Richard Orosco Mendoza Jr.
was born on January 10, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas. While attending Burbank High School he married his first wife and dropped out.
When I first went to Burbank, it was three quarters white, and we were always getting into it with the white dudes... shcool teachers wouldn't help the Mexican students at Burbank. The majority of white teachers wouldn't want to teach us, unless you were in sports.
(Interviewer: Robert Mendoza, Palo Alto College Student, Maymester 2003)
Lydia Nevarez (nee Maltos) was born on October 13, 1951 in Crystal City, Texas. Lydia was actively involved with the Crystal City High School walk-out of 1969. I remember going to my grandmother's house and my mom told my grandmother that I was going to be in the walkout and she said in Spanish, "Mijita, pero ellos son los de poder," meaning, "they are the ones with the power, we really shouldn't do anything". And my mom said, "No, but that's not right, times have changed, things need to change." I had strong parents who believed in change, so their support had a tremendous impact on me. They said, "Okay, if changes need to be made, then you need to do it and we'll back you up." At that young age, it made me feel like we're right and no one could tell us otherwise. I felt very empowered.
(Interviewer: Melida Nevarez, Palo Alto College Student, Spring 2003)
