alejandrina Rosario, was a laundress. Her father, Justo Allende, was an Afro-Puerto Rican dock worker. Petra was one of five children in her family.
She went to school for eight years. In 1937, she married Santos Garay. They had a son named Juan. Petra worked as a house helper in Fajardo. After her marriage ended, she moved back home with her son. She later had another son, Felipe.
Career and Community Work
In 1949, Petra Allende moved to New York City. She took her youngest son with her. When she arrived, her promised job was already taken. Even though it was hard and she didn't speak English, Petra found work. She first made clothes in a factory. Later, she worked as a clerk at Barco Press. During this time, she had two more children, Alexandra and Pedro Rivera. She also helped raise another son, Felipe Ortiz, and a godson, Miguel Maldonado.
Fighting for Voting Rights
In 1964, Petra started working to help her community. She first worked to get rid of literacy tests. These tests made it hard for many people, especially minorities, to vote. She also helped organize English classes for people. Petra joined the Puerto Rican Community Development Project. This group worked to reduce poverty in El Barrio. She also helped start the Puerto Rican Leadership Alliance. Petra joined a women's group that helped orphans and widows. In 1966, she began working for the city in the human resources department.
Helping Families and Elders
In the 1970s, Petra became part of the Manhattan Political Caucus. She learned how to talk to lawmakers and make changes. She worked with African-American women to get good day care for working mothers. Petra also advised federal programs that fought poverty. She led the East Harlem Multiservice Center Committee. This group asked the New York City government to put all help services in one place. This made it easier for people to get the help they needed.
From 1982, Petra focused on the rights of older people. She especially helped elders from minority groups with low incomes. She was part of many groups that supported seniors. These included the Action Council for Elderly Persons and the East Harlem Interagency Council. She also volunteered at the Gaylord White Senior Citizen Center.
In 1995, Petra Allende represented New York State at a big meeting about aging. She helped create new federal laws for senior citizens. She kept helping and volunteering until she passed away. Petra received many awards for her work. She was most proud of the award from the National Latinas Caucus. In 1998, she got the New York State Certificate of Merit. In 2001, the New York City Council honored her with the Woman of Achievement Pacesetter Award.
Death and Legacy
Petra Allende died on April 1, 2002, in New York City. Her important papers are kept at the Center for the Study of Puerto Ricans at Hunter College. In 2012, East 111th Street in Manhattan was renamed Petra Allende Way. This was done to remember her and all her hard work for the community.
