East Los Angeles resident Silvia Corona has been a regional community activist for 45 years, fighting for causes from education to immigration.
Her journey in activism began in 1979 when she participated in a teachers’ strike. Originally from Mexico, Corona came to the United States with only the hope of becoming a teacher.
Those plans changed when she needed to provide for her family, leading her to find a higher-paying job as a nurse at AltaMed Medical Center in East Los Angeles, where she worked for 20 years.
She then became a florist, which gave her more time to focus on community activism. As an activist, she has seen, learned, and done many things over the years.
Corona sat down with the University Times to speak about her motivations and passions as an activist.
When did you first get involved in the community and what drove you to continue?
My first time getting involved was in 1979 during a teachers’ strike. I first decided to get more involved because of my children. I wanted them to have a good education, as I didn’t. During that time, I met and learned [from] new people, I saw how the school system really worked and it all drove me to be more involved with them.
You’ve been involved in multiple movements over the past 45 years. Which moment or movement do you see as a turning point in your activism?
I’ve been to many protests over the years and the one that still sticks to me is the [Proposition] 187 protest involving the California Governor at that time Pete Wilson [in 1994]. That protest was a turning point because as an immigrant who came from Mexico, he was threatening to take benefits from Latino communities. Those communities were my neighbors, which is why I had to participate – it was an important time.
What do you love most about being an activist?
I love seeing the community come together. I love seeing what we can all do about something if we come together. I’ve always loved helping my community, ever since I was 14 years old.
As a community activist what do you want to see in your community?
I want to see change. I want people to speak up and tell their community leaders what we all need.
Who motivates you to continue as an activist?
My friends and family are my biggest motivation. They don’t hold me back and they support me completely. My husband is also my biggest motivation as every protest and movement I fought for, he was with me.
What are you currently fighting for?
I am currently fighting for my community. I am fighting for the urgency to denounce gentrification practices for the new 21st century in the heart of East L.A. In my community, people with lots of money are coming in and destroying churches, schools and homes to build apartment buildings for residents who don’t even live in the community. I am currently asking people for signatures to prevent these people from destroying our community.
