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.
16 17
Anna Maria Chávez
School District Board from 1978-80, and in
1977, became the first woman elected to
the Central Arizona Community College
Governing Board. Anna Maria helped her
campaign for the position, going door-to-door,
and remembers with pride how her
mother broke barriers by stepping out of
the stereotypical roles set for Mexican
American women in rural communities.
Her parents recognized the need to
give their daughter every opportunity to
fulfill her potential. They moved to the
Phoenix area where Anna Maria attended
high school in the Paradise Valley Unified
Anna Maria Chavéz, or “Eagle One”, as
she is affectionately known by some,
had no inkling when she joined Troop 304
that she would one day have a tremendous
impact on the lives of girls all over the
nation. In 2011, Anna Maria became the
first person of color to serve as the chief
executive officer of the Girl Scouts of the
USA, one of the largest and most widely
recognized nonprofit organizations in the
country.
Anna Maria and her two brothers,
Alex and Rene, grew up in the small rural
town of Eloy, Arizona. She spent many
hours playing in the surrounding cotton
fields or reading in the public library, but
she longed for sisters. When she was ten,
her best friend Lisa came to school with an
offer to join a Girl Scout Troop. Anna
Maria jumped at the chance. “I learned that
the environment was so important, and that
we are all connected,” recalls Chavéz. “I
went out and looked at the world as a
different place.” Anna Maria’s passion for
effecting change blossomed, her dream of
becoming an attorney emerged, and she had
found a lifelong circle of friends.
Jose and Maria Chavéz, Anna Maria’s
parents, were small business owners and
community activists. She credits them,
along with her nana (grandmother), in
providing unyielding support for the
pursuit of her hopes and dreams. They
encouraged her to study and think about
college. Jose worked in the migrant fields
for years to ensure that his children
received the gift of education and were
prepared to reach out and live the Ameri-can
Dream. Her mother Maria, a native of
Arizona, served on the Eloy Elementary
Miss Moore’s kindergarten class, Curiel Annex School, 1973-74, Eloy Ariz. Anna Maria Chavéz (top row left).
Image courtesy of Anna Maria Chávez
Anna Maria Chávez
Motivating Youth, Leading the Way
Anna Maria Chávez
18 19
admissions include the U.S. District Court
for the District of Arizona, Arizona
Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme
Court.
Her selection as one of eight individu-als
nationally to enter the Honors Attorney
Program with the Department of Trans-portation
brought her legal career to
Washington D.C. In the Honors Attorney
Program, she was able to work in various
agencies within the Department, including
serving as an attorney advisor in the Office
of the Counsel to the President, and from
1996 to 1998, as Legal Counsel for the
Federal Highway Administration.
In 2000, Anna Maria returned to
Arizona under Governor Jane D. Hull’s
administration. She was pleased to follow
one of her passions and serve as In-House
Counsel and Assistant Director for the
Division of Aging & Community Services,
which Anna Maria termed, “the Division
with a heart.” She oversaw programs that
dealt with domestic violence shelters,
homeless services, refugee resettlement
assistance, and senior programs. Heavily
involved in aging issues, her motto was, “If
it’s not your issue — it will be.” During this
time, Anna Maria and her husband Robert,
a financial industry executive, became
parents to a son, Michael.
In 2003, she moved into a position as
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano’s
administration, and ultimately served as the
governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Urban
Relations and Community Development.
She advised Governor Napolitano on
School District. She graduated from
Shadow Mountain High School with
honors, having received generous support
from the teachers who encouraged her
pursuit of college and her dreams of
attending law school.
In 1986, Anna Maria applied and was
accepted to Yale University. She traveled
3,000 miles to Connecticut alone, on a
flight funded by the resources of many
supportive family members. She recalls, “At
that time, there weren’t a lot of Mexican
American students going to Yale. I was
about one of sixteen in a class of 1,000.
Most of us came from Arizona, Texas and
California…and we all missed Mexican
food.”
Tenacious and enterprising, Anna
Maria worked two jobs and diligently
focused on her course work in American
Studies, in which she received her bach-elor’s
degree. Afterward, she accepted a
fellowship at the University of Arizona
College of Law, and felt fortunate to be one
of the first students to focus on interna-tional
trade issues. Anna Maria loved the
clinical courses and accepted internships
with the legal defender’s office and the legal
services clinic in Tucson. She had studied
French and Spanish and also enjoyed using
her language skills to help others seeking
asylum at an immigration detention center.
Anna Maria, who had waited her
entire life to become a lawyer, graduated
with her juris doctor degree in 1994 and
passed the Arizona bar exam. Since then,
she has passed many bar exams and her
Anna Maria Chávez
Image courtesy of Phoenix College
Phoenix College Golden Bear Partnership Awards, 2006.
Left to right: Maria Valenzuela Chavéz, Anna Maria
Chávez, Dr. Anna Solley, president of Phoenix College.
Anna Maria Chavéz and Ariz. Governor Janet Napolitano,
Valle Del Sol Profiles of Success Luncheon, 2005.
José L. Muñoz photographer
Anna Maria Chávez Anna Maria Chávez
20 21
boundless optimism, and her efficiency in
creating solutions. Arizona Shelter Services
CEO Mark Holleran remembers the first
time Anna Maria visited the overflow
homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix,
walking among the men, respectfully
asking questions and listening to their
stories. Holleran said she showed a genuine
concern for the individuals impacted by her
programs. “It helped our clients, having
someone listen like that.”
Anna Maria’s career in government
honed her leadership abilities and gave her
insight into the importance of grassroots
support. In 2009, she took a chance,
accepted the opportunity to champion a
noble cause, and became the CEO for the
Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. She was
excited to find that the organization
included a corporate side conducting
original research and instituting reforms.
Anna Maria reflects, “I thought it was a
great opportunity to give back to an
organization that really changed my life…
to help create that next generation of
leaders.” Two years later, she was selected
to lead the national movement.
As CEO of Girls Scouts of the USA,
Anna Maria is guiding one of the most
aggressive campaigns in its 100-year
matters related to Military and Veterans
Affairs, Human Services, Faith-based and
Community Initiatives, Child Protective
Services and Housing and Intergovernmen-tal
Affairs. Anna Maria helped create the
first Governor’s Office on Aging, respon-sible
for senior issues, including health,
transportation, housing and more. Under
her leadership, the Office became a
“national best practice” model.
Anna Maria also advised Governor
Napolitano on Latino affairs issues, and is
credited with being a co-founder and
catalyst for the Raul H. Castro Institute at
Phoenix College. She advocated for the
creation of a “do tank” as she saw the need
for a credible organization that could
provide research and support to the state’s
burgeoning Latino population in the areas
of civic participation, education, leadership
and health and human services.
During her career in Arizona, Anna
Maria had many opportunities to demon-strate
her compassion for those in need, her
Anna Maria Chávez ,CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA,
celebrates 100 years of Girl Scouting, declaring 2012 as the
“Year of the Girl”.
Former Ariz. Governor (1975-1977) Raul H. Castro and Anna Maria Chávez, 2006.
Image courtesy of Phoenix College
Image courtesy of Girl Scouts, USA Archives
Anna Maria Chávez
22 23
positively influence the lives of others, she
embodies the key characteristics of a true
leader. Her colleagues have noted that Anna
Maria is a woman of strong character, one
willing to take risks, to balance family,
career and community, and to always lead
with optimism.
She has been recognized with numer-ous
awards for her work, including the San
Antonio ATHENA Organizational Leader-ship
Award. In 2008, she was especially
honored to follow in her mother’s footsteps
and receive a recognition that Maria
Valenzuela Chavéz had been awarded in
2004 for her leadership and advocacy: the
Valle del Sol Profiles of Success Exemplary
Leadership Award.
With the firm belief that “what’s
dreamt is possible,” the young Latina Girl
Scout from Eloy has come full circle, living
her dream of making the world a better
place. Anna Maria Chavéz continues to
provide inspiration to countless girls and
young women, offering the promise that
these future leaders can follow her coura-geous
example and blaze their own trail.
With Anna Maria at the helm, the future
shines with the possibilities that come from
building a pipeline of women leaders who
have the ability to change the nation.
Anna Maria Chávez
history. “To Get Her There” is an effort
with a long-term goal to create gender-balanced
leadership in America within one
generation. She plans to bring a sharp focus
towards building skills for the 21st century
and to engage girls in the areas of science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM).
In a 2012 interview with Katie Couric on
“Good Morning America,” Anna Maria
emphasized, “We can’t waste another
generation of girls. We need to engage
them in the discussions in this country.”
Anna Maria’s path reflects her
trailblazing spirit. Her vision and her
courage have led her from humble roots to
powerful positions in the federal and state
government, and now with Girl Scouts of
the USA. Always using her career to
Anna Maria Chávez , CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, 2009-2011.
Image courtesy of Girl Scouts, USA Archives
Anna Maria Chávez was named CEO of Girl Scouts of the
USA in August, 2011.
Image courtesy of Girl Scouts, USA Archives
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.
