San Jose’s Raza community has a rich history and tradition of impactful community organizing that goes back to the 1950s and the founding of the local chapter of The Community Service Organization led by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Blanca Alvarado, and many others.
The emergence of United People Arriba and La Confederacion de La Raza Unida led by Ernestina Garcia, Sofia Mendoza, Rachel Silva and Joaquin Brito in the ’60s led to further political and economic empowerment, culminating in today having 5 members of La Raza, including three women, serving on the San Jose City Council.