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.
24 25
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta
the first Hispanic pioneer families in
Flagstaff in 1905. Arriving in the early
days of the bustling mountain town, the
family worked on the railroad and, later,
the sawmill. They became an important
part of the Mexican community of the
Southside neighborhood, holding social
gatherings at their home and raising funds
for the 1926 construction of Our Lady of
Guadalupe Church.
The second of three children in a
hardworking and entrepreneurial fam-ily,
Liz watched and listened as her father
Remigio participated in and organized
several grass roots efforts to promote civil
rights and cultural understanding, cre-ate
neighborhood leadership, and educate
people on how to organize. From the age
Archuleta family. From left to right: Liz, age 6, father Remigio, brother Esteban, sister Ana and mother Isabel.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
When people meet Elizabeth “Liz” Ar-chuleta
they first notice her vibran-cy,
her laugh and her sparkling eyes. When
they walk away they remember her passion
and commitment to the community. Help-ing
people achieve their full potential has
defined Liz’s life and propelled her career.
At the age of 31, she became the youngest
person to serve as a Coconino County Su-pervisor
and the only Latina to ever hold a
seat on the powerful board. For the past 16
years she has served on the board and solid-ified
her reputation as a passionate advocate
for neighborhoods. It’s an accomplishment
that reflects the contributions she and her
family have made to Northern Arizona and
a tribute to her ancestors who settled in the
area decades ago.
Liz’s maternal great grandparents,
Maximino and Rosa Sanchez, were among Liz Archuleta’s parents, Remigio and Isabel Archuleta.
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta
Providng a Voice, Serving the Public
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta
26 27
and you really have this conviction, then
do what you need to do to and stand up for
yourself.” She knew that meant she should
also stand up for others.
After making a few waves as a student
and building her leadership skills with
involvement in student organizations, Liz
graduated with a dual degree in Spanish
and Speech Communications with a minor
in Business. She went on to work at NAU.
During her nineteen-year career with the
University, Liz developed programs to
encourage Hispanic, African American and
Native American youth to pursue a college
education and to encourage young women
to enter non-traditional careers. Recalling
the pivotal role of her mother, who inspired
Liz and encouraged her to achieve her
dreams, Liz started the Hispanic Mother-
Daughter Program at NAU, a higher
education outreach program for eighth
grade girls and their mothers. Liz also
created one of the first Spanish-language
radio shows in northern Arizona, “La Voz
Hispana,” to offer educational information
and an encouraging voice for those in the
community.
The spirit of grassroots community
building brought Liz into the politi-cal
arena. In 1996, with the support of
the community and her family—raising
$13,000 of her initial campaign funding
through the sales of 2,000 dozen home-made
enchiladas, Liz was elected to the
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
From left to right: Liz’s mom Isabel, sister Ana and Liz.
of nine, she took part in the family business
that was first started by her mother Isabel,
spending hours selling ice cream from the
family’s ice cream truck, making change,
and talking with customers. Rooted in this
spirit of hard work and entrepreneurship,
Liz learned early to devote herself to the
community and to tackle problems with
imagination and professionalism.
Liz’s family instilled in her an under-standing
of the value of education. The
main purpose for her family’s ice cream
truck business was to put Liz, her sister
Ana, and her brother Esteban through col-lege.
After graduating from Coconino High
School, Liz attended Northern Arizona
University (NAU) with a freshman scholar-ship.
In the first year of college, she defied
the expectations of professors who told her
that a woman could not succeed in taking
up both Spanish and Business. In pursu-ing
her education, Liz embraced a lesson
from her father: “Never be afraid to make
waves,” he said. “If you believe in something
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta
Liz with her siblings and parents at Disneyland.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta
28 29
characteristic hands-on approach, Liz
became intimately involved with the trag-edies
surrounding the Shultz Fire and sub-sequent
flash floods. She visited and spoke
with many residents affected by the torrents
of water that swept through District Two’s
Doney Park, Timberline, Hutchinson Acres
and other neighborhoods. Long-time friend
and colleague Kerry Blume, President
& CEO of the United Way of Northern
Arizona, recalls Liz standing in the rain
speaking with a shaken family who had just
escaped their damaged home. “That experi-ence…
speaking with a mother who had
barely gotten her daughter safely out of the
house spurred Liz on to make sure that she
would do everything in her power to make
that neighborhood safe again.”
Liz’s devotion to service has been
recognized with numerous honors in the
past decade. In 2002, Liz became the first
Latina to lead a campaign for the United
Way of Northern Arizona, and as Chairman
of the Board, helped raise more than
Coconino County Board of Supervisors.
She became the first Latina to be elected
to any official position in the 120-year his-tory
of Coconino County, and at the age
of 31, became the youngest person ever
to be elected to the Board of Supervisors.
Liz has continued to represent District 2
for the past 16 years. During this time, she
started the first youth internship programs
in the County, developed new community
outreach and neighborhood leadership
practices, and provided new opportuni-ties
for residents to participate in county
government.
Liz also formed the Sunnyside
Neighborhood Association, a collabora-tion
of resident leaders, parents, the police
department, and the United Way. Liz
represents the interests of her constituents
in local decision-making and at all levels of
government, including shaping water and
public transit policy in northern Arizona.
She serves on commissions focusing on
higher education, affordable housing and
shaping public lands policy at the national
level.
In the summer of 2010, with her
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
Liz Archuleta’s first campaign kickoff for a Coconino
County Board of Supervisor seat, which she won in 1996. Liz Archuleta with Ariz. Gov. Brewer and aides after floods ripped through neighborhoods in her district, 2010.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta
30 31
difference in the lives of others,” says Liz.
“My family is a very special part of my life.”
Liz is motivated by a desire to do, and
her life and career have been peppered
with examples of her dedication to the
community in which she serves. She cares
deeply about other people and is commit-ted
to working in collaboration with others
to solve problems. Kerry Blume reflects,
“Liz has a unique talent. Almost anything
she applies herself to—she does well. The
fact that she chose to dedicate herself to
our community is an amazing gift.” She
exemplifies the positive qualities that are
used to define an extraordinary leader and
a trailblazer, including courage, passion,
humility, and a desire to help others. “I’m
honored to be in public service, to see the
confidence people have in me, knowing that
I am going to be a steward of their gov-ernment
resources.” She adds, “Everyone
should be able to have a voice, whether it
be in government or schools, or in their
neighborhoods.”
Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta
$1 million dollars for health and human
services. Later that same year she received
the Athena Award for most outstand-ing
woman in Flagstaff Leadership and in
2004, was recognized with the Valle del Sol
Exemplary Leadership Award. Those close
to Liz are also quick to perceive her gifts.
Her mentor Dr. Jose Colchado, retired
professor and associate vice president of
Northern Arizona University underscores,
“It doesn’t take long for anyone who first
meets Liz to recognize that the person
before them is extraordinary.”
While she is committed to serving the
people of Coconino County, she is equally
passionate and dedicated to her family,
from her young son Demitrius and her
husband Franklin Willis, to her parents,
sister, brother, niece, aunts and cousins. “As
a mom it’s most important to make sure my
son knows he has many gifts and talents,
and as he grows, to use his gifts to make a
Liz with son Demetrius and husband Franklin Willis.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
Liz played a key role in creating this park established at the site of the historic sawmill to recognize the contributions of
Hispanic & African-American sawmill and railroad workers to Flagstaff.
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Archuleta
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.
