“We will always have challenges in life, in different ways. Because God will test our weaknesses and strengths”.

These are words that Guadalupe always keeps in mind. Guadalupe arrived to the US when she was only 15 years old. The US was the country she went to school, got married, worked, and formed a family. In this country she made a life for herself. Guadalupe has sisters in the US that encouraged her to migrante. She clearly remembers, “they wanted me to come over... I was coming to study and work. But, more than anything to work and send money to my mother and father because they were over there [Mexico]”. Guadalupe crossed the border in Tijuana on a pick up truck with two americans driving in the front. She was laying in the back of the truck, and before she knew it she was inside the US.

In 1967 she arrived safe and sound, but her parents had stayed in Mexico. The first year was very difficult for her, she simply missed her parents. They were her motivation and support. But, without a doubt Guadalupe believes that coming to the US was the best decision she could have made. Years later her father also arrived to the US under the Bracero Program and was able to get her mother permission to come to the US.

At the age of 15, Guadalupe had only finished two years of middle school in Mexico. In the US, due to family circumstances she was also not able to finish school. Her sisters in the US had families, and she was incharge of babysitting the kids at home. Guadalupe says, “I was young, I should've worked to have a career... as Hispanics we need to give more support to each other, think about the future of others. Every time I see a young person I tell them, prepare yourself, study, put in the effort, there is nothing like having an education”. Although she never finished school, Guadalupe continues to educate herself. She is currently taking English night classes to prepare herself for the citizenship exam.

Guadalupe was married for 17 years. Her marriage ended due to verbal and psychological abuse from her ex-husband. She finished paying off the mortgage, kept moving forward, searched for resources, and began to go to therapy sessions. Guadalupe uses therapy for personal self-growth, and to better handle difficult situations. She feels that Chicago has treated her well. Guadalupe now enjoys to be an active community member. She goes to school from 6-8pm, works in the morning, and is a member of Taller de Jose. She is most proud of her children, and for the way she kept them motivated to get an education. Guadalupe is mother of two, both of which she kept a close and trustworthy relationship.

The greatest influence in Guadalupe’s life was always her mother. She says, “My mother gave me confidence and assurance”. After her mother passed away, she found a support system in her daughter and grandchild who lives in Kentucky. Her family was grown, her only son is married to an American girl. Therefore, her grandchild doesn’t speak Spanish but Guadalupe loves having a family with different cultures.

The injustices

Guadalupe has been working at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for almost 20 years. During work hours she was injured. The supervisor refused to report the incident, proceeded to harass Guadalupe verbally, and refuses to give guadalupe supplies when she requests them. Unfortunately, this type of injustice is seen very often, there are persons who enjoy taking advantage of other, says Guadalupe. Last year, Guadalupe filled her income taxes. The person helping her pocketed $600 in addition to the service fees charged. Guadalupe filled a lawsuit and hired lawyers. The case is still under investigation. Despite the injustrices Guadalupe has suffer she continues to move forward.

There is now a light bulb that immediately goes off in Guadalupe every time she sees injustice or is experiencing injustice herself. At Latina Women in Action, Guadalupe enrolled in a 9 week course. The courses included topics such as violence, injustice, and self-esteem. Thanks to this course, she was able to learn when is the appropriate time to stop a situation before it gets out of hand, how to say “no” to injustices, and how to identify when someone is being unjust.

So where's home for Guadalupe? “Its 50/50”, says Guadalupe. “I can’t forget the moments I had in Mexico, free, under the sun, with no firearms, no dangers, everything was pure and wonderful”. However, she doesn’t deny that the US  has also treated her well.

-Written by Vanessa Huerta