Chicana politics: Maria Cardenas and La Raza Unida Party, 1935-1993

Chicana Politics is centered on the life of María Cárdenas, as a way to reveal a complex history of Chicanas in electoral politics and their relationship with the larger feminist movement in Texas. By examining the life of María Cárdenas, I make two arguments. First, even though María Cárdenas participated in traditional gender roles not normally associated with the politicization of women, I explain that her familial skills and concerns gave rise to powerful working-class political conscious that reinforced her desire to mobilize the Chicana/o community in San Angelo, Texas. Through this argument, I bring nuance to the field of Chicana women’s history. In the past, Chicana scholars argued that the only way possible for Chicana women to attain a political consciousness is by stepping outside traditional gender roles. María Cárdenas embraced her role as a homemaker, mother, and wife, which in turn inspired her activism. Secondly, through her participation in Chicana Political Caucus and Mujeres Por La Raza (Women of La Raza Unida Party) she garnered even more confidence to start her political career at the local electoral level.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Grantor

Texas Tech University

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Gonzalez, Tiffany

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Willett, Julie

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Skidmore, Emily
• Levario, Miguel

• Chicana
• Politics
• Texas
• Raza Unida Party
• San Angelo

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2346/88545

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ttu-ir.tdl.org:2346/88545