Abstract

Abstract:

This article places María Cárdenas and her political involvement at the forefront to illustrate how her ascension into the political arena redefined one meaning of Chicana politics. Cardenas participated heavily in La Raza Unida Party and the National Chicana Political Caucus, allowing her to build networks for political support. She spearheaded the development of single-member districts to help underserved neighborhoods in San Angelo, Texas. In 1978, Cárdenas ran a successful campaign and became the first Chicana elected to the city council. The author employs the term Chicana politics to highlight how Cárdenas asserted her rights as a woman of Mexican ancestry in terms of family and community to resist and challenge power structures.

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