Amanda Aguirre Booklet

              Arizona Latina Trailblazers Vol IV Stories of Courage, Hope and Determination By Jean Reynolds
As educators, social workers, labor leaders,
entrepreneurs, scholars, judicial repre-sentatives,
homemakers, nurses, ranch wives,
or political representatives, 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 imperative that their
collective stories be recalled and shared,
especially during Arizona’s 100th anniver-sary
of statehood this year.
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. 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
I N S T I T U T E O F A R I Z O N A C E N T E N N I A L
Latinas’ Stories Remain Important in Arizona‘s History
Trailblazer Series Vol IV
by
Jean Reynolds, Historian
Published by
Latino Perspectives Media and
The Phoenix College Raul H. Castro Institute
Trailblazer Series Vol IV
Arizona Latina Trailblazers: Stories of Courage, Hope & Determination
Trailblazer Series Vol IV
by Jean Reynolds, Historian
design by Alfredo Hernandez, Phoenix College
editing by Eileen Archibald, Michelle Klinger, Jonathan Higuera, 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 publish-ers
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.
Copyright @ 2012
Published by
Latino Perspectives Media and
Raul H. Castro Institute of PhoenixCollege
Phoenix, Arizona
Printed in the United States of America
March 2012
Introduction .   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   7
Amanda Aguirre .   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 8
Anna Maria Chávez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Teresa “Terri” Cruz .   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   32
Source Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
TABLE OF CONTENTS The Arizona Latina Trailblazers: Stories of Courage, Hope & Determination
collection is housed in the state library archives as part of the Arizona Memory
Project.
Arizona Latina Trailblazers Vol IV (2012)
Amanda Aguirre
Anna Maria Chávez
Elizabether “Liz” Archuleta
Teresa “Terri” Cruz
Arizona Latina Trailblazers Vol III (2011)
Carmen Cajero and Olivia Cajero Bedford
Ceclia D. Esquer
Manuela Sanchez Sotelo and Maria Sotelo Miller
Mary Rose Wilcox
Arizona Latina Trailblazers Vol II (2010)
Anna Marie Ochoa O’Leary
Barbara Rodríguez Mundell
Carmela Ramírez
Plácida Elvira García Smith
Dora and Alicia Ocampo Quesada
Julia Cuesta Soto Zozaya
Arizona Latina Trailblazers Vol I (2009)
Romana Acosta Banuelos
Graciela Gil Olivarez
Dr. Christine Marin
Luisa Espinel Ronstadt
Trinidad Mejia Escalante Swilling
The digital stories and accompanying video’s can be accessed online:
Latino Perspectives Media (www.latinopm.com) and
Phoenix College Raul H. Castro Institute (www.phoenixcollege.edu/rci)
Arizona Latina Trailblazers 2012 Arizona Latina Trailblazers 2012
6 7
As in 2012, Arizona celebrates its
Centennial year. In this one
hundredth year of statehood, we also
celebrate the Arizona Latina Trailblazers,
who through their determination and
drive, have left indelible prints in the
fabric of our history.
Amanda Aguirre was the first
Latino to represent the Yuma area in
the State Legislature in over 130 years;
Liz Archuleta became the first Latina
elected to the Coconino County Board
of Supervisors in 120 years; Terri Cruz is
recognized as the “mother” of Chicanos
por la Causa”; and Anna Maria Chávez
is the first Hispanic woman selected to
serve as President/CEO of the Girl Scouts
of the USA in its 100-year history.
Our state would not exist in its
present form without the courage and
determination of the many “trailblazers”
that have paved the way. In Arizona,
there have been many Latinos who have
contributed to the backbone of the
state’s development, through their labor,
cultural contributions, and political and
social leadership. Integral to this story are
all of the Latinas who brought us to where
we are today—whether leading behind
the scenes or out in front.
The stories of the four women profiled
here reveal a great pride in their Latino
identity. These women embody commit-ment
to family, community and career.
They have displayed courage when they
have encountered obstacles and worked
for social change, approaching issues with
optimism and determination; they have
engaged the community by listening and
leading with a strong voice and careful
words; and they have insisted on action,
drawing upon collaboration as a key
to success.
Like the women before them, these
four pioneering trailblazers will leave
a legacy to the growing population of
Latinos, and indeed, to all Arizonans, in
the next 100 years.
INTRODUCTION
The Phoenix College Raul H. Castro Institute and Latino Perspectives Media
is proud to present the fourth volume in the Arizona Latina Trailblazing
series in honor of the pioneering spirit and courageous actions of the
many Latina leaders that have shaped Arizona’s history.
8 9
Amanda Aguirre
Amanda Aguirre has dedicated most of
her professional life to uplifting the
health and welfare of families and people in
the Yuma border region and beyond. As
president and chief executive officer of the
San Luis Walk-In Clinic and president/
CEO of the Regional Center for Border
Health, she has created a network of
services for people who may otherwise go
without health care. She believes that all
people are entitled to quality health care
and education and works hard to end
discrimination. She says, “We have to make
a change so that families don’t feel like they
have no future. They have to believe in
themselves.”
Leovigildo and Virginia Reyes,
Amanda’s parents, worked as elementary
school teachers in the small mining town of
Nacozari, east of Hermosillo, Sonora.
Virginia remained a teacher until the start
of her family, while Leovigildo transitioned
into politics, becoming the mayor of
Nacozari, and later a justice of the peace in
Agua Prieta, where Amanda was born in
1953. Her parents spent many hours
teaching their five children about the world
and instilled in them a sense of pride in
their heritage and a fascination with other
countries and cultures. They also taught the
the children about the importance of caring
for others, often taking them to deliver
food baskets to impoverished families,
many living in shacks or cardboard boxes. The Reyes family, 1957. From left: mother Virginia, Amanda, sisters Norma, Olivia, father Leovigildo, twin sister Virginia,
and brother Leovigildo, Jr.
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Amanda (far right) with her sisters and brother wearing dresses made by her mother.
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Amanda Aguirre
Protecting the Vulnerable, Seeking Equality
Amanda Aguirre
10 11
The Reyes family moved to San Luis,
Rio Colorado and Amanda attended school
there until transferring to a prep school in
Hermosillo. She entered the University of
Sonora in Hermosillo and received a
Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Chemistry
in 1974. Amanda’s passion for eliminating
hunger guided her to focus on food
technology. After graduating, she worked
at a federal agency in Mexico City and then
decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in the
Department of Agriculture at the Univer-sity
of Arizona. She had to adjust to
American culture after living for so long in
Mexico, and endured a little culture shock
moving from a large metropolis like Mexico
City to the smaller city of Tucson.
She soon became reacquainted with
her high school sweetheart, Anibal Aguirre,
and they married in 1976, relocating to Los
Angeles, where she completed her Master’s
in Nutrition in 1981 at California State
University. She utilized her chemistry
training to conduct research related to
nutrition, and joined the Minority Biomedi-cal
Science Program.
Once Anibal and Amanda started their
family with daughter Amanda Lucille
known as Lucy, born in 1981 and son
Anibal Jr., she turned to the more
traditional role of homemaker. However,
after several years, remembering how hard
she had worked to obtain her master’s
degree, Amanda made the decision to
return to her profession. By this time
Amanda had become a naturalized citizen.
She received the opportunity to enter a
university-affiliated internship with the
Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles,
working with developmentally disabled
children. She became knowledgeable about
many childhood disabilities, including autism.
During her program, Amanda rotated
through the hospital, interacting with
pediatricians, physical therapists and social
workers. She learned about children’s
nutritional needs and experienced crisis
situations in the intensive care unit. In one
particular experience, Amanda remembers
caring for a child suffering from heroin
withdrawals who wouldn’t stop crying.
Holding this frail child upset her to the
point of tears, and it galvanized her resolve
to begin working toward prevention and
public health. She came away from this
program as a Registered Dietician, gaining
critical knowledge that would assist her in
her community work in the future.
Amanda worked in Los Angeles until
1987, when her father’s cancer called her
back home. She secured a position with the
Yuma County Health Department as the
Public Health Nutritionist and recalls, “It
was very striking to me to see families that
did not have access to health care, so that
drove me to work in the areas of increasing
Amanda Aguirre
Amanda Aguirre crowned Queen of the Rotary Club in San
Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. 1973.
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Amanda’s daughter Lucy and son Anibal, 1985.
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Amanda Aguirre Amanda Aguirre
12 13
access.” In 1991, Amanda gained a new
position as Executive Director for the
Regional Center for Border Health, Inc.,
with the mission to serve the La Paz, Yuma
and Mohave Counties in providing access to
health care and other social services. Now a
single mother, she juggled an extremely
busy work schedule with spending quality
time with her children.
By 2000, Amanda was working as the
Director of College Services for South
Yuma County, but continued to be involved
with the Center. She also became involved
in many health-related local and national
groups. President Bill Clinton appointed
her to the U.S.-Mexico Border Health
Commission, charged with improving
medical access in border towns. The
following year the RCFBH formed the San
Luis Walk-In Clinic. Amanda recalls that
prior to this time, only one doctor and
nurse practitioner served a population of
18,000 in San Luis, Ariz. At this point,
Amanda returned to a paid position as
Executive Director of the RCFBH, guiding
it toward the $5 million agency it is today,
with offices in Bullhead City and Parker,
Ariz.
Through the RCFBH, Amanda opened
the Main Street Café in 2005, a vocational
training facility and restaurant in Somer-ton.
With this facility, she spearheaded an
effort to empower women and help them
escape abusive domestic situations or train
for other options of work besides the
agricultural fields. Before long, women and
men gained food services training and
community members flocked to the little
restaurant for fresh, local food.
In 2003, Amanda took her passion for
public service to a new level, when she was
appointed to the 46th Arizona State
Legislature as a Representative for Yuma
and La Paz Counties’ District 24. She broke
ground as the first woman and the first
Latino to serve as a State Representative
from this District. The last person of
Mexican descent to serve in the Legislature
from Yuma was Jose Maria Redondo, a
pioneer businessman who served in the
Territorial Legislature in the 1860s and
1870s.
Amanda in campaign mode for District 24 Arizona State House of Representatives. From left: Ms. Lundey,
Amanda Aguirre, Tuly Medina, Virginia Reyes, 2002.
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Ariz. Senator Amanda Aguirre (far right) pictured with the
Arizona State Senate 2008 Women’s Caucus.
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Amanda Aguirre
14 15
Throughout her life, Amanda has had
to deal with questions about her capabilities
due to her Mexican upbringing and
education. She pushed these barriers aside
with confidence and worked hard, for
herself and her children. Long-time friend
and attorney Gerald W. Hunt describes her
role as a mother, “She has devoted the time
to make her kids feel that they had a safety
net and could reach for the stars—and they
did, they grabbed some stars.” Her daughter
Amanda recently graduated from MIT with
a degree in organic chemistry, and her son
Anibal has served three tours in Afghani-stan
as an Air Force officer and helicopter
pilot, leading search and rescue missions.
He will be awarded a Distinguished Flying
Cross for his service
Amanda’s work in border and state-wide
health issues has earned her more than
25 awards from a myriad of professional
associations. For example, in 2000
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
presented her with the OHTLI Award, the
highest award given to individuals living in
a foreign country that have demonstrated
commitment to communities of Mexican
origin. Amanda has more work ahead, and
perhaps more years in elected office. She
has made it her mission to promote good
health among children and families. She
says, “I feel so proud, to look behind me and
see my past—my footprints, and then I
realize that they are just in the sand of your
work with all the guidance coming from
God.”
Amanda Aguirre
Amanda was elected to the House in
2004, and served until 2006. She then ran
for the Senate, and held that office until
2010. Her work in the House and the
Senate included many types of bi-partisan
legislation, much of which focused on
medical and health-related issues. One of
the most recognized, 2008 Steven’s Law,
required insurance companies to cover the
cost of behavioral therapy for children with
autism, and was the first of its kind in the
nation. She went on to establish an Autism
Spectrum Disorder Task Force to help
agencies deliver more efficient services.
While in office, she was a member of
notable committees such as Healthcare &
Medical Liability Reform and the Joint
Legislative Budget Committee. Governor
Janet Napolitano appointed Amanda to the
Arizona Governor’s Homeland Security
Coordinating Council, where she made it
her goal to emphasize the human face of
border issues.
Today, Amanda still serves as the
president/CEO of the Regional Center for
Border Health. One of her most important
projects is the construction of a $19 million
medical complex in the Yuma area that will
include a primary care facility, urgent care
center, outpatient facility, a vocational
training center for health education
programs, and a doctors’ residency
program, all in partnership with the
University of Arizona and the Cocopah
Nation. She is determined to see this
complex open in 2014.
Ariz. Senator Amanda Aguirre and Ariz. Governor Janet
Napolitano during Arizona House of Representatives
Democratic Caucus meeting, 2005.
Family picture. Left to right: Lucy Aguirre , Gerald W. Hunt,
Anibal Aguirre, Amanda Aguirre, 2005.
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Image courtesy of Amanda Aguirre
Arizona Latina Trailblazers 2012 Arizona Latina Trailblazers 2012
40 41
SOURCE LISTING SOURCE LISTING
INTERVIEWS
• Aguirre, Amanda. Interview by author,
February 8, 2012. Phoenix, Arizona
• Aguirre, Amanda. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 22, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Archuleta, Elizabeth. Interview by author,
February 10, 2012. Phoenix, Arizona.
• Archuleta, Elizabeth. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 23, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Archuleta, Isabel. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 23, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Bermudez-Medina, Tuly. Interview by
Alesther Cronkite, February 22, 2012. Salt
River Project.
• Blume, Kerry. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 23, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Chávez, Anna Maria. Interview by Katie
Couric on ABC Good Morning America,
February 2, 2012. New York, NY. Available
at http://youtube/5lbkKVGrNdo.
• Chávez, Anna Maria. Interview by author,
February 10, 2012. Phoenix, Arizona.
• Chávez, Anna Maria. Interview by Michel
Martin, National Public Radio, November
28, 2011.
• Cruz, Terri. Interview by author, February 8,
2012. Phoenix, Arizona.
• Cruz, Terri. Interview by Alesther Cronkite,
February 23, 2012. Salt River Project.
• Hidalgo, Edmundo. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 22, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Holleran, Mark. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 23, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Hunt, Gerald. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 22, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Lopez, Rosie. Interview by Alesther Cronkite,
February 23, 2012. Salt River Project.
• Peru, Steve. Interview by Alesther Cronkite,
February 23, 2012. Salt River Project.
• Quintero, Lupita. Interview by Alesther
Cronkite, February 23, 2012. Salt River
Project.
• Sarmina-Gutierrez, Luz. Interview by
Alesther Cronkite, February 22, 2012. Salt
River Project.
• Solley, Dr. Anna Maria. Interview by
Alesther Cronkite, February 23, 2012. Salt
River Project.
• Zavala-Porchas, Candie. Interview by
Alesther Cronkite, February 22, 2012. Salt
River Project.
ARTICLES AND OTHER SOURCES
• Allen, Paula. “Anna Maria Chávez- New
ways to be a Girl Scout.” San Antonio
Woman. May/June 2011.
• Amanda Aguirre. Arizona State Leg-islature
Member Page. http://www.
azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?member_
ID=115&Legislature=49&Session_ID=87
• Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive Of-ficer
biography. Girl Scouts of USA. http://
www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/leader-ship/
ceo.asp
• Armendiz, Yvette. “Anna Maria Chávez:
Governor’s Aide relies on family.” Arizona
Republic. June 19, 2007.
• Biography of County Supervisor Liz
Archuleta.
• Biography of Elpidia and Delfino Contreras.
• Biography of Manuel and Maria Archuleta.
• Biography of Remigio and Isabel Archuleta.
• Biography and resume of Terry Cruz
• Biography of the Sanchez Family: One of
Flagstaff’s Hispanic Pioneer Families.
• Crawford, Amanda. “Legislature backs
plan to insure kids with autism.” Arizona
Republic. March 18, 2008.
• Congressional Record: “To honor Ms. Terri
Cruz as this year’s recipient of the Jewell
Award.” May 17, 2001.
• Diaz, Elvia. “Activism takes new turn:
Amanda Aguirre pursues health issue in
House.” Arizona Republic. April 13, 2003.
• Ibid. “Governor tapping Latinos: Hispanics
appointed to 18 top jobs.” Arizona Repub-lic.
May 25, 2003.
• Ibid. “Top Hispanic Aide ‘perfect fit.’”
Arizona Republic. May 9, 2004.
• Duarte, Carmen. “Raul Castro Institute
will provide support to Latinos in Arizona.”
Arizona Daily Star. July 5, 2006.
Arizona Latina Trailblazers 2012
42
Latino Perspectives Magazine and the Raul H. Castro Institute (RCI) are proud to have a role in preserving the
significant contributions made by the 2012 Arizona Latina Trailblazers. The mission of Latino Perspectives
Magazine is to provoke, challenge, and connect Latinos who are defining, pursuing, and achieving the
American Latino Dream. This mission is in concert with the Raul H. Castro Institute’s vision to improve the
quality of life for the Latino community in Arizona by bringing focus to priority issues of education, health and
human services, leadership, and civic engagement — all areas in which these Latina Trailblazers have created a
tremendous and lasting impact. Through the use of this book in educational settings and through its availability
as part of the Arizona Memory Project, their legacy will be perpetuated as generations of leaders continue to
be inspired by the spirit and actions of these pioneering women. It has been a privilege to tell their stories.
Thank you to the following sponsors for making this project possible:
Additional support provided by:
SOURCE LISTING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• Elizabeth Archuleta- District Two Supervi-sor.
Coconino County Board of Supervisors
website. http://www.coconino.az.gov/bos.
aspx?id=91
• “Elizabeth Archuleta Wins 2004 Profiles
of Success Hispanic Leadership Award.”
Northern Arizona University e-newsletter,
Vol. 1 No. 25. September 29, 2004.
• Gersema, Emily. “Area residents pushed
autism-insurance law.” Mesa Republic.
June 27, 2008.
• Girl Scouts Convention, 2011 Keynote
Address by Anna Maria Chávez. http://blog.
girlscouts.org/2011/11/anna-maria-chavez-speaks-
to-girl-scouts.html.
• “Great Depression taught lasting, positive life
lessons.” Tucson Citizen. December 22, 2008.
• Healy, Michelle. “Hispanic Attorney Names
New Girl Scouts CEO.” USA Today. August
24, 2011.
• Johnson, Andrew. “Valle del Sol to honor 11
leaders for work in the Latino Community.”
Arizona Republic. September 7, 2007.
• Lobaco, Julia. “Mother secures job skills, earns
political position.” Arizona Republic. 1984.
• Lovell, Jennifer. “Aguirre earns ‘Walk the
Talk’ award.” Yuma Sun. June 5, 2008.
• Luckingham, Bradford. Phoenix: History
of a Southwestern Metropolis. Tucson:
University of Arizona Press. 1989.
• Pitzl, Mary Jo. “Surprise endings in several
tight races.” Arizona Republic. November
25, 2006.
• Proclamation: Teresa Cruz Day. City of
Phoenix. June 25, 1999.
• Salazar, Christian. “Anna Maria Chávez: Girl
Scouts Choose Hispanic Woman as New
CEO.” Huffington Post. August 24, 2011.
• Terry Cruz: Hispanic Family of the Year
Award Nomination Form. Hispanic Family
Recognition. 1986.
• Wilken, Stephanie. “Aguirre creates autism
task force.” Yuma Sun. May 5, 2010.
• Ibid. “Shooter, Aguirre take next steps.”
Yuma Sun. November 4, 2010.
• Ibid. “State nonprofit honors Amanda
Aguirre.” Yuma Sun. August 6, 2010.
• Wong, Scott. “2 bills targeting ID theft pass
Legislature.” Arizona Republic. April 11,
2009.