Spring Event Recap
The History of
MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY , 1920-1960
For our spring event on May 7 the MVHA partnered with the Before Silicon Valley project , a San Jose State University Library initiative focused on chronicling the history of Mexican American cannery and agricultural workers in Santa Clara Valley from the 1920s through 1960s .
To start the event , the MVHA ’ s own Nicholas Perry shared a photo slideshow on the rich and bittersweet history of Mountain View ’ s early 20th century Mexican American neighborhoods : the Washington-Jackson Neighborhood and Castro City .
Then , Dr . Margo McBane introduced the Before Silicon Valley Project and shared a mini-documentary : “ The San Jose Chapter of the CSO , 1950s .” After Dr . McBane and her team ’ s remarks , Dr . Gregorio Mora-Torres took the mic for the event ’ s featured presentation on Mexican Civil Rights in Santa Clara County in the 1950s , including discussing the story of labor organizer , activist , and writer Ernesto Galarza .
Above : Dr . Margo McBane , Ph . D . introduces the Before Silicon Valley Project : Mexican Cannery and Agricultural Workers of Santa Clara County , 1920-1960 .
Left : San Jose State University Professor Gregorio Mora-Torres speaks about the history of Mexican American Civil Rights in Santa Clara Valley .
Left : Guests enjoyed fresh Mexican pan dulce ( sweet bread ) and Mexican sodas graciously provided by the Before Silicon Valley project .
A special moment at the event was when Elena Robles was honored for her special contributions to Mountain View and local Mexican American history . In the 1970s , Elena conducted oral history interviews of Mountain View ’ s Mexican American families . Her interviews were published as part of the oral history book series Bittersweet : Memories of Old Mountain View and , most recently , used by the researchers of the Before Silicon Valley project . These important historical records have become priceless windows to the past , especially for the descendants of the individuals interviewed .
The event organizers were very pleased to see a full house of attendees at the Adobe Building with a great mix of new and familiar faces . We hope to see many of you again at our event on August 6 ! For those who missed it , many of the materials presented will be available on the work-in-progress Before Silicon Valley project website at https :// library . sjsu . edu / b4sv ( expected completion date is September 30 ).
Above : Descendants of Simon and Emma Sias , including MVHA board members Nick Perry ( right ) and Lisa Garcia ( center ), smile for photo with with a special guest at the event , Elena Robles ( third from right ). In the 1970s , Elena conducted oral history interviews of Mountain View ’ s Mexican American families , including the Sias family .
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