This past March, a core comité of Chingonas made history in an unforgettable celebration of women’s history in East San José! In partnership with La Raza Historical Society, History Park San José, and Mosaic America, the co-sponsored Women's Heritage Celebration attracted over 4,000 attendees and will go down in history as the first all-women’s lowrider exhibition in the region. Under the leadership of Rosanna Alvarez, volunteer organizers included Eliza Arias, Dulce Fernandez, Angelina Loyola, Ana Lilia Soto, Ketzal Gomez, Mia Hernandez, and Corina Herrera-Loera. In addition to interactive activities presented by History San José staff members and live performances presented by Mosaic America, La Raza Historical Society supported the work of the volunteer organizers toward featuring a variety of women-owned small businesses, the first public performance by Calpulli Ocelocihuatl, a special appearance by Santa Clara County’s 8th Poet Laureate Yosimar Reyes, and a lineup of twelve Raza based poets and storytellers, including: Ana Lilia Soto, Elodia Esperanza Benitez, Maria Elena Cruz, Maribel Martinez, Marissa Martinez, Mayra Flores, Mia Xochil, Rebecca Perez Ochoa, Rosanna Alvarez, Sendy Tapia, Suzy Huerta Quezada, and Yesenia Villa. Eastside Chicana photographer Marlene Chavez del Hierro captured the unforgettable event.
