The Life Of A Civil Rights Advocate For Mexican-Americans

Dr. Cynthia Orozco, holding a copy of her book on Alonso S. Perales in 2022.(The Cuero Record (Cuero, TX))He was a lawyer, a diplomat - and an activist for civil rights for Mexican-Americans.Alonso S. Perales was born in San Antonio - and his life and work spanned the first half of the last century.A few years ago, Dr. Cynthia Orozco wrote a book about him: “Pioneer of Mexican-American Civil Rights: Alonso S. Perales.”Dr. Orozco - known for her work in establishing the field of Chicana studies - is professor emeritus in history and humanities at Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso.Today - Tuesday - starting at 5 PM, she speaks here on our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as part of UTC’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month - in the University Center Auditorium.I spoke with her; Dr. Edwin Murillo, associate professor of Spanish in the UTC Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures - and Marta Perales Carrizales, adopted daughter of Alonso S. Perales.