Relegated to clerical roles, these women founded League of Mexican American Women 50 years ago
Notes from my notebook
Kudos to the Fresno County League of Mexican American Women on their sold-out Golden Jubilee Gala at The Grand 1401 on Saturday (Sept. 9).
The group was founded by Betty Rodríguez, Merce Bencomo, Dolly Arredondo, and Rose Nájera in response to being relegated to secretarial jobs with Latino organizations, like the Mexican American Political Association which was founded in Fresno in 1960.
The league was founded to “promote the advancement of Latinas, through educational attainment, leadership development, cultural enrichment, and volunteer services.”
“Our community continues to need our dedicated attention,” said league president Martha Espinoza.
Women in Visalia, Madera, Modesto, Bakersfield and Sacramento called for help in organizing their own groups. In 1979, the league affiliated itself with the Comisión Femenil Mexicana Nacional, but dropped out after four years to better focus on local issues.
The group has awarded more than $611,000 in scholarships. The funds have been raised mainly through its annual Fiesta Navideña Fashion Show.
The league’s 25th anniversary dinner was held at the Casablanca Social Hall, which was converted from a repair shop in 1997 by the late bail bondsman Albert Ramírez. That place now houses the Superior Court of Fresno, which handles criminal and traffic violations.
A first for Javier’s Mexican Restaurant
Ever since its founding almost 50 years ago, Javier’s Mexican Restaurant has never served a meal on a Sunday. Louie Durán, who died last year, founded the restaurant in 1974 and figured the Sabbath was for families to go to church.
That all changed the first Sunday in September when the doors to the restaurant at 5680 E. Kings Canyon Road opened for a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. brunch. Offerings range from chile verde to scrambled eggs/bacon, and pancakes.
The establishment remains closed on Mondays.
The original MAGA is not associated with Trump
You don’t have to be a golfer to know what MAGA stands for, but bonafide Latino golfers in California know that it stands for the Mexican American Golf Association.
On July 1, 1962 – when the former president who coined the newer version of MAGA was still a teenager – a group of Fresno golfers formed the group after repeatedly being turned away from golf courses for tournament play. One year later, the nonprofit was recognized by the state.
MAGA quickly spread to San Diego, San José, Bakersfield, Madera, Delano and many other cities. It is the largest Latino golfing organization. Arizona and Texas now have chapters. The 2023 state tournament was held in Nevada.
In fact, Louie Durán (mentioned above) used to own Fresno West Golf Course and hosted MAGA tournaments. Durán sold the golf course he renamed Javier’s Fresno West, and the land is now covered by pistachios.
A final note
Kudos to Vida en el Valle reporter María G. Ortiz-Briones for winning the Ethnic Media Services award for best breaking news article. She reported last November on the historic win by Eddie Valero for becoming the first Latino to win reelection to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.
Her story also included Emmanuel Soto becoming only the second Latino to win a seat on the Visalia school board. The county is 67% Latino, the city 53%.
Juan Esparza Loera is editor of Vida en el Valle.
