Sanchez, Graciela

Oral history interview with Graciela Sanchez, 2004, June 25- July 2

Sound recording, master: 5 sound discs (5 hrs., 30 min.) : digital 2 5/8 in.
Sound recording, duplicate: 4 cassettes Transcript: 91 p.

An interview of Graciela Sanchez conducted 2004 June 25 and July 2 by Cary Cordova for the Archives of American Art, in San Antonio, Tex. Sánchez speaks of her family background, her familys move to Chicago, return to San Antonio, and cultural traditions; San Antonios Chili Queens; activism in the community; high school, attending Yale University; MEChA; Gloria Anzaldúa and This Bridge Called My Back; working for the Southwest Voter Registration Project; MALDEF, Mexican American Legal Defense; the foundation of Esperanza Peace and Justice Center with Susan Guerra and others; going to Cuba to study film; the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center;

the values of being (3z(Bbuena gente,(3y z(Bgood people(3y(B; Ellas, a Latina lesbian organization; working with Amy Kastely, lawyer; Mujer Artes; her film (3z(BNo Porque lo Diga Fidel Castro(3y(B; working for AIDS prevention/education; the newsletter (3z(BThe Interchange(3y (Bwhich became (3z(BLa Voz de Esperanza(3y(B; Stonehaven Ranch, a retreat location; the film screenings (3z(BOther America(3y(B; the complete de-funding of Esperanza in 1997 and the four year litigation with the city of San Antonio; trying to save the building La Gloria and other endeavors taken on by the Esperanza; the Cuentos Project and recent events sponsored by the Esperanza. Sánchez also recalls Audre Lorde, Luz Calvo, Eduardo Diaz, Liliana Wilson Grez, Cherríe Moraga, Cynthia Perez, Genevieve Vaughn, Franco Mondini-Ruiz, and others.

This interview is part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and administrators.

How to Use this Interview

• Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.
• Transcript available on line at http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/sanche04.htm
• A transcript of this interview is available online.
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