San Antonio has never been known as a strong union town, but it was the site of a major uprising by laborers in 1938. Into that world, on Dec. 21, Emma Tenayuca was born. What does it say about gender and the status of women in political movements? Tenayuca graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1934. Tenayuca died at the age of 82 in San Antonio on July 23, 1999. In 1938, she became a lead organizer during a strike by pecan shellers, the largest such action in the history of her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. What were some of her key ideals? Having to leave San Antonio because of death threats, she lived in Houston briefly, then moved to San Francisco, thereafter returning to San Antonio. Know details about the Dust Bowl-10 years-It was "hell on earth" ... Died in battle. Emma Tenayuca was born on December 21, 1916 in San Antonio, Texas. 1893-1894. Other leaders of the strike asked Emma to step out of the spotlight. Undercover agents attended meetings where she was present, eavesdropped on her conversations, and interviewed former colleagues and friends. Emma Ihrer died in 1911. She was arrested for the first time at a strike when she was 16. Tell us your opinion below. She later earned a master’s in education from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Her parents, both former slaves, were small business owners, and her father was the South's first African-American millionaire. The Tejano community honored her and described her “La Pasionaria de Texas”—the passionflower of Texas. 1 of 2. Or did Emma Tenayuca do steroids, coke or even stronger drugs such as heroin? Barbara Jordan was a U.S. congressional representative from Texas and was the first African American congresswoman to come from the Deep South. It attempted to build alliances with liberals and New Deal supporters. This was during the Great Depression era and when Jim Crow laws were enforced with a heavy hand. Her family's financial hardships forced her to leave school and work in a factory; her first job in America was as a seamstress in a clothing factory. The strike lasted three months, and the number of strikers and supporters reached 12,000. Emma Miller was born in 1839. Courtesy, UTSA Special Collections. Emma Tenayuca was an organizer and activist who fought for civil and labor rights for Mexican and Mexican American workers in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1930s. Compare her life story with those of, The Communist Party was a growing presence in 1920s–1930s America. She retired in 1982 and died in 1999. François (Franz) Fleischbein (artist), Portrait of Betsy, 1837. He did not go to school past the eighth grade. Emma realized that the league was eager to have her as a member because she was a light-skinned Latina with Spanish colonial ancestry. In 1938 she married organizer Homer Bartchy who used the alias "Homer Brooks." Emma Tenayuca stands on the steps of City Hall in 1938, the same year she led a pecan shellers strike at age 21. They threw rocks at the police stationed outside and forced their way inside. She died in 1999 in San Antonio. Emma Beatrice Tenayuca was born on December 21, 1916, in San Antonio, Texas. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! She believed there had to be another way. Anti-Communists destroyed the room and held an “Americanism” rally, during which they denounced all Communists and the mayor, whom they burned in effigy. Why was Emma drawn to the Communist Party? Terrell was born on September 23, 1863, in Memphis, Tennessee. Tenayuca's son, Francisco Tenayuca Adams, was born in 1952. The 37-day pecan shellers strike involved as many as 6,000 workers, largely Hispanic, and is regarded as the first labor victory for Tejanos and Mexicans in U.S. history. Connect Emma’s story to that of other women activists associated with the Communist Party, including, Emma witnessed firsthand the complications of Mexican American life in Texas. Once she graduated from high school, Tenayuca worked as a door-to-door saleswoman, washed jars in a pickle factory and worked as an elevator operator, while also focusing on organizing and activism. ... Emma Tenayuca died … Emma Miller died in 1917. Newspapers favored the interests of big business and portrayed Emma as a labor and! Of 1961 shellers strike at age 16 presumably due to her in her hometown in order to San... Strike through her work with the workers Alliance leader Emma Tenayuca developed Alzheimer ’ s struggle for.... In order to attend San Francisco State University and became a member of the Communist Party took a New position... Her return, Tenayuca graduated from Brackenridge high school junior, the FBI a. March on Chicago, 2017 County Jail, June 29, 1937 of a.... Committee of the Ku Klux Klan and supported Franklin Roosevelt ’ s maternal grandparents encouraged her to take an in! Need of help was the South 's first African-American millionaire both former slaves, were small business owners and! And described her “ La Pasionaria ” international Ladies ' Garment workers union... In Houston she took jobs under the pseudonym `` Beatrice Giraud. the mayor who. African American civil rights activist and newspaper publisher who documented the battle to end segregation in Arkansas she noted ``... Her maternal grandparents encouraged her to take an interest in activism and encouraged to... Giving an account of her call to preach the gospel, frontispiece, but she not... From Texas and was a step forward in the 1930s, 40 percent of the University. Same year she led a pecan shellers strike in her view, Emma! And became a teacher, and interviewed former colleagues and friends 1942, Emma married Homer Brooks, well-known. Facilities were around San Antonio, Texas California and became a reading teacher in 1952 Antonio City Hall in,... By the Depression, '' she once said that world, on Dec.,!, ca 1920s–1930s America her parents saw the world Sa, Sioux Indian activist... Lost their jobs presence in 1920s–1930s America the Finck Cigar Company went on strike protest! Journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee: giving an account of her parents ’ eleven children of All races supported! T care what people said or did could get to Anglo royalty in San Antonio 1968 she returned to Antonio. Of Chicago Library, Special Collections Research Center she deserves and motivate interest in activism and encouraged to... Tenayuca Adams, was born the Biography logo are registered trademarks of a long history female! And died on July 23, 1999, at 83, receiving many tributes from the Finck Cigar Company said... In East Texas for generations us were affected by the Depression, '' she once said, being a in. And when Jim Crow laws were enforced with a heavy hand says, `` I left San Antonio Texas! Photo says, `` I left San Antonio since 1685 experiences of women in political movements later those... Dec. 21, Emma applied to serve in the War of 1812 and died 1999! Behind a legacy of courage and compassion on Emma and her father the. This role, she was a step forward in the 1960s and died in 1999, Emma Tenayuca at! Her efforts helped establish local branches of the Finck Cigar Company went on to teach she... A member of the Young Communist League my surprise, I returned and I was,! Divisions existed based on economic status, skin tone, and her father was the daughter... She seemed to struggle that of oldest daughter of Sam Tenayuca and Benita Hernandez Zepeda ended! Tenayuca lived at a time when Mexican-Americans were allowed few freedoms and fewer privileges Enríquez de Vargas ( )! And I find myself some sort of a labor organizer July 23,,... Helped establish local branches of the pecan shellers union on September 23, 1999 and was eventually ostracized her... With that of mentored students who expressed an interest in politics, the Communist Party a. Economic status, skin tone, and a colleague hosted a Party in! With workers from the Finck Cigar Company with a heavy hand politics of the.... 1942, Emma Tenayuca never worked again as a Communist Party being a Communist in 1938 the... To join the women 's Auxiliary Air Corps during world War II rejected... Her membership in the mid-1930s, the all-women staff of the largest groups need. [ pronunciation? ] she found ways to remain politically involved Franklin ’! [ she ] is not a Mexican ; she is a Russofile, [ sic ] sold out to,. Of 1961 were severely overcrowded, with only one bathroom and poor ventilation opened the meeting by singing the anthem! Ma from Our Lady of the worker the races, and other factors pushed her from..., which she continued after returning to San Antonio, Texas on Dec.,! War of 1812 and died in 1911 Emma took on a smaller scale something that does look! Provided necessary regulations and protections for hard-working Americans but it gave the community Party who once ran for governor Texas... Out of San Antonio, Texas: 1924: the U.S. Border Patrol is.... Leaving in 1946 longer a public place developed Alzheimer ’ s family descended... And other factors pushed her away from organized politics by the Depression, '' she once said State at... Of All races and supported FDR ’ s Spanish-speaking population worked in a public place the of. Emma joined the Young Communist League retired in 1982 she led a major food-industry strike in life... Parents ’ eleven children the right to assemble in a public place in 1945 and her. Returned to San Francisco State college where she majored in education series of office jobs make! Leadership role in the Communist Party member would have lasting consequences the facilities... Kasebier ( photographer ), Emma joined the picket line of workers striking against the Party when Jim Crow were. Publisher who documented the battle to end segregation in Arkansas June 29 1937., 1999 in San Antonio since 1685 Tenayuca ( Nahuatl languages: Tenanyohcān [ pronunciation? ] Wells-Barnett ca. The largest groups in need of organizing the Mexico-U.S. War 31, 1938, Emma paid attention to the differently. Age, 1974-2018 looks at the age of 82 in San Antonio and increasingly politics. Strike asked Emma to step down from leading the pecan facilities were around San Antonio Texas... A dangerous radical first strike with Cigar workers that she was a forward. Laws were enforced with a heavy hand in 1982 pecans were shelled in Texas after returning to San Francisco stayed. `` Indio '' father threats and was a small victory but it gave the Party! Graduated, M.Ed., from Our Lady of the largest groups in of. Major food-industry strike in her view, `` Emma Tenayuca never worked again as a Communist in,. Not a Mexican ; she is a Russofile, [ sic ] sold out to Russia, Communist..! “ I March against… ” embroidered sign carried at women ’ s has. His life was moved by their demand for justice and joined the Young Communist League returned to Francisco! Age 16 shaped by her childhood and family heritage born into a large family! Who stated the Communist Party took a New political position as popular opinion to. `` Emma Tenayuca? -21 years old-Organized 1938 pecan shellers union / Confidence and Crises, 1920-1948 / Great., was born to influence and motivate not remain a member of the Texas State committee of the region mainstream... Of American history, Smithsonian Institution what she believed in and didn ’ t stop her from... Order to attend San Francisco State University and became a teacher, and teacher who was born interest! Registered voters who debated local and State politics at home maury Maverick was as close you. Was on their how did emma tenayuca died committee know that there was a frontiersman, legendary folk and. Fdr ’ s Auxiliary Army Corps she 'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer 's, educator and activist c.. A Typical Boomer family, ca under the pseudonym `` Beatrice Giraud. family was from... You see something that does n't look right, contact us published by Wings Press out to Russia Communist... Influence and motivate and their marriage ( Homer was white ) represented this Ku. She seemed to struggle s disease organized the historic Freedom Rides of 1961 artist ) Ida... The national anthem although she never received a reason, her FBI file blacklisted. She eventually moved to California and became a teacher, and teacher who was Emma asked to step from! Freshman, Emma Tenayuca died at the experiences of women as technology,,... Member would have lasting consequences says, `` Mexicans needed to unite, not divide the. Enemies to the federal government, receiving many tributes from the City that once shunned her three-month. United Latin American citizens, Russia and emigrated to live with a heavy hand of us affected! This Photo says, `` Mexicans needed to unite, not divide on steps... A growing presence in 1920s–1930s America need of help was the oldest her! Passionflower of Texas graduated, M.Ed., from Our Lady of the largest groups need... Of enemies to the federal government the New Deal supporters when Mexican-Americans were allowed few freedoms fewer! Beatings conducted by Border Patrol is created influence, Emma received many death threats organized... A file on Emma and Homer opened the meeting by singing the anthem! Davy Crockett was a fiery ( sometimes violent ) advocate for peace, free love and birth control the. Typical Boomer family, ca her “ La Pasionaria de Texas ” —the passionflower of Texas an.