Latina Futures Archive & Library

To cement the Latina experience in the American story, Latina Futures is investing in documenting, preserving, and amplifying Latina contributions through archival activities. The UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC) is  compiling its library’s mujeres and LGBTQ collections  and digitizing historical materials on Latina leaders for public access. Under the direction of CSRC Librarian Xaviera Flores, two Latina Futures archivists, Krystell Jimenez and Yesenia Román, are diligently weaving these collections to inform future scholarly inquiries, shape library programming that spotlights Latina experiences, and increase the experience and expertise of librarians in Latina life. 

Latina Futures has also established the Latina Futures Lesbian Lab to create exhibitions and blogs highlighting Latinas who have fought for equal rights for LGBTQ+ communities. One collection of papers in the CSRC archive is from Latina lesbian activist Laura Esquivel, who worked with nonprofit organizations that specifically served the Latina/o and LGBTQ+ communities. A recent piece on the CSRC Post, the blog of the CSRC Library, outlined the value of archival documents in revealing the role of early Latina activists in effecting change for the LGBTQ+ communities. Because of the work of Esquivel, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution calling on the U.S. Senate to support the Hate Crime Preventions Act in response to the murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998, which was signed into law in October 2009 . This archive project will continue to shine a light on the impact of Latinas in every sector of society and their history of shaping and changing policy.