Oral History ProjectOral History Project

Civilian Civilian Maria Lydia VelaMaria Lydia Vela

Interviewers: Diego Cardenas, Omar Cardenas, Interviewers: Diego Cardenas, Omar Cardenas, Alfredo EquiguaAlfredo Equigua

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

•Introduction

•Biography

•Pictures w/ Explanation

•Interview

•What We Learned

•What Do We Think

•Closing Statement

•Credits

IntroductionIntroduction

This is Diego Cardenas. Today is 12/6/08. I’m This is Diego Cardenas. Today is 12/6/08. I’m interviewing for the 1interviewing for the 1stst time Mrs. Maria Lydia Vela. time Mrs. Maria Lydia Vela. The interview is taking place in home of Omar The interview is taking place in home of Omar Cardenas at 2820 Flores St. This interview is Cardenas at 2820 Flores St. This interview is being conducted by Team 7C, Ms. Lozano’s 7being conducted by Team 7C, Ms. Lozano’s 7 thth Block A-Day – L.J. Christen Middle School and is Block A-Day – L.J. Christen Middle School and is part of the Our America- Teaching American part of the Our America- Teaching American History, coordinated with Texas A&M International History, coordinated with Texas A&M International University. Interview is being conducted by: Diego University. Interview is being conducted by: Diego Cardenas, Alfredo Equigua, & Omar Cardenas.Cardenas, Alfredo Equigua, & Omar Cardenas.

BiographyBiography

Maria Lydia Vela was born on October 8, 1942 in Maria Lydia Vela was born on October 8, 1942 in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. She was one of 3 children Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. She was one of 3 children of Dolores Maldonado & Julian Ramirez.of Dolores Maldonado & Julian Ramirez.

She had two pets one dog which was named La She had two pets one dog which was named La Chata and one cat which was called kitty.Chata and one cat which was called kitty.

Her favorite hobby and wanted to pursue was to Her favorite hobby and wanted to pursue was to fix and sew dresses. Other hobbies she had were fix and sew dresses. Other hobbies she had were watch soap operas and spend time with her watch soap operas and spend time with her children. children.

Pictures w/Pictures w/ ExplanationExplanationInterviewer #1 Interviewer #2 Interviewer #3

IntervieweeDiego Cardenas

Omar Cardenas Alfredo Equigua Jr.

Maria Lydia Vela

Pictures w/Pictures w/ ExplanationExplanation

In the middle is Maria , the man on the right is her husband Omar Vela , the girl drinking the coke is Lidia (Marias daughter) and the girl in the bottom is Cynthia (Marias niece)

Maria Lydia Vela, Cynthia

Maria Lydia Vela

What We LearnedWhat We Learned

We learned many things about Maria’s past We learned many things about Maria’s past and present such as, the type of clothes, and present such as, the type of clothes, shoes, pets, allowance and what she did shoes, pets, allowance and what she did with the money she earned. with the money she earned.

What Do We ThinkWhat Do We Think

We think that the past was harder than it is We think that the past was harder than it is today. Such as getting 1 peso as a today. Such as getting 1 peso as a allowance. Today you can get like 20 pesos allowance. Today you can get like 20 pesos as an allowance. We think that everything as an allowance. We think that everything has changed over the years. And we rather has changed over the years. And we rather live in this time than in the past. live in this time than in the past.

Closing StatementClosing Statement

She inspired us by telling us, “Don’t take She inspired us by telling us, “Don’t take anything for granted.” anything for granted.”

CreditsCredits

1.1. DiegoDiego I would like to thank my dad, mom, brother to taking me I would like to thank my dad, mom, brother to taking me

to Omar’s house.to Omar’s house. I would like to thank Omar and Alfredo to be my partners.I would like to thank Omar and Alfredo to be my partners.2.2. OmarOmar I would like to thank Diego and Alfredo to be my partners. I would like to thank Diego and Alfredo to be my partners. 3.3. AlfredoAlfredo I would like to thank my mom and dad to drive me to I would like to thank my mom and dad to drive me to

Omar’s house.Omar’s house. I would like to thank Diego and Omar to be my partners.I would like to thank Diego and Omar to be my partners.4.4. WeWe We would like to thank Maria Lydia Vela for letting us We would like to thank Maria Lydia Vela for letting us

interview her.interview her.