Elvira - by Elvira C Hernandez (Paperback)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>ELVIRA is the heartrending memoir of a Mexican immigrant woman who fights for a meaningful life in a land once alien, now native. It is a story of survival and of personal tragedy, cultural clash, and racial conflict. After nearly 50 years of hard labor as a farmworker, Elvira later became a successful advocate for migrants and senior women.<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p><em><strong>ELVIRA </strong></em>is the POIGNANT LIFE STORY OF A GIRL whose family IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES to escape the violence of the MEXICAN REVOLUTION (1910-1921). </p><p>- Her father, Jacobo Chávez, first found WORK ON THE RAILROAD in Texas and far-away states. </p><p>- Remaining in El Paso, the WOMEN were obliged to LIVE IN CRAMPED BOXCARS WITH THEIR CHILDREN and to SEEK WORK AS DOMESTICS. </p><p>- Later, her father found a better paying job in the MEAT-PACKING PLANTS OF KANSAS CITY. </p><p>- Fatefully, the Chavezes were then RECRUITED TO SCOTTSBLUFF, NEBRASKA where the ENTIRE FAMILY - some as young as five years old - LABORED IN THE SUGAR-BEET AND POTATO FIELDS. </p><p>Elvira weaves into her FAMILY HISTORY heartrending stories of BACKBREAKING LABOR, ILLNESS AND DEATH, and the challenges of RACISM and of LIFE BETWEEN TWO VERY DIFFERENT CULTURES. </p><p>- TUBERCULOSIS strikes several family members. </p><p>- Poisonings from BOOTLEG WHISKEY. </p><p>- RACIAL CONFLICT with Anglo-Americans and Blacks. </p><p>- SUPPRESSION OF SPANISH by teachers. </p><p>- Severe RESTRICTIONS ON GIRLS' BEHAVIOR. </p><p>- CONTROL of family members BY PATRIARCHAL MEN. </p><p>- MEXICAN CULTURAL PRACTICES: courtship and marriage; festive celebrations. </p><p>Now married, Elvira and her husband Maique STRIVE TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE for their family. </p><p>- Maique frees himself from his FATHER'S DOMINATION. </p><p>- After many years of day labor, they manage to rent their own farm and BECOME SHARECROPPERS. </p><p>- HER CHILDREN graduate and leave home to FIND MEANINGFUL LIVES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY. </p><p>Elvira ENDURES THE EARLY DEATHS of her husband and two of her sons. She STRUGGLES TO SURVIVE in the face of a meager education and her lack of skills other than farm work. </p><p>- She is forced to take a series of menial jobs to SUPPORT TWO YOUNG SONS. </p><p>- She seeks out and becomes successful in positions ADVOCATING FOR MIGRANT FARMWORKERS, ORGANIZING A WOMEN'S SENIOR CENTER, AND SERVING AS A "FOSTER GRANDMOTHER" IN A MIGRANT CHILD CARE CENTER. </p><p>Elvira RETIRES AT AGE 89. </p><p>- She spends her summers WORKING IN HER VEGETABLE GARDEN and TENDING HER BELOVED FLOWERS. </p><p>- In 2012, ELVIRA DIES AT home at the age of 102. </p><p> </p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><p>"Fabulous! Brilliant! Phenomenal! The writing is so authentic, and what a memory she had. A wonderful, wonderful work." - <em>Garland D. Bills, Professor of Linguistics Emeritus, University of New Mexico </em></p><p>"The text is dazzling. I loved hearing Elvira's voice. This is the clearest rendition I have encountered of the lives of Mexican-Americans in those years. The introduction and the linguistic and cultural explanations are cogent and rewarding." <em>- Anne Fairbrother, Associate Professor of Education, State University of New York, Oswego. </em></p><p>"You have in your hands something first-rate. Congratulations. As a member of the family, the effect of the book is tremendously emotional. The intimate style makes you feel as if the author were talking to you directly. I enjoyed it immensely! Bravo!" <em>- Hernan Chavez, Trovador. Elvira's nephew, Colima, Mexico. </em></p><p>"What a gift to future generations! Elvira's values come through loud and clear - family and faith, her love for the migrant workers, her senior ladies, and the day-care children. What a tough, resilient, determined, and dignified lady!" <em>- Jean Hurtado, Bilingual Teacher retired, Los Angeles Unified School District. </em></p><p>"Elvira's voice has a historical and literary appeal that resounds far beyond her immediate family. Commentaries by the compiler deepen appreciably our understanding of the language usage and cultural conditions of the period." <em>- George M. Galaza, Deputy Director retired, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation </em></p><p>"The writing captures beautifully my grandma's manner of speaking. I could actually hear her talking. It's such a rich compilation of her life history that I've heard since childhood. I loved the chapter about the one million tortillas." <em>- Michael F. Hernandez, Elvira's eldest grandson, Elk Grove, California.</em></p><p> </p><br>
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