Elvira

<p><strong><em>ELVIRA </em></strong>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><ul> <li>Her father Jacobo Chávez first found WORK ON THE RAILROAD in <strong>Texas</strong> and far-away states. </li> <li>Remaining in El Paso the WOMEN were obliged to LIVE IN CRAMPED BOXCARS WITH THEIR CHILDREN and to SEEK WORK AS DOMESTICS. </li> <li>Later her father found a better paying job in the MEAT-PACKING PLANTS OF KANSAS CITY. </li> <li>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. </li></ul><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><ul> <li>TUBERCULOSIS strikes several family members. </li> <li>Poisonings from BOOTLEG WHISKEY. </li> <li>RACIAL CONFLICT with Anglo-Americans and Blacks. </li> <li>SUPPRESSION OF SPANISH by teachers. </li> <li>Severe RESTRICTIONS ON GIRLS’ BEHAVIOR. </li> <li>CONTROL of family members BY PATRIARCHAL MEN. </li> <li>MEXICAN CULTURAL PRACTICES: courtship and marriage; festive celebrations. </li></ul><p>Now married Elvira and her husband Maique STRIVE TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE for their family. </p><ul> <li>Maique frees himself from his FATHER’S DOMINATION. </li> <li>After many years of day labor they manage to rent their own farm and BECOME SHARECROPPERS. </li> <li>HER CHILDREN graduate and leave home to FIND MEANINGFUL LIVES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY. </li></ul><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><ul> <li>She is forced to take a series of menial jobs to SUPPORT TWO YOUNG SONS. </li> <li>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. </li></ul><p>Elvira RETIRES AT AGE 89. </p><ul> <li>Spends her summers WORKING IN HER VEGETABLE GARDEN and TENDING HER BELOVED FLOWERS. </li> <li>In 2012 ELVIRA DIES AT home at the age of 102. </li></ul>