Born in the border town of Mexicali, Baja California during the tumultuous years of the Mexican Revolution, Josefina Fierro
was raised in a familial heritage of revolutionary activism. Her father was an officer in General Francisco "Pancho" Villa's
northern revolutionary army, a fact that made him largely absent from her life. Raised by her mother, who separated from her
husband and immigrated to the U.S. when Josefina was a baby, the language of revolution and social justice was a constant
in her young life. Her mother's family was followers of Ricardo Flores Magon, a Mexican anarchist banished from Mexico for
promoting radical reforms as part of his Partido Liberal Mexicano, a movement he continued while in exile on the U.S. side
of the border. As a "Magonista," Josefina's mother taught her daughter to stand up for the underdog, to speak out against
injustice, and to treat others with dignity and respect. It was no surprise that Josefina would eventually use this background
as a basis for assuming leadership within the Mexican American community in California as she came of age.
Born in the border town of Mexicali, Baja California during the tumultuous years of the Mexican Revolution, Josefina Fierro
was raised in a familial heritage of revolutionary activism. Her father was an officer in General Francisco "Pancho" Villa's
northern revolutionary army, a fact that made him largely absent from her life. Raised by her mother, who separated from her
husband and immigrated to the U.S. when Josefina was a baby, the language of revolution and social justice was a constant
in her young life. Her mother's family was followers of Ricardo Flores Magon, a Mexican anarchist banished from Mexico for
promoting radical reforms as part of his Partido Liberal Mexicano, a movement he continued while in exile on the U.S. side
of the border. As a "Magonista," Josefina's mother taught her daughter to stand up for the underdog, to speak out against
injustice, and to treat others with dignity and respect. It was no surprise that Josefina would eventually use this background
as a basis for assuming leadership within the Mexican American community in California as she came of age.
Josefina's successful organizing efforts and her emergence as a key leader in the Los Angeles Mexican community attracted
the attention of Latino leaders, especially Luisa Moreno, who were preparing to launch the first-ever national Latino civil
rights organization, the Congress of Spanish-Speaking People. The Congress was founded in Los Angeles in 1939, and young Josefina
was elected national secretary, the second highest ranking position in the organization. For the next several years, she and
her colleagues led a broad-based civil rights movement for Mexican Americans and other Latinos in California and in the Southwest.
A fiery orator who could captivate an audience, Josefina traveled throughout California to participate in various demonstrations
and activities aimed at bringing down the walls of discrimination against Mexicans in housing, employment, education, and
other public places. She played an instrumental role, in addition, on the defense committee of the infamous "Sleepy Lagoon
Case" in war-time Los Angeles (a murder trial involving several Mexican American youth accused and sentenced to prison for
a crime they did not commit). The Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee eventually won the release of the defendants from state
prison two years after the original convictions. A year later, in June 1943, Josefina almost single-handedly brought an end
to the days of rage and physical assault on Mexican Americans in downtown and in East Los Angeles during the so-called "Zoot
Suit Riots." With the L.A.P.D. unwilling to stop the brutality in the streets against Mexican American youth, Josefina flew
to Washington, D.C. with a Mexican consulate official to prevail upon the Vice-President of the United States, Henry Wallace,
to help bring an end to the violence unleashed against her community. Convinced by her graphic, first-hand stories about the
beatings of Mexican Americans by servicemen, buttressed by an armful of newspapers she carried with sensational headlines
about the riots, Wallace secured a military order that restricted all service personnel to their respective bases until order
was restored.
As Josefina's efforts to advocate for Mexican Americans attracted more notice, she was labeled as a "communist subversive"
by the California Committee on UnAmerican Activities. After her divorce from John Bright, she returned to Madera where she
organized on behalf of Henry Wallace's Independent Progressive party. By 1948, after being hounded by the FBI and fearing
arrest and deportation, she decided to leave the United States and head to Hermosillo, the Mexican port city where she lived
the rest of her life.
As Josefina's efforts to advocate for Mexican Americans attracted more notice, she was labeled as a "communist subversive"
by the California Committee on UnAmerican Activities. After her divorce from John Bright, she returned to Madera where she
organized on behalf of Henry Wallace's Independent Progressive party. By 1948, after being hounded by the FBI and fearing
arrest and deportation, she decided to leave the United States and head to Hermosillo, the Mexican port city where she lived
the rest of her life.
The collection is arranged in chronologically.
See M0811 for interviews of Josefina Fierro by Dr. Albert M. Camarillo, Professor of History, Stanford University.
This collection was given by the donor to Stanford University, Special Collections in March 1995.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Copying. Papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures.
Photoprints.
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Florence, Arizona, 1917, restaurant scene with three women, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Brothers of Arturo Arancibia, before Josefa (mother) married him. Cowboy theme/photo of three men, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
No description on back. High quality portrait of a young woman with short hair and necklace emblem, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
No description on back. Lightly printed or fading. Photo of a young woman standing holding an umbrella, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Mandera ranch, Josefina (right) school teacher (middle) brother (far left) and mother, car behind family, ca. 1930
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Josefina and Jocabo (cousin) Florence, Arizona, 1919
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Portrait of three children, boy, young girl, and young Josefina? (On back: ?,?, Josefina?)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Sonora Enro 23-20 Arizona, portrait of a man legs crossed, postcard, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Brothers of
Arturo Arancibia, before Josefa (mother) married him. Cowboy theme/photo of three men, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Father and mother,
Francisco Borboa, Fierro, posed with car and child under car, ca. 1920
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Florence, Josefina Fierro, Miss
Rosalia Amador, ca. 1918 12. Paul and Josefina Fierro,
Florence, Arizona, Age 6 and 7
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Josefina, 2 years old, Nana, postcard addressed to
Roberto Amador,
Calexico, CA April 22, 1922
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
"Josefina's only photograph of her father" postcard; signed Rosa,
Calexico, CA, July 8, 1914
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Luis and Elisa Amador (wife) Guaymas, Mexico, 1916
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Paul Borva Fierro,
Los Angeles, CA, postcard; Paul on front of photo ca. 1915
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Don Neiro (half-brother), Mother, Sister Maura, 1910
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Aunt Delz and Arthur at ranch in madders, California, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Araniclerita Brothers, Mother's husband, Arthur Aranubia? 1956
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Josefa's brother, ca. 1920-1927
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Mother and Arthur, early 1930's
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Family at ranch, ca. 1930
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Josefa, Josefina's mother (?) 26 yrs. old,
Santa Monica, CA, in a Gypsy outfit
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Paul and Josefina Fierro,
Florence, Arizona, Age 6 and 7, ca.1920
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Benito Amador, postcard 1920: "Brother / Composer"
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Josefa Amador and
Roberto Amador, ca. 1912
Graphic materials 1, Folder 1
Josefina,
Guaymas, Mexico, December 29, 1926
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
John De Bright, portrait, Bar Music, Hollywood, ca. 1946
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
Josefina 20 Birthday, John De Bright, la Bamba Night Club, Olvera Street, Los Angeles, 1931, photo by:
Hal Marty
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
Josefina 21st Birthday with husband, John DeBright, photo by
Hal Marty, Hollywood, CA, ca.1935
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
Josefina (right) John De Bright (center) with Florence Hamolka, New York City, 1948, photo by:
Ivan Black, on backside:
Barney Josephson, Cafe Society Downtown 7/13/48
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
John De Bright, Red Cross, New York City, 1939-1940
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
John De Bright, in car, photo by Irving Lippman, 1930
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
John De bright and Anne Sheridan, photo by Madison Lacy, 1939
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
Josefina (right) with sailors (brother's good friend) and mother, Los Angeles, 1942
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
John De Bright, portrait, U.S. Coast Guard, 3rd Naval District, written on front side "In devotion and love (and some sympathy)"
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
John De Bright, Red Cross, 1941-1942
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
Josefina portrait, Los Angeles, 1938
Graphic materials 1, Folder 2
Josefina (right) John De Bright (center) with Florence Hamolka, New York City, 1948, photo by:
Ivan Black. (on backside:
Barney Josephson, Cafe Society Downtown 7/13/48)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Jack Carter with Josefina, Palm Springs, 1939 2) Josefina, Palm Springs, 1939
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina, glamour portrait, New York City, 1942
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina, portrait, Los Angeles, photo by Florence Homolka, 1940
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina, Los Angeles, 1940
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina, Los Angeles, 1942
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina, 1940, on backside "Rushmore suggests this"
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina, Los Angeles, 1940
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina, 1940, photo by: Florence Homolka
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Home of where Josefina was born. ca. 1947, San Joredel Cabo, B.C.(?)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Pete Daniels, wedding night, ca.1947: dinner at Sinaloa, San Francisco, CA. with Pete's daughters, Marty and Maggie
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Peter Daniel and Josefina, San Francisco, 1948
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Peter Daniel and Josefina, San Francisco, 1948 (on back written Guaymas '1950)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Mother: Josefa Arancibia and Richard Daniel (adopted son of Josefina)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Hollywood Ten, 1950, John De Bright (right), Mexico City, Pete Daniel (left)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina and John De Bright, 2nd marriage, ca.1935
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina (right profile portrait) Los Angeles, 193921) Josefina (left profile portrait) 1940
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Eva Garza (comadre) photo by: Annemarie Heinrich, 1939
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
John De Bright and Josefina (right of frame) group portrait on canal, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Olachea family, Josefina (upper left) 1948
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
No description on back, possibly a young Pete Daniel(?) holding a rooster
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina on ice skates, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina with friend, ice sailboat, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina at the ranch with friend in Madera, 1932
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina with small boy, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina eating a hotdog. Roseluta Beach, September, 1937
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina (right) with two women, Los Angeles, 1937
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Mercedes Vda Arguello, 1930
Graphic materials 1, Folder 3
Josefina on shoreline, college days, Santa Monica Beach, 1931
Graphic materials 1, Folder 4
Graphic materials 1, Folder 4
Paul (Pablo) Fierro, Los Angeles, photo by
Mark Studio
Graphic materials 1, Folder 4
Graphic materials 1, Folder 4
Paul Fierro and
Mae West, 1937, studio shot, Title of film "She Done Him Wrong"
Graphic materials 1, Folder 4
Photo by
Charles Schneider, Two men, 1936
Graphic materials 1, Folder 4
Photo of three men with guitars, two women, one man in center, restaurant scene, 1936
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Josefina and adopted daughter, Lisa, at Las Planitas, Feb, 1967
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Aunt rela Salome cousin, ca.1990
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Prime Salome Phillip, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Interparliamentary Convention, Gov.
Alex Camarillo Macca, ca. 1977
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Bruce Babbitt, Gov. of Arizona,
Alex Carrillo Maun, Gov. of Sonora Oscarvilloa (left center), ca.1982-1983
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Richard Rice Daniels, college days, Juarez, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Card for death of adopted son, ca. 1968
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
No description on back, Josefina with young girl, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Ano, Women of the Year, Josefina with flowers (center) 1994
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
No description on back family portrait, all women, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
No description on back Josefina with two women, dressed in traditional clothing for carnival, no date (1980?)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Josefina with her mother, Josefa, ca.l977
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Josefina seated on camel, Africa, 1973
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
No description on back, family portrait outside mother seated in middle, four women, Josefina, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Josephina's mother 80 yrs old, Guaymas, Mexico
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Guaymas, Carnival parade, floats, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Guaymas, Carnival parade, floats, stamp on back: Randy Terrey 1605 Woodbury Drive,
Harbor City, CA 90710, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Postcard of San Jose Del Cabo
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Picture of the harbor, no date (3 items)
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Josefina with male friend at the Taberna Del Greco, mid 1970's?
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Pete Daniels, wedding night, ca.1947: dinner at Sinaloa, San Francisco, CA. with Pete's daughters, Marty and Maggie
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Josefina and Pete Daniels, possible restaurant opening? no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Josefina at La Fonda de Recunerdo, same male friend from "Taberna Del Greco" photo to left of frame, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
"About a month before we opened the restaurant". Photo of a harbor with mountains in background, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Family portrait, Josefina (top left) Pete Daniels (top right) young family below, no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 5
Caterdral de
Barcelona ESPANA (on front) group portrait, Josefina (in lower center of frame) no date
Graphic materials 1, Folder 6
Plate photo, Mother's family, Amadoir, 1903
Graphic materials 1, Folder 6
Print from plate, Mother's family, Amadoir, 1903
Graphic materials 2, Folder 1
Josefina, 11 years old, grammar school, ca-1923
Graphic materials 2, Folder 1
Josefina, portrait, photo by Florence Homolka, Los Angeles, 1942 (2 photos)
Graphic materials 2, Folder 2
Josefina, Pete Daniels, Josefa Arancibia, Josefa, at the Capri restaurant, Mexico City, 1950
Graphic materials 2, Folder 2
Josefina, portrait with flowers, Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, photo by
Arturo Petsch (written on backside "with love"), 1971
