Collection Guide
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Mendez (James and Margarita) Papers, 1918-2003
CSRC.127
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Contributing Institution:
Chicano Studies Research Center Library
Title: James and Margarita Mendez Papers
Creator:
Mendez, Margarita
Creator:
Mendez, James
Identifier/Call Number: CSRC.127
Physical Description:
4.8 Linear Feet
(4 boxes; 3 flat boxes; 2 oversize flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1918-2003
Abstract: This collection contains material on the lives of James and Margarita Mendez. It consists of photographs, printed matter,
memorabilia, correspondence, and realia. It includes material on Garfield and Roosevelt High Schools, the foreced relocation
and incarceration of Japanese Americans, the World War II service of James Mendez and Margarita's brother Eloy Duran, and
material related to Margarita's career as a social worker.
Physical Location: COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library
and Archive for paging information.
Language of Material: Materials are in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
Open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Victor Duran Mendez, June 7, 2011.
The collection was arranged by an unknown person, who seems to have attempted to retain the donor's original order.
James Aleman Mendez was born July 21, 1921 in Los Angeles. He attended James Garfield High School and Frank Wiggins Trade
School before joining the United States Army. He served in the 127th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division and fought
in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war he worked as a salesman for the General American Life Insurance Company.
Margarita Acosta Duran was born on December 5, 1925 in Los Angeles. She attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, UCLA, and
USC, where she earned a Master of Social Work degree. As a social worker, she specialized in youth and mental health issues.
She was repeatedly recognized by professional organizations, the city and county of Los Angeles, and the State of California
or her contributions to her profession and community. She died on February 26, 1996 in Bellflower.
Margarita's younger brother, Eloy, served in the same Army regiment as James. Though there is no evidence in the collection,
it is possible that he introduced them. James and Margarita were married on December 23, 1950. They had at least four sons.
[Identification of item], James and Margarita Mendez Papers, 127, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California,
Los Angeles.
The collection was arranged by an unknown person. The collection was described by Doug Johnson, July 2019.
The
Maria Acosta Duran Papers at the UCLA CSRC is a collection of Margarita's mother's papers.
This collection contains material on the lives of James and Margarita Mendez. It consists of photographs, printed matter,
memorabilia, correspondence, and realia. There is a great deal of material on their secondary school years at both Garfield
High School and Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. Both schools had large populations of Japanese American students whose
educations were interrupted by forced relocation and incarceration. Margarita had many Japanese American friends throughout
her life and perhaps because of this fact she retained material from the Gila River and Poston camps. During the Second World
War, James served in the 127th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division alongside Margarita's brother Eloy. Both men
retained a significant amount of material from their service in the Pacific War and, in Eloy's case, the American Occupation
of Japan. While there is only a small amount of material related to James's career as an insurance salesman, there is a great
deal on Margarita's career in social work. There is material on her education, including a draft of her thesis, material on
various positions she held, publications, and information about Trabajadores de la Raza, an association of student and professional
social workers founded in 1969. There are also a number of plaques and certificates bestowed on Margarita throughout her career.
These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user
must assume full responsibility for any use of materials, including but not limited to infringement of copyright and publication
rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Theodore Roosevelt High School (Los Angeles, Calif.)
James A. Garfield High School (Los Angeles, Calif.)
World War, 1939-1945
Japanese Americans--Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 32nd
United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 127th
Social service
Trabajadores de la Raza (Organization)