Sofia Mendoza Collection
Scope and Content
This collection consists of materials relating to the personal life and political accomplishments of San Jose based activist Sofia Mendoza.
Dates
- Creation: 1934-2015
Creator
- Sofia Mendoza Family (Person)
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Although San José Public Library’s California Room does physically own all archival materials in its possession, it does not necessarily own the intellectual property rights (copyright) associated with all items (Title 17, Chapter 2, Section 202, “Ownership of copyright as distinct from ownership of material objects). Publishing materials from our holdings requires written permission from the San José Public Library, along with proper credit given to our institution. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Lead Librarian of the California Room. Users may reproduce materials for teaching, research, and private study in accordance with fair use on the condition that they give proper credit to the California Room, San José Public Library.
Biographical / Historical
Sofia Mendoza was born to Margarita and Tiburcio Magdaleno on December 22nd, 1934 in Fillmore, California. As the eldest child of two activist parents, Mendoza learned the value of working with others to create change.
Years later, Mendoza took on the issue of unequal education practices while her son was attending Roosevelt Junior High School in San Jose, California. Her son and other students were banned from speaking Spanish on campus, were subject to corporal punishment, and were denied reading materials. Mendoza organized the parents and students in a walkout and several rallies that resulted in major policy reforms.
Among Mendoza’s many subsequent accomplishments are founding the Community Alert Patrol (CAP) and United People Arriba. She also helped create the Family Service Association of Santa Clara County and served on the boards of the Independent Police Auditor Advisory Committee and the Community Child Care Council.
She died in 2015.
Extent
2 boxes ((1.5 linear feet) )
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection comprises commendations, certificates, awards, photographs and negatives, articles, and other publications.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series: Series I: Awards and Certificates; Series II: Photographs and Documents.
Physical Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the California Room.
Custodial History
Prior to acquisition by the California Room, this collection was in the custody of the Sofia Mendoza Family.
Bibliography
Regua, Nannette. Sofia Mendoza: Mother of the Chicano Movement in San Jose. 2014.
Processing Information
Processed by Estella Inda.
- Title
- Guide to the Sofia Mendoza Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid by Estella Inda and Shane Curtin.
- Date
- 2022
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives Repository
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
(408) 808-2062
(408) 808-2063 (Fax)
special.collections@sjsu.edu