ChicanaDiasporic: A Nomadic Journey of the Activist Exiled

Chicana 1973

In 1973 the Women’s movement has a success, launching the National Women’s Political Caucus first Conference, its political action arm, gathering 20,000 women in Houston to elect a body that reflects a U.S. demographic with a White chair, Black, Brown and White vice chairs, and a Steering Committee with 100 members representative of both ethnic and special interest groups. Chicanas and Republicans worked hard to make those vice chair elections happen. The Mujeres del Partido Raza Unida, along with an unofficial Chicana Caucus slate a Chicana candidate, Rhea Mojica Hammer for vice chair. The Black Women's Caucus along with the Republican Women supported Audrey Rowe Colom.

The NWPC quickly discovers its flaws—not charging for membership to the organization, believing the tide of women’s liberation—in its apex during the 1970s, will encourage and promote its financial support. In the coming years, the American Feminist women will discover the weighty challenge of raising consciousness and funds at the same time.

As national and diverse as the NWPC elected governing body is, it’s advisory committee is still very white, slightly male and situated east of the Mississippi River. A committee that will determine all the special interest groups, promised a seat at the decision making table, will be relegated to “special interest caucus” status, guaranteeing no decision making power. The consolation prize is the guarantee that a single member of each caucus will be elected to the Steering Committee.

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