Our History
Mujeres Ayudando la Raza (MAR) was founded during the spring quarter of 1990 at the University of California, Davis by three founding mothers, Monica Mireles (far left), Lorena Torres (second from the right), and Sonia Cortes.
"After observing other support groups, we did not feel our needs were met. What we were seeking was a group specifically for Chicanas and Latinas. Our first year away from home was an experience that some of us wanted to share with other Chicanas and Latinas to build on some sort of support network here at UC Davis campus. By the end of the year, we all came to have a common understanding; and the friendships that grew became a retention mechanism to ensure our roles as students on campus. Mujeres Ayudando la Raza was created so that life of the Chicana and Latina at UC Davis would be academically stable, as well as being socially and culturally enriched. We are dedicated to creating enduring bonds of friendship and to share our strength by committing ourselves to the community.
"By June of 1990, we were determined to create a group that would meet our needs. Thus, we prepared to meet in the Fall of 1990. We registered our new organization with the University as Mujeres Olmecas. We felt this name was appropriate since it originated in Mexico and was the name of a native tribe that meant 'mother culture.' As our constituency grew, we decided we needed a name more representative of our Latina members. A unanimous decision was made to call our group Mujeres Ayudando la Raza."
As we have acquired more members from many different backgrounds, MAR has evolved to become an all-inclusive organization that welcomes members of all races/ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Our brother organization, Hermanos Macehual, was established a year before MAR, in 1989, at UC Davis.
"After observing other support groups, we did not feel our needs were met. What we were seeking was a group specifically for Chicanas and Latinas. Our first year away from home was an experience that some of us wanted to share with other Chicanas and Latinas to build on some sort of support network here at UC Davis campus. By the end of the year, we all came to have a common understanding; and the friendships that grew became a retention mechanism to ensure our roles as students on campus. Mujeres Ayudando la Raza was created so that life of the Chicana and Latina at UC Davis would be academically stable, as well as being socially and culturally enriched. We are dedicated to creating enduring bonds of friendship and to share our strength by committing ourselves to the community.
"By June of 1990, we were determined to create a group that would meet our needs. Thus, we prepared to meet in the Fall of 1990. We registered our new organization with the University as Mujeres Olmecas. We felt this name was appropriate since it originated in Mexico and was the name of a native tribe that meant 'mother culture.' As our constituency grew, we decided we needed a name more representative of our Latina members. A unanimous decision was made to call our group Mujeres Ayudando la Raza."
As we have acquired more members from many different backgrounds, MAR has evolved to become an all-inclusive organization that welcomes members of all races/ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Our brother organization, Hermanos Macehual, was established a year before MAR, in 1989, at UC Davis.
Purpose and Goals
Purpose: to create a support group primarily for but not exclusive to Chicana/Latina students, whose goals are to:
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Serving our Community
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We engage in many different community service opportunities by offering to volunteer for local organizations and events.
In addition to aiding other groups, we host our own community service events, Migrant Center and Youth Conference. We work hard year-round to plan and fund-raise for these events. It is a core belief within Mujeres Ayudando la Raza that we show our strength by committing ourselves to our community. |