Emma Beatrice Tenayuca was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 21, 1916. She and her family lived on the Westside of the city and was struck by the inequality Mexican-Americans faced, especially within the workforce. At the age of 21 Tenayuca was a lead organizer for the largest protest in San Antonio history at that time: the 1938 Pecan Shellers Strike. Tenayuca and her compatriots galvanized the mainly female working class and on January 31, 1938 over 12,000 workers walked out of their jobs and went on strike. The strike lasted until March 8, 1938 and resulted in arbitration and wages were increased for the workers. 

However, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was enacted in October of that year and has overshadowed the strike's successes as it raised the minimum wage and set a 40 hour work week. Tenayuca's contributions to the San Antonio community are a mile long and include protests against violence towards Mexican immigrants, organizing political rallies and participating in local and national politics. She was run out of San Antonio in the mid 1940s by anti-Communists but returned years later to serve her community as a teacher and educator. 

Currently there is only one permanent monument dedicated to Emma, a plaque in Milam Square where she spent many Sundays during her childhood. A permanent statue, a new mural or some other kind of artistic installation would help honor a true community heroine. I am calling on local artists, especially young, Chicano ones, to submit ideas for what they'd like a monument to look like. 

I hope that you will see the good this will do for a community that is comprised mostly of Mexican-Americans and support bringing this issue in front of the San Antonio City Council in December 2021. Thank you for your support.