Gracia Molina de Pick Papers, 1902-2019 | Special Collections & University Archives

The Gracia Molina de Pick Papers (1902-2013) document the personal, professional, and activist background of Molina de Pick and include: reports, correspondence, promotional materials, organizational records, conference materials, legal documents, teaching materials, press clippings, photographs, original artwork, and ephemera. The collection is divided into eight series, all organized alphabetically: Biographical, Writings, Correspondence, Education Materials, Women’s Rights, Activism and Political Involvement, Buttons and Name Badges, and Art and Posters.

The Biographical series (1945-2019) chronicles Gracia Molina de Pick’s personal life and family. The series is split into two sub-series: Personal Papers and Photographs. The Personal Papers sub-series (1945-2019) consists of documents pertaining to Molina de Pick’s schooling, family, and job searches. Several versions of her curriculum vitae are included, as well as articles about her achievements and records of her education. The Photographs sub-series contains undated images of Molina de Pick and feature her professional life.

The Writings series (1963-2011) contains works by Molina de Pick, divided into two sub-series: Published and Unpublished. The Published sub-series (1974-2003) includes writings and drafts of works that Molina de Pick completed and published. Mujeres en la Historia/Historias de Mujeres by Gracia Molina Enriquez and Carmen Lugo, is present in this sub-series through drafts and pre-publication formats. The Unpublished sub-series (1963-2011) is comprised of Molina de Pick’s handwritten notes on various subjects, and is topically organized.

Correspondence (1964-2012) includes personal letters, solicitations, and professional correspondence. Noteworthy correspondence is listed by the name of the individual or organization.

The Education Materials series (1962-2012) is divided into three sub-series: Bilingual Education, California Postsecondary Education Commission, and Higher Education. The materials in this series reflect her professional career as educator as well as her reform efforts made within those positions. Types of materials included in these sub-series are reports, legislation, correspondence, and Molina de Pick’s teaching materials. Of particular note in the Bilingual Education sub-series is the assembly bill and drafts of the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Act of 1976, which established transitional bilingual education programs in public schools. Noteworthy materials also include the Mesa College Chicano Studies major proposal and guidelines and materials relating to the founding of Thurgood Marshall College (Third College) at the University of California, San Diego, found in the Higher Education sub-series.

The Women’s Rights series (1961-2006) is divided into seven sub-series: Chicana Activism, Comisión Femenil Mexicana Nacional, Feminist Organizations, National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), Reproductive Rights, Women's History and Women's Rights Publications, and Women's Rights Conferences. This series is prominent in the collection and reflects Molina de Pick’s lifelong dedication to the feminist movement. Materials included in these sub-series are journal articles, meeting minutes, reports, promotional materials, correspondence, and conference materials. Notable items include founding documents for both Mexican American Women's National Association (MANA) and the National Chicana Foundation found in the Chicana Activism sub-series. Also of note is the Women’s Hall of Fame file, which includes planning documents and records of Molina de Pick’s induction in 2002 and is located in the Women's History and Women's Rights Publications sub-series. Highlights also include materials from the four United Nations women’s conferences and the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year (IWY), found in the substantial Women's Rights Conferences sub-series. Materials from this conference include a transcript of Gloria Steinem’s speech with Molina de Pick’s annotations, copies of the National Plan of Action, the published report and drafts, and President Carter’s response.

The Activism and Political Involvement series (1902-2012) is the largest of the collection and contains materials primarily from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s. Materials predating 1930 were collected for research purposes. This series is divided into fifteen sub-series: Chicano Activism, Chicano Cultural Identity and History, Civil and Human Rights, Community Engagement, Democratic Party, Education Reform, Environmentalism, Health Care, Immigration, Indigenous Community Rights, International Relations, Labor Rights, United States Census, United States/Mexico Relations, and Youth Advocacy. Types of materials included in these sub-series are government reports, press clippings, research papers, creative writing, convention materials, and calls to action. Highlights include Molina de Pick’s speech given at a conference at San Diego State University’s Cross Cultural Center in 2005 located in the Chicano Activism sub-series, files regarding the founding and works of the Association of Mexican-American Educators (AMAE) found in the Education Reform sub-series, and materials obtained through Molina de Pick’s membership on the Census Advisory Committee for the Spanish Origin Population for the 1980 Census found in the United States Census sub-series.

The Buttons and Name Badges series (1980-2012) is comprised of collected ephemera. The materials within are split topically, between political campaigns and activist organizations. Buttons represented include the Democratic Party, United Farm Workers, La Raza Unida, the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), and women’s rights groups.

The Art and Posters series (1973-2010) contains works of original art and printed posters. Art varies by medium and depicts Chicano or African culture, including several pieces by Chicana artist Yolanda Romero. Most of the posters advertise events or promote individuals.