Born from migrant parents, Maria Elena Durazo worked in California fields most of her childhood. After experiencing the hardships immigrant labor workers had to endure every day, Maria Elena Durazo used this as her motivation to fight for equal rights for immigrants. Through determination, passion, and pride, Maria Elena Durazo continuously fights to give a voice to the immigrant population.
"As a child, I aspired to not work in the fields. It might sound selfish, but that kind of work was so, so difficult. I just dreamed of the days when we didn’t have to work in the fields.”
Being inspired by Cesar Chavez and his work in the labor movement, Durazo came to realize that she needed to fight for the equal rights of immigrants. With this mentality fueling her drive for justice, she went on to join multiple labor unions in hopes to reform the system to be more equal for immigrants. In 2005, she became the first women leader of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
"Immigrants, as tough as it was, were organizable. For many, many years, immigrants were looked at within the labor movement as un-organizable. That they would be too fearful of their immigration status and just wouldn’t do it, join the union.”
In 1983, Durazo joined the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) Local 11. Her activism led her to declare a reform slate against the local administration, which was against immigrant involvement in the governance of the union. She was able to win the reform and soon later became president of Local 11 in 1989.
"I have always felt that I could do the most good for the movement, for working people, through the labor movement, through a union, through the Federation of Unions. I always felt that was my strength."
After gaining popularity as a prominent figure in the fight for immigrant rights, Maria Elena Durazo ran in the election for a seat in the state senate, representing parts of Los Angeles. She won that election and became a senator in the 24th District of the California State Senate, where she still serves today.
As the United States immigrant population continues to grow every year, it’s important for them to be able to have the same opportunities and equal treatment as any other person. With women like Maria Elena Durazo, who make it their life mission to fight for the equal rights and representation of immigrants, those who migrate are able to be reassured that they are not alone in the fight for their equality and justice.
- Photo courtesy of Maria Elena Durazo's Twitter. https://twitter.com/SenMariaEDurazo/media. Accessed 5 May 2020.
- Photo courtesy of Lawren Markle. LAEDC, https://laedc.org/2019/11/21/senator-maria-elena-durazo/. Accessed 5 May 2020.
- Photo courtesy of Senator Maria Elena Durazo. 24th District of the California Senate, https://sd24.senate.ca.gov/, Accessed 5 May 2020.
- Photo courtesy of Unite HERE organization. Unite HERE Local 11, http://www.unitehere11.org/news/2019/us-senator-elizabeth-warren-dnc-chairman-perez-and-state-senator-durazo-join-lmu-workers-as-they-celebrate-historic-contract. Accessed 5 May 2020.
- Photo courtesy of Unite HERE organization. Unite HERE Local 11, https://unitehere.org/press-releases/unite-here-statement-on-daca-termination/. Accessed 5 May 2020.
- Photo courtesy of Unite HERE organization. Unite HERE Local 11, https://unitehere.org/press-releases/afl-cio-endorses-maria-elena-durazo-for-dnc-vice-chair/. Accessed 5 May 2020.
- Photo courtesy of Warren Olney. KRCW, https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/which-way-la/will-new-taxes-solve-californias-water-shortage/the-legacy-of-la-labor-boss-maria-elena-durazo. Accessed 5 May 2020.
- Quotes: Maria Elena Durazo interviewed by Analia Cabral, July 12, 2017, Los Angeles, California, Oral History #5981.1, transcript, Women Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage, Center for Oral and Public History, California State University, Fullerton.
Credits:
Created with an image by Nitish Meena - "Immigrants make America Great"