Juana Beatriz GutiƩrrez Mothers of East Los Angeles (MELA) Collection, 1978-2004

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Summary

Creators:
GutiƩrrez, Juana Beatriz
Abstract:
Juana Beatriz GutiƩrrez co-founded the Mothers of East Los Angeles (MELA) with several other women and a priest, Monsignor John Moretta. After co-founding MELA, she formed MELA-SI (Santa Isabel), becoming the president of that organization. Both groups worked to keep their communities and families safe by assisting others, organizing protests, and raising awareness within the community. GutiƩrrez had nine children, all of whom assisted with MELA projects. She has received awards for her work within the community and today MELA is a well-known grassroots organization. The records of the Mothers of East Los Angeles consist primarily of correspondence to and from Mothers of East Lost Angeles members, as well as newspaper clippings regarding the Mothers during their activities. It also contains flyers, magazine articles and certificates for achievements of MELA.
Extent:
6.92 linear feet
Language:
English, Spanish; Castilian
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

The Juana Beatriz GutiƩrrez Mothers of East Los Angeles (MELA) Collection consists primarily of correspondence to and from Mothers of East Lost Angeles members, as well as newspaper clippings regarding the Mothers during their activities. It also contains flyers, magazine articles and certificates for achievements of MELA. The collection is arranged in four series: Administrative Records (1984-2002), Community Activism (1978-2004), and General Correspondence and Enclosures (1985-2004), and Exhibition Materials (1987-2002).

Series I, Administrative Records, contains administrative information about MELA, consisting of flyers, summaries, statements, as well as calendars and newsletters distributed by MELA. The series is arranged chronologically.

Series II, Community Activism, documents many of the events coordinated by MELA and include materials such as correspondence, flyers, and newspaper clippings. It is divided into fifteen subseries: Education - Scholarships (1994-2002), Education - General (1987-2002), Environment - Ecology (1992-2003), Environmental Earth Fairs and Community Clean Up Programs (1993-2003), Environmental - Incinerators and Toxics (1988-2000), Environmental - Gas and Energy (1995-2002), Environmental - Air and Water (1987-2000), Environmental - General (1990-2004), Health - Lead (1993-2000), Health - General (1994-2002), Prisons (1983-1992), Political (1984-2004), Transportation (1991-2000), Labor (1990-2002), and General Projects (1987-2003). The materials are arranged chronologically.

Series III, General Correspondence and Enclosures, contains correspondence to and from MELA and/ or Juana GutiƩrrez. This series also contains newspaper clippings and other enclosures about MELA and their achievements. The series is arranged chronologically.

Series IV, Exhibition Materials, includes items from previous gallery exhibits which highlight the history and accomplishments of MELA.

Biographical / historical:

Juana Beatriz GutiƩrrez co-founded the Mothers of East Los Angeles (MELA) with several other women and a priest, Monsignor John Moretta, when a proposal regarding a state prison jeopardized her children's safety. She was born and raised in Mexico, and later moved to Texas where she married her husband Ricardo. After her marriage she moved to Boyle Heights, where she began to take active roles in helping the community. After co-founding MELA, she formed MELA-SI (Santa Isabel), becoming the president of that organization. Both groups worked to keep their community and families safe, by helping others, protesting against projects, and rising awareness on problems in the community. GutiƩrrez had nine children all of whom helped with the projects. She has received awards for her projects in the community, and today MELA is a well known grassroots organization. She passed away in 2025.

Acquisition information:
Juana Beatriz Gutierrez, 2004.
Processing information:

Robert G. Marshall, Yolanda Alaniz, Joan Van Sickle, Maria Bonilla

Arrangement:

Series I: Administrative Records, 1984-2002

Series II: Community Activism, 1978-2004

Subseries A: Education - Scholarships, 1994-2002

Subseries B: Education - General, 1987-2002

Subseries C: Environment - Ecology, 1992-2003

Subseries D: Environmental Earth Fairs and Community Clean Up Programs, 1993-2003

Subseries E: Environmental - Incinerators and Toxics, 1988-2000

Subseries F: Environmental - Gas and Energy, 1995-2002

Subseries G: Environmental - Air and Water, 1978-2002

Subseries H: Environmental - General, 1990-2004

Subseries I: Health - Lead, 1993-2000

Subseries J: Health - General, 1994-2002

Subseries K: Prisons, 1983-1992

Subseries L: Political, 1984-2004

Subseries M: Transportation, 1991-2000

Subseries N: Labor, 1990-2002

Subseries O: General Projects, 1987-2003

Series III: General Correspondence and Enclosures, 1985-2004

Series IV: Exhibition Materials, 1987-2002

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Documents
Photographs

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
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