My grandmother was born in Rolling Hills, Arizona. Her family moved to Algodones, Mexico because the Mexican Government was giving a lot of land to bring people back into Mexico. The Mexican Government wanted people to harvest empty lands. My grandmother and her children came to Oxnard, California in 1966. This photo was taken in 1968 by my grandmother’s landlord. To be exact it was taken in La Colonia in the backyard of 475 N Roosevelt Ave., in Oxnard, California. My mother told me this reminds her of her innocent childhood growing up as a Mexican American. When my mother and her siblings moved to America, they only spoke Spanish and learned English as they attended school. The reason why I chose this photo because it gives some insight of my cultural background. Also, this photo represents the strongest women I know my grandmother. She brought all her children to California it was a struggle, but she did it to better their education and be successful in the future as they got older. My grandmother was a fearless woman who was courageous, never gave up, and very protective over her children. 
- Melyssa Soto 

– Melyssa Soto

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant