One of the strongest women that I know is my grandmother Deodata Plasencia. This summer we celebrated her 90th birthday with the entire family. She is one of the people that I will always admire and look up to. She is always taking care of her family and protecting them. Some of the best memories are of us building and playing with Lego sets. I still play with Legos, but now she is teaching me to cook. Throughout her life she has gone through many experiences that make her the person that she is today.
My grandfather died a few years after serving in the army during WWII. Leaving her to raise three children by her self. Although she didn’t speak a word of English, she was amazing with numbers. Combing through the papers of her late husband’s and countless times going to the Veteran’s Administration and the Social Security Office to fight for the rights of her children. Little by little, she was able to pay off the bank, the architect, and construction company that my grandfather had hire to build an apartment building. She had help with translating the English documents from her 10 and 13-year-old children. She continued to fight for her rights. She fought against the Barrington Plaza, the first high rise apartment complex in West Los Angeles, in court with the help of her 12 year old daughter and lawyers.
One of the stories that stuck with me the most is when she finally came to the United States. My grandfather went down to Mexico to marry her and then they came back to live in the United States. One day in Santa Monica they were walking down the street when a white lady asked her what she was doing with some Mexican. She replied with “¿qué?” and they walked away. She is never ashamed of who she is or of her culture. Unfortunately when my grandfather died he didn’t leave any money behind. Being broke she wanted her children to have better lives than the ones that they had right now. She saw that her other in-laws members were making money as owning their own gardening company and beauticians, and she wanted her to children to follow their footsteps. However, her children wanted to pursue other careers and wanted to attend college. Even though she knew that the path they were choosing was going to be hard she supported their decisions no matter what. My uncle and my mother went on to attend UCLA and became a cardiologist and teacher respectively. While my Aunt went on to attend CSUN and also became a teacher. They were the first in our family to graduate from college.
This is very beautiful Michael because grandmothers are very important figures in Latino Culture. I am glad you want to learn so much from her. You should ask her stories and write them down to pass onto future generations. I never met my grandmother because she died before I was born but you have a chance to really get to know her. Maybe make a family tree, it can be fun!
Michael this is amazing! Your grandmother has lived that long because she is a strong woman and truly inspiring! I love to hear stories of people growing up with their grandmothers and grandfathers. I didn’t grow up with my grandparents because they were in Mexico and couldn’t come to visit us. I agree with Beatriz you should definitely ask her to tell you her stories and record them if she gives you permission to do so. There is people out there who might be taking an interest in researching testimonies of the lives of people in the United States, especially from your grandmother’s generation. Her stories can be utilized as primary sources! Felicidades Michael for having such a wonderful 90 year old grandmother!!