Mexican American Studies at NVC

From block to print to gallery walls. Congrats to Professor De Luna on a beautiful opening reception! The best part? You can take her classes this fall.✨

✨ NVC MAS Fall 2026 Courses ✨
Looking for your next class? Explore Mexican American Studies this fall and learn how culture, community, and history intersect to shape our past, present, and future. Enroll today!

As a Mexican-American journalist, activist, and suffragist, Jovita Idar bravely fought the injustices of her time. She single-handedly protected her newspaper headquarters when the Texas Rangers came to shut it down, and crossed the border to serve as a nurse during the Mexican Revolution, never backing down to a challenge.

Born in 1885 in Laredo, Texas, Idar was surrounded by activism and journalism. Her father, Nicasio, was a newspaper editor and civil rights advocate. Although she earned her teaching certificate in 1903, she quickly resigned because she was unable to tolerate the segregation and poor conditions for Mexican-American students. She turned to journalism instead, writing in her father’s La Crónica newspaper about racism, women’s suffrage, and the revolution unfolding across the border.

In 1911, Idar and her family organized the First Mexican Congress, bringing together Mexicans across both sides of the border to address education, economic inequality, and injustice. In the same year, she founded and became the first president of the feminist organization La Liga Feminil Mexicanista.

Idar crossed over the Mexican border to fight alongside the volunteer group La Cruz Blanca during the Mexican Revolution. Upon returning to Texas, she took a position at El Progreso, where she published an article protesting President Woodrow Wilson’s decision to send U.S. troops to the border. The U.S. Army and Texas Rangers responded by marching to the newspaper’s offices, and Idar met them at the door. They left that day, but later returned to forcefully shut down the paper.

Idar did not give up the fight. She returned to La Crónica, eventually running the paper following her father’s death in 1914. She went on to become an editor, a Democratic party organizer, a hospital interpreter, and the founder of a free kindergarten for children in her community.

Learn more about Idar: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/jovita-idar

We had the opportunity to attend the opening of From the West Side to the World: Un Homenaje a Flaco Jiménez, celebrating the life and legacy of Flaco Jiménez. We also had the opportunity to meet Pete Astudillo of Selena y Los Dinos and enjoy live music by Los Texmaniacs with Jesse Borrego. This was an unforgettable evening celebrating cultura and music. 🪗

Y’all showed up. Thank you to everyone who pulled up for the 3rd Annual Slice of History: Mexican Civil Rights Game Day! Between the lotería, pizza, screen printing, live music, button making, and prizes, it was a day full of community, culture, and fun. We appreciate everyone who made this event possible. 🍕