Rio Grande
United Methodist Women:
Opening Doors for Mexican-American Women
by Amelia Flores
Coming from a culture where women were not encouraged to become educated or work outside the home, Mexican-American women of Rio Grande Conference had to love the work of the Lord to go against the norm. Fear of going against tradition did not stop a group of women who met Nov. 2-3, 1933, during an annual conference held in San Antonio, Texas. As women were not yet allowed to be members of annual conferences, most of those who came to San Antonio were pastors’ wives accompanying their husbands. Mrs. Frank Onderdonk organized the women as the Women’s Society of Christian Service of the Mexican Conference at Texas.
The organization grew by leaps and bounds. In 1949-1950, conference officers planned visits to every local unit. The Secretary of Organization and Promotion Minerva Garza planned trainings for district officers and helped in the visitation. Ms. Garza, still active in United Methodist Women at 82 years old, was conference president from 1952-56. She has earned the unofficial title of historian.
Ms. Garza said her best experience in working with the women was in observing the women’s fidelity and support.
"I enjoyed seeing how they gave of themselves to the work of the organization without any reservations." Ms. Garza said.
The organization faced problems from the beginning. One of the first was the language. There was always at least one women in the group who understood English. Some of the women’s daughters knew English and were able to explain in Spanish how to carry out the program or translate the organization’s Constitution.
In 1943, Elida García de Falcón and her daughter Clotilde F. NáZez began translating the program book for the Women’s Division so everyone in the conference could read the programs in Spanish.
Opening doors
Being members of United Methodist Women has opened doors to religious and secular learning for Mexican-American women from Rio Grande Conference. Mission studies in local units have helped the women become aware of social issues. If United Methodist Women had not organized in the conference, there would not have been as much opportunity for the women to become leaders in the conference and beyond.
Felícitas G. Salazar, one of the former presidents of the conference, shared that without her experience in the organization, she would not have had the courage to talk to the manager of a large grocery-store chain about not having deserts for diabetics.
The Mexican-American women of Rio Grande Conference have learned to be assertive, have learned to stand for their rights, have learned to be supportive of other women, and have learned to be involved in politics by being active in United Methodist Women. Members recycle what can be recycled, do not buy or use Styrofoam products, and write letters to the legislators when there is a problem that needs to be corrected. I would not have boycotted grapes when Cesar Chavez was trying to get the growers to improve conditions for workers if it had not been part of the action of United Methodist Women.
Today conference and district officers are visiting local units to encourage members to continue the work they have been doing. Members of local units are sharing the history of the conference organization and the Purpose of United Methodist Women with teen women. Local members are involved in "Mission Today," encouraging women to use the Prayer Calendar in devotionals, to write to missionaries, to share stories from Response, and to continue implementing the Charter for Racial Justice Policies.
The future of Mexican-American women in Rio Grande Conference looks bright. The baton is being passed to teenagers like Sara Bianca Molina, 15, who have been members of the organization for some years. Ms. Molina became a member when she was 10 years old. She has participated in the Five-Star Program since joining. When asked why she joined United Methodist Women, Ms. Molina said, "because my grandmother –- Olga S. Molina -- took me to all the meetings."
Ms. Molina said she believes other young women will be attracted to the organization by the conference’s program.
"My dream is that these women will join and stay within the organization and become officers in all levels, even in the Women’s Division," she said. "I hope to become one."
Amelia Flores is treasurer for Rio Grande Conference United Methodist Women.