Señora Power Podcast

Ven a platicar with us for the last time this season! In our final platica, we talk about what it's like to be a suspicious señora, or a señora with an FBI file. Señoras Flores & Garza-Birdwell were on the streets, in the picket lines, and sometimes, hiding underground. Join us as we compare the differing political strategies of two radical Mexican American activists.

In this episode we talk about Yolanda Garza Birdwell, a señora who has been active in Texas for much of the 20th and now 21st centuries. We talk about the surveillance she underwent for her activism, we talk about the radical possibilities of falling in love, and much more! The following are resources referenced during the episode:FBI Surveillance of Mexicans and Chicanos, 1920-1980, José Angel Gutiérrez (2020)Interview with Jesus Medel: Chicano museum interviews Yolanda Garza Birdwell, former MAYO member on 5 19 2020

The final episode series begins with Francisca Flores from Los Angeles. Described as one of the most dangerous organizers of the Chicano Movement, señora Francisca built a long legacy of activism oriented toward the youth, women, and workers. She was under heavy government surveillance for most of her life—join us as we discuss her FBI file.CW: deep state surveillance, racism, sexism, abortion, and forced sterilization.

In this plática, we discuss what community-building looks like within the world of establishments and institutions. We focus on the different kinds of grassroots strategies that señoras Lupe and Mamie used—from boxing to business cards.Content warning: police violence, racism, sexism.

Join us as we talk about Mamie Garcia, a señora whose community organizing and advocacy work has been centered around responding to the needs of her Houston Magnolia Park community. Her response to the 1977 murder of Jose Campos Torres by Houston police officers kicked off what would be an long struggle for the community.Content warning: police brutality, sexism, racism

In this episode, we learn about Lupe Anguiano, a señora whose life and work greatly impacted Los Angeles Mexican communities.. We focus on how señoras like Anguiano have utilized big establishments or institutions like the Catholic Church and LAPD. Our research was pulled from Debora Wright's 2016 biography, Uncompromised: The Lupe Anguiano Story as well as Anguiano's oral history at UCLA Center for Oral History Research, linked here.

Ven a platicar with us about señoras Maria Jimenez (HTX) and Alicia Escalante (LA). We’ll talk about welfare, student activism, and the difference between being a leader and being an organizer.Content warning: police violence, racism, sexism.

Listen to learn about Alicia Escalante, a Chicana who fought for welfare rights in California and whose activism drew the attention of her community members, the Catholic Church, and police alike. Content warnings: Intimate partner violence, drug use, racism, sexismReferences from the episode:Alicia Escalante UC Santa Barbara archivesChicana por mi raza profile on Alicia EscalanteNational African American Museum, Alicia Escalante Oral HistoryDr. Rosie Bermudez's chapter regarding Alicia Escalante

In this episode, we learn about Maria Jimenez, a señora with a long activist history in Houston. She lived from 1950-2020. We focus on how señoras have organized their communities, taking on the role and identity of an activist.

This episode is about the many ways in which señoras participate in political communities. Gaby provides definitions for the terms intersectionality, respectability, and political consciousness. Sonia also mentions the Teen Post Program, created by Lupe Anguiano, another one of the señoras we’ll feature in this season of Señora Power. Stay teen posted for more!

In this part of the Social Señoras episode, we will be talking about Gloria Arellanes. She lived and organized in California throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. This episode is in memory of Señora Arellanes who passed away in October of 2024, to hear more about her amazing life, listen to her oral history here: https://www.loc.gov/item/2016655427/

In this episode, we learn about Carmen Cortes, a señora from Houston, who lived from 1913-2001. We focus on how señoras have used social clubs to build community.You will hear lots of acronyms and references, such as the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), still the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the U.S. Also, you will hear about Club Femenino Chapultepec and Club Cultural Recreativo Mexico Bello— two Houston-based Hispanic social clubs.We will also cite Dionne Espinoza, María Eugenia Cotera and Maylei Blackwell’s foundational text, Chicana Movidas (2018).

In this episode, Sonia, Gaby, and Sophia talk about the broader context surrounding the idea of a "church señora." They discuss religion in the Mexican American community and the ways in which this has affected women's survival strategies in the past.

In this episode, we learn about Petra Guillen, a señora from Houston, who lived from 1919-2015. We focus on how señoras have used church resources to build community. Many thanks to the Petra Guillen Foundation for their support. Visit petraguillen.com to learn more.In memoriam of Linda Kay Guillen Duron.Correction:At 8:48, it is Petra's grandmother (not her mother), who was ill.

In this episode, we learn about Josefa Serna, a Los Angeles señora, who lived from 1911-2007. We focus on how señoras have used church spaces to create community and kinship.

Welcome to Señora Power! In this Introductory Episode we talk about the origins of the podcast, its structure and what to expect from Season 1.