ChicanaDiasporic: A Nomadic Journey of the Activist Exiled

Self Identification

Rhea Mojica Hammer, first vice chairperson of the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC) from 1973-1977, likes to tell the story of being at an NWPC executive board meeting where ideas for disseminating information about organization happenings to the 8,000 members in 50 states were being considered. The idea of creating a newsletter came up, followed by the suggestion that one of the pages of the newsletter highlight Chicana and Latina concerns. An additional suggestion was made that the page be in Spanish. Rhea, one of two women of color vice chairpersons, and the only Latina politely declined the offer of the page in the newsletter reminding the body that Chicanas for the most part are bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English. Later one of the white feminists asked her why she dismissed the idea of the Spanish language page. Rhea responded the idea would certainly be considered if the body of Chicanas had offered it, but since it wasn't necessary so it wasn't needed. She also offered that when Chicanas had demands to present to the Executive Committee, they would like to not be reminded that they had been given a page in the newsletter in Spanish and really, what more did they need.

When Rhea was elected vice chair of the NWPC in 1973, it was as the candidate of the Raza Unida Party. The Chicano movement in eleven states had created the groundwork for a legal third party, the Raza Unida Party. In Texas candidates for many elected offices were run under this ticket—from Governor to school boards, Chicanos were running and making a decent show of votes. The women of the Raza Unida, many young and college educated, managed the campaigns and election strategies across Texas. When the women’s movement came calling, the expectation of Raza Unida women was acceptance within the organization as an autonomous caucus—that their third party existence would be on par with the Democrat and Republican parties. The significance of the influence of the Raza Unida women could be seen in their campaign to get Rhea elected as an NWPC executive officer. 
Rhea and Lupe shared a suite at the conference. This room became the headquarters for the Mujeres of the Raza Unida and by extension the unofficial Chicana Caucus. The suite had two bedrooms and a large living area where Chicanas brought in “frijoles y tortillas, typewriters and a mimeograph machine” with the goal of nominating and electing a Raza Unida Party affiliated member to one of the executive slots of the NWPC. The Chicanas had great momentum heading into this Houston conference having made their political acumen and strength in numbers clear, at the Texas Women’s Political Caucus state conference held prior to the national. Raza Unida women had made a deal with Francis “Sissy” Farenthold to support her election as NWPC chair in return for her support of their candidate, Ramsey Muniz for governor. 

This page has paths: