Arizona Latina Trailblazers Vol III Stories of Courage, Hope and Determination By Dr. Christine Marin
Vol III
By
Christine Marin, Ph.D.
Published by
Latino Perspectives Media
and
Raul H. Castro Institute
Vol III
Copyright @ 2011
by Latino Perspectives Media and Raul H. Castro Institute
Phoenix, Arizona
Edited by: Joan Westlake / Phoenix College
Designed by: Alfredo Hernández / Phoenix College
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
The publishers grant permission to individual teachers to reproduce the contents of this
book for educational purposes and classroom use.
Limit of Liability/ Disclaimer of Warranty: While the author and the publishers have
used their best efforts in preparing this publication, they make no representations or
warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of its contents and specifically
disclaim any intent to defame or slight any people, places or organizations.
Printed in the United States of America
April 2011
Arizona Latina Trailblazers 2011
5
As Arizona approaches its Centennial
Celebration, it is an ideal occasion to
honor and celebrate six Latina Trailblazers
who represent more than 100 years of
contributions that continue to be vital to
this state. The life journeys of these women
are filled with compelling stories that
reflect the strength of their vision, their
courageous actions, and their thoughtful
advocacy.
It was 1872 when Manuela Sotelo
brought her family to the Salt River Valley.
A widow, she was legendary for her astute
land purchases and for sharing her frontier-honed
skills with all. She and her daughter,
María Sotelo Miller, saw grandchildren go
on to teach after being trained at the school
Manuela and María helped to establish —
Tempe Territorial Normal School.
In search of the American Dream, two
generations of the Cajero family came to
mine in Morenci, Ariz. in the early 1900s.
They had a dream of a better life for both
their family and community. This vision
was instilled in Bernardo and Carmen
Cajero, and was fulfilled through their
work in the legislature. This dream continues
today, through the work of their daughter,
State Senator Olivia Cajero Bedford.
Cecilia Esquer and Maricopa County
Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox left their
mining community of Superior to pursue
an education during the turbulent 60s.
The Chicano Movement helped to direct
their pursuit of equality. Excelling in their
varied careers, their contributions to the
Democratic Party are legendary, as are
their achievements on behalf of the poor,
the dispossessed, women and children, the
sick, and the elderly.
These six Latina Trailblazers represent a
rich heritage of moral courage, sacrifice and
fortitude. They come from communities
that taught lessons of cultural survival while
tending the love of la familia in the heart.
The lives of these Trailblazers shine a light
on the path of service and social conscience.
We honor them and all that they represent
as strong role models and pioneers who
forged our rich cultural heritage. They are
extraordinary women of Arizona.
INTRODUCTION
6
With a passion for civic activism
rooted in their Clifton-Morenci
mining heritage, the women of the Cajero
families have made public service a way of
life. Carmen Cajero brought compassion,
insight, stamina, and a tremendous work
ethic to her role as a leader in the Arizona
Legislature. Her daughter, Olivia Cajero
Bedford, has continued the proud tradition,
working tirelessly on behalf of those whose
voices might not otherwise be heard.
Ancestors Manuel and Crescencia
Amador Cajero, together with their son
Inocencio and his wife Guadalupe Moreno
Cajero, came to the Clifton-Morenci area
from the central western state of Jalisco,
Mexico. The father and son immigrants
were thought to have been recruited in the
early 1900s by the copper mining compa-nies.
Both were employed as miners during Carmen Cajero; October, 1936
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
Carmen Cajero and
Olivia Cajero Bedford
Legislators Mine Clifton-Morenci Heritage
7
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
a time rife with discrimination and
inequities in the treatment of Mexican
American miners.
Inocencio and Guadalupe had nine chil-dren.
Their son Bernardo Cajero was born
in 1916 in Morenci. Bernardo, not wanting
to work in the mines, went to California to
learn to be a barber. He returned to Tucson
in 1937, opening a shop in the historic barrio
known as “El Hoyo.” The barbershop
attracted a steady clientele of neighbors,
local politicians, teachers and prominent
Mexican American leaders.
Through Bernardo’s association
with members of the Alianza Hispano
Americana, a civil rights organization,
and his membership in the Democratic
Party, Bernardo was persuaded to enter the
political arena. His work as a Democratic
precinct committeeman and city ward
committeeman, combined with his knowl-edge
of Tucson’s inter-ethnic relationhips
and his popularity as an astute business-man,
president of Pueblo High School’s
Carmen Cajero (left), Olivia Cajero, Bernardo Carjero
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
8
Parent-Teacher Association and property
owner, made his election an easy victory.
In 1968 he won a District 10 seat in the
Arizona House of Representatives, an
area dominated by Democrats and a large
Mexican American population.
In January 1973, Bernardo passed
away following a series of heart attacks,
just as he was beginning his third term
as a District 10 representative. Governor
Jack Williams left it to the Pima County
Board of Supervisors to select his successor.
The Board decided that Bernardo’s wife,
Carmen, was the one person who could
continue the work.
As a guiding influence in shaping her
husband’s successful career, Carmen Cajero
was not a novice in business or politics.
While in office, Bernardo always asked
for Carmen’s advice and counsel about
important issues. Assuming office, Carmen
matched her husband’s zeal and political
knowledge and soon established her own
solid reputation as a skillful and smart
legislator. Her calm but firm manner won
her numerous friends and the respect of
colleagues. She learned quickly, studied
legislative literature avidly and understood
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
Bernardo Cajero; campaign truck
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
9
Republican and Democratic positions.
Carmen was known for being frugal.
During Legislative sessions, she lived in
a travel trailer at a Phoenix mobile home
park. Democrats could always count on
her vote. Carmen was a champion for the
elderly, the poor, women and children. She
introduced an education bill first favored
by her husband in 1968 to provide state-funded,
free textbooks for Arizona’s high
school students, and determinedly contin-ued
to introduce it every term until finally,
12 years later in 1985, the bill passed.
For seven years, Carmen championed a
bonus of $300 for Vietnam veterans to con-tinue
their education. One year, she asked
for only $100, hoping to see the bill passed,
but to no avail. In 1980, Carmen won a
fifth term, vowing to continue her fight for
veteran benefits and for the free high school
textbooks. She championed many issues
such as new highways, funding to repair old
roads, an end to discrimination against the
physically challenged, funding for indigent
health care and crime prevention.
Carmen served on the House
Appropriations, Agriculture,
Environmental Affairs and Health com-mittees.
In the 1990s, she introduced a bill
that provided state funds to the University
of Arizona for bone marrow and cancer
research. With her support, the university’s
Cancer Research Center was established.
She also supported funding for a clinic in
her district to help victims of water con-tamination
and pollution.
Nancy Reagan and Carmen Cajero; 1990, Tucson, Ariz.
Recognition luncheon for volunteers and supporters of the
Arizona Cancer Center
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
10
The National Honor Roll of State
Legislators acknowledged Carmen for her
leadership and efforts to promote and pro-tect
the rights of women. After 24 years of
service, Representative Cajero retired at the
age of 81 to devote more time to her family
and personal life. Over the next decade,
she continued her interest in political issues
and remained active in her community. She
passed away April 1, 2007, at the age of 92.
Bernardo and Carmen’s legacy of public
service lives on in their daughter, who
became an Arizona state representative and
senator. Olivia was schooled in Arizona’s
political scene by taking part in her parents’
campaigns and offering them advice on
legislation during years they served in the
House of Representatives.
Olivia graduated from Tucson High
School in 1956, and continued her edu-cation
at Pima Community College and
the University of Arizona. She was a hair
stylist for 28 years and owned two O’Hair
International salons. She also worked for
the Arizona Office of Tourism, Old Tucson
Studios and a hotel. An astute business
Legislative signing event; Travis and Olivia Cajero Bedford (left), Governor Bruce Babbitt, Representative Carmen Cajero;
1985 bill signing ceremony, Tucson, Ariz.
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
11
owner, she strongly supported the efforts of
small companies to seek funding and loans.
Olivia decided that she could best serve
Tucson and the Mexican American commu-nity
by following in her parents’ footsteps.
She became president of the Democrats
of Greater Tucson and served as vice chair
of the Pima County Democratic Party.
She ran unsuccessfully for the Arizona
Legislature in 2000 against incumbents in
District 11, losing by only 143 votes. She
ran again in 2002 in District 27 and won,
assuming office in 2003.
She is known for her purple campaign
truck. When citizens see it parked along the
side of the road, they know they can stop
and discuss their concerns and opinions.
Olivia also has a reputation as a strong advo-cate
for education reform, including efforts
to reduce the state’s high school dropout rate.
As a pro-business legislator, she has sat
on the House Commerce Committee, the
powerful House Appropriations Committee
and the House Financial Institutions and
Olivia Cajero Bedford; 2008 campaign election signage and truck
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
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Insurance Committee.
Her association with the Border
Action Network to protect the rights of
immigrants places her in the forefront of
immigration reform. Her advocacy for
Planned Parenthood reflects her support for
reproductive health choices for women of
all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Olivia has gained the admiration and
respect of her colleagues and constituents
through her active membership in the
National Association of Latino Elected
Officials; the Arizona Women’s Caucus;
Women in Government; the Girl Scouts;
Arizona Tourism Advisory Council;
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association
International; and National Conference of
State Legislatures. She is a graduate of
the Council of State Governments’
Legislative Academy.
The Arizona Medical Association
awarded her the “Walk the Talk” award in
2007. In addition, she was honored among
the year’s Tech 10 Legislators at the Fifth
Annual Governor’s Celebration
of Innovation.
In 2009, Representative Cajero Bedford
was presented the Circle of Excellence
Award by Tucson’s University Medical
Center social workers for supporting pro-grams
such as graduate medical education
and for bringing attention to health issues
including vaccines for children, pre-natal
care for low-income women and health care
for the elderly.
Olivia Cajero Bedford and Governor Janet Napolitano;
campaign flyer for re-election campaign
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
13
Proud to have been recognized by the
Victoria Foundation, which promotes the
lifelong education of Arizona Latinos as
part of its mission, Olivia has said that she is
honored that “a woman from South Tucson”
has received opportunities including train-ing
at Harvard made possible by a scholar-ship
from the foundation.
Increasing career and technical educa-tion
in high school curriculum has always
been one of her legislative goals. Olivia also
works with high schools in her district to
help teachers coordinate school field trips
to the Legislature to improve students’
understanding of government and expand
on what they have learned in the classroom.
Her goal is to motivate the students to con-sider
a career in politics.
Olivia served in the Arizona State
House of Representatives from 2003 until
2010, when she became ineligible to run for
re-election due to term limits. She decided
to run for the Senate and ran unopposed
for the seat in District 27. She entered the
Arizona State Senate on Jan. 10, 2011 and
has chosen to serve on committees that
have the greatest impact in addressing
constituents’ needs.
The Cajero-Bedford family exemplifies
the American dream of success through
hard work, education and political activ-ism.
These descendants of immigrants,
who came to the mines of Clifton-Morenci
nearly a century ago, continue a legacy of
diligence and public service.
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
Image courtesy of Olivia Cajero Bedford
Senator Olivia Cajero Bedford; 2011 , Assembly Room,
State Senate Building
DeterminationAs educators, social workers, labor leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, judicial representatives, home makers, nurses, ranch wives, or political representa-tives, Latinas and Hispanas have long been at the forefront of Arizona’s history. It is important that we recognize the impact of their individual contributions, and imperitive that their collective stories be recalled and shared, especially as we approach Arizona’s 100th anniversary of statehood in 2012.The life journeys of the Arizona Latina Trailblazers are filled with compelling stories that reflect the strength of their vision, their courageous actions, and their thoughtful advocacy. Their outstanding leadership formed strong cultural cornerstones, laying the foundation for women in leadership roles today. And so we honor them and all that they represent, pioneers who forged our rich cultural heritage and strong role models.Raul H. Castro InstitutePUBLIC POLICY | EDUCATION | LEADERSHIPVol Stories Remain Important in Arizona‘s History
