Teresa "Terri" Cruz Booklet Booklet

              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.
32 33
Teresa “Terri” Cruz
who was born in 1927, has strong memories
of her parents who passed away when she was
five years of age. She recalls fondly how each
Sunday the family would walk to church to-gether,
her father Francisco holding her hand
and gently telling her, “Remember mijita,
you’re always surrounded by angels so you
have to be good.” He was known to regularly
invite “hobos” riding the trains to join them
in their humble home for a meal lovingly
prepared by her mother, who would make
sure they also had a packed lunch to take with
them.
Terri and her siblings, Angel and
Carmen, grew up with her aunt Jovita
Lovio, who raised a total of twelve orphaned
children. She attended school until the eighth
grade, when her aunt decided it was time
for her to end her education. In 1942, when
Terri was fifteen years old, the family moved
to a small apartment in Phoenix where Jovita
found a job in a local laundry, cleaning clothes
for servicemen at Luke Air Field. Terri
decided to go to work at the laundry as well,
pressing handkerchiefs for 25 cents an hour.
Not long after her start at the laundry, she
met Arturo Cruz and eloped. They started
their family in 1944 and remained married
for 22 years. During that time, Terri raised
eight children, including two sets of twins:
Arthur, Artemisa, Carlos, Gerardo, Helen,
Henry, Dorothy and Maria (Lupita). In order
to help support her growing family, she began
working as a maid in Phoenix, securing her
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
Terri’s father Francisco Martinez at the family ranch in
Mexico, 1931.
The trail that Teresa “Terri” Cruz has
blazed throughout her life demonstrates
an enduring commitment to serving eco-nomically
and socially disadvantaged people.
She will be the first to tell you that she never
planned her future, but courageously took
on whatever challenge or opportunity came
her way, and in her words, “ just put it in the
Lord’s hands.” The result has been an incred-ible
journey that has taken her from cleaning
houses for two decades to a long career in
social services and community advocacy.
The families of both Francisco and
Guadalupe Martinez can be traced back to
northern Mexico. They met and married in
Tucson, Ariz. and had three children. Terri,
Teresa “Terri” Cruz
Caring for Community, Fighting for Fairness
Terri’s grandfather Clemente Rodriguez (Papa Clemente:) and his family. Top row middle: mother Guadalupe Martinez.
Top row second from left: Clemente Rodriguez. Second from right: Aunt Jovita.
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
Teresa “Terri” Cruz
34 35
and neighborhood councils.
In 1964 Terri joined the LEAP coun-cil
(Leadership and Education for the
Advancement of Phoenix), a clearinghouse
for federal programs designed to better con-ditions
in impoverished areas of the city. She
served on this council for 13 years. During
this time, she earned her GED, learned to
type, and started as a Neighborhood Youth
Corp supervisor under SER (Service and
Employment Redevelopment), a job train-ing
agency she had helped establish through
LEAP. As a job developer in SER, she pro-vided
training and developed her networks to
help hundreds of individuals find work with
local companies.
Through her work, she encouraged
young people to think about careers and
to further their education. As her children
grew, she passed on the values of hard work
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
U.S. Sen. Dennis DeConcini presenting Terri Cruz with the Golden Heart Award, 1978.
first jobs through Friendly House, a social
service agency that provided job training and
placement. She worked as a maid for families
as prominent as the Fannins, Goldwaters,
and the Diamonds from the 1940s to the
early 1960s, when she was encouraged to
run for precinct committeewoman in the
district where she lived. She recalls thinking,
“There’s no way I will win, nobody knows
me.” When they told her she had won, she
didn’t believe it.
Terri later became involved in a Title V
Home Management Program. Between bal-ancing
family life and her job cleaning offices,
she volunteered to demonstrate food prepara-tion
using federal food commodities. Terri
loved to cook and help the local women who
were unfamiliar with much of the canned
food they received. She recalls that when the
program was finished she was asked to stand
and give a speech about her experience. She
was very nervous, but her heartfelt remarks
received a standing ovation.
These experiences are credited by Terri
as moving her towards her present career
path. In 1966 she was selected, through a
Title V program, to train as a receptionist at
the Legal Aid Society. She learned the skills
needed while on the job: how to answer a
phone, take messages, screen calls and com-municate
with lawyers and judges. She served
as a Spanish translator and became familiar
with local War on Poverty social programs
Teresa “Terri” Cruz
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
In 1972, Terri worked as a job developer for Operation SER.
Teresa “Terri” Cruz Teresa “Terri” Cruz
36 37
Drawing on networks established since
the 1960s, Terri developed relationships
with professionals in the community. Her
strengths lay in her ability to solve prob-lems
by utilizing her extensive contacts and
friendships in federal, state and local agencies,
community organizations, churches, unions,
and many businesses. One of her philosophies
was “to help people help themselves” in any
way possible. As a tribute to her caring and
devotion, CPLC named a portion of their
corporate center the “Terri Cruz Social
Service Center” and also named a program
in her honor. The “Terri Cruz Social Service
Program” provides one-time emergency
financial assistance to hundreds of families
in Maricopa and Pima counties to prevent
individuals and families from being evicted,
becoming homeless, or becoming in debt
financially due to the unexpected funeral
expenses of an immediate family member.
Edmundo Hidalgo, the current president
and CEO of CPLC, reflects on her role dur-ing
the founding years of the organization:
“She is credited with keeping the focus of
that young group of folks whose foremost
priority was serving the community. So over
the last 43 years, Terri continues to be that
conscience for our organization.”
Her outstanding service to the com-munity
has resulted in numerous awards for
Terri, including recognition from LULAC,
the Maricopa Bar Association, and the
Salvation Army. In 1984 the United States
Hispanic Senior Citizens Conference lauded
her for her dedication to the elderly, and
the City of Phoenix proclaimed June 25,
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
From right: Elisa de la Vara, Terri Cruz, Linda Mazon
Gutierrez and husband Jaime Gutierrez during a dedica-tion
of a CPLC apartment complex in Nogales, Arizona.
and community action to them as well,
often bringing her children with her as she
canvassed neighborhoods, raised funds for
community causes, and helped neighbors
with home repairs.
Attending the early organizing meetings,
Terri soon became involved in the formation
of Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC). She was
elected to the first board of directors as secre-tary,
and signed the articles of incorporation
in 1969. She helped lay the foundation for the
organization in its early years, stepping off the
Board in 1977. Four years later, they asked
her to accept a contract job with CPLC to
conduct an elderly study in the local neigh-borhoods.
This transformed into a permanent
position. While she initially focused on the
needs of the elderly, her position expanded
into social services counseling for all ages,
dealing with issues such as social security,
medical needs, food stamps, and landlord
problems.
Terri with her granddaughters Elizabeth and Rebecca Cruz during their “Fiesta de Quinceañera”.
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
Teresa “Terri” Cruz
38 39
the road and wave them over.” She says, “You
do it because it’s in your heart to do it. You
don’t do it because you want to be recognized
and have someone pat you on the back.”
Terri Cruz has gained immense respect
from the community. With her unassuming
yet determined manner she has met every
challenge head on and in the process touched
the lives of thousands with her giving heart.
Affectionately known as “the Mother of
Chicanos Por La Causa,” Terri is truly a
champion of the people.
Teresa “Terri” Cruz
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
Terri Cruz in her office at Chicanos Por La Causa, 2011.
1999, as Teresa Cruz Day for the “com-mendable
accomplishments achieved by this
true champion of Phoenix and the Hispanic
community.” In 2001 she received the Jewell
Award, presented to women who have “given
generously and selflessly for the betterment
of the community.” Congressman Ed Pastor
honored her in the United States House of
Representatives for this award.
A lifelong example of service to oth-ers
is apparent through Terri’s paid work
and through thousands of volunteer hours
dedicated to ensuring that individuals’ needs
are completely met. She has served on many
boards, committees and commissions at the
local and state level, whether advocating for
senior citizens, human rights, health care
issues or women’s issues. She has no plans to
retire soon and continues to dream of new
ways to help those in need. Community
activist Rosie Lopez describes her long-time
friend as someone “who inspires everyone
with her age and energy, her love of life and
love of people…she is rich in resources.”
Any recognition for her community con-tributions
results in a humble response from
Terri. Drawing on her faith, she credits God
for every success in her life and every chance
to help others. She reflects, “I do it because
it comes naturally. It’s something that was
instilled in me since the day I was born. Just
thinking about my dad calling the people to
eat – he didn’t have to stand in the middle of
Image courtesy of Terri Cruz
Terri with Jewell McFarland Lewis, daughter of former Ariz.
Gov. Ernest W. McFarland. Terri was awarded the Jewell
award, March 27, 2011.
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.
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