The first wave of Mexican women was in the early 20th Century, however it is known that Mexican women had been migrating beforehand.  Women escaped poverty, violence, etc. and found refuge in America with hopes of a better living situation.  Many did not find this prosperous America, instead they faced discrimination, racism and marginalization.

Jesusita Torres, was a child when her mother began packing their belongings to run away.  Jesusita was told to keep her mouth shut.  Jesusita, her mother and baby sister escaped to Ciudad Juarez (p.1).  There, Jesusita’s mother had to work for six months in order to secure enough money for three passports.  During this time Jesusita would carry her sister in her arms, travel through the streets of Ciudad Juarez to meet her mother for lunch.

Jesusita and her baby sister had nothing to eat. Everyday they would travel to their mother’s place of employment to eat leftovers, then travel back to their residence.  At nine years old, this young child was force to grow up.  She became aware of her situation and at an early age, she understood that life was not so pleasant.  You see, Jesusita’s step-father, used to mistreat her, like he did her mother.

Jesusita had many coming of age moments beginning with her abusive step father.  Running away from home was another moment that, at that time she probably did not fully understand, but she was aware that it had to be done. Moving to Ciudad Juarez and commuting those streets with her baby sister in her arms was another moment in which she became of age.  Caring for a baby is very difficult as an adult, imagine the struggles she endured as a nine-year old girl.  The dangers she could and may have faced.

Finally crossing over the border, Jesusita worked the fields of Orange County with her mother and sister for many years.  Women in the early 20th century, like Jesusita and her family set the tone for Mexican women living in America.

Women challenged traditional domesticity values.  They organized for better working conditions, for better education and they spoke out about the gendered roles Chicano movement organizations valued. Women have demonstrated to be worriers, leaders and role models for the rest of us Mexican women.  Their coming of age moments have  helped us; our coming of age moments will help future generations.

I bought this book in the Kindle version for a book review assignment for a Chicano History course.  I loved the idea of it centering around the development of Mexican women in the United States throughout the early 19th Century. Studying about women is of interest to me, because it gives me strength and motivation for progress regardless of roadblocks.  Reading the stories of Mexican women and what they endured is only a portion of history, we, as college students, are making history as many of us are working to obtain degrees and reputable careers.  We can look forward to reading our statistics ten years from now as Mexican American Students with Bachelor degrees.  It is an awesome feeling.

Ruiz, Vicki L. From out of the Shadows: Mexican Women in Twentieth-Century America. Oxford University. 2008. Print..