Terri Cruz
Teresita del Niño Jesús "Terri" Cruz (1927–2017) was a community advocate and a founder of Chicanos Por La Causa.[1]
Early life
[edit]Teresa Cruz was born in Tucson, Arizona.[2][3][4] Her parents were from Hermosillo and Durango.[1] She was orphaned as a young child and raised by her aunt and uncle in Salt River Valley. After eighth grade, she left school and worked as a house cleaner.[2] She began working with her local community by campaigning for John F. Kennedy.[1] After twenty-two years, she decided to earn her GED and pursue a career in social services for the poor.[2]
Career
[edit]Cruz worked with a War on poverty program.[citation needed] While in that position, she was approached by Chicano activists, including Joe Eddie Lopez, asking to use the spirit duplicator.[citation needed] She became involved with their group, which became Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC).[2] Cruz helped found Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) in 1969.[1] Cruz served on CPLC's Board of Directors until she was hired by the organization.[5]
In 1970, she as instrumental in organizing a boycott against Union High District in which 2,000 Mexican American students refused to attend, leading to reforms including hiring more Latino teachers and counselors.[5]
Cruz worked at CPLC until her death in 2017.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Cruz had eight children.[1]
Awards
[edit]- 2023: Arizona Women's Hall of Fame[5]
- 2012: Arizona Latina Trailblazer[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Fallece Terri Cruz, de Chicanos Por La Causa". The Arizona Republic (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b c d e "Here We Stand: Chicanos Por La Causa and Arizona's Chicano/a Resurgence by Chicanos Por La Causa - Issuu". issuu.com. 2019-05-30. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Voz, Beatriz Limón, La. "Terri Cruz: "Hasta que Dios me lleve"". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Gómez, Daniel Gonzalez and Laura. "Terri Cruz, civil-rights activist and 'mother' of Chicanos Por La Causa, dies at 89". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ a b c "Teresa (Terri) Cruz". AWHF. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "Arizona Hispanic community leader Teresa Cruz dies at age 89". AP News. 2017-08-18. Retrieved 2024-08-27.