Chicanas in the Chicano Movement

2

Major Themes Chicanas were both inspired and

constrained by their experiences in the Chicano Movement.

Many groups pressuring for social change experienced the power of uniting around a common identity.

Building a unified identity can obscure internal differences and some may feel excluded.

3

Key Questions Why were some Chicanas dissatisfied with

their experience in the Chicano Movement? Why were some Chicanas against being

involved in the Women’s Liberation Movement?

Who were the “loyalists”? What did they

believe? Who were the “feminists”? What did they

believe?

4

Analytical Concepts and Historical Context Sex vs. Gender

Some examples of newspaper coverage of curfews for women at universities.

1968

1973

1959

1964

5

Social Movement Context cont’d Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee

(SNCC)

Pictured: Women in SDS and SNCC, from left to right: Woman tabling for SDS in 1964 at University of California, Berkeley, Women advocating voting in 1970, Women sit-in at a

segregated lunch counter in Jackson, MS in 1963.

6

Chicanas in the Chicano Movement 1969 Chicano Youth

Liberation Conference in Denver

New skills Increasing sense of

pride and empowerment

Belief in the possibility of change

Top: Poster advertising a Chicana Art Exhibit in 1976,

Bottom: Chicana Brown Berets, date unknown.

7

-Mary Varela on her experience at the Chicano Youth Liberation Conference, Denver, 1969

“Conference’ is a poor word to describe those five days . . . It ways in reality a fiesta, days of celebrating what sings in the blood of a people who, taught to believe they are ugly, discover the true beauty in their souls during the years of occupation and intimidation . . Coca Cola, Doris Day, Breck Shampoo, the Playboy Bunny, the Arrow Shirt Man,, the Marlboro Heroes, are lies. ‘We are beautiful . . ‘ This affirmation grew into a grito, a roar, among the people

gathered in the auditorium”

Chicanas on the stage at the Chicano

Youth Liberation Conference, March 1969.