Latinas and the Politics of Urban Spaces

This book illuminates the ways in which Chicanas, Puerto Rican women, and other Latinas organize and lead social movements, either on the ground or digitally, in major cities of the continental United States and Puerto Rico. It shows how they challenge racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-immigrant policies through their political praxis and spiritual activism. Drawing from a range of disciplines and perspectives, academic and activist authors offer unique insights into environmental justice, peace and conflict resolution, women’s rights, LGBTQ coalition-building, and more--all through a distinctive Latina lens. Designed for use in a wide range of college courses, this book is also aimed at practitioners, community organizers, and grassroots leaders.

Sharon A. Navarro is a professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso, she went on to receive her master’s and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is an expert consultant on Latinas in American politics and authored several books and articles on the subject. Her most recent publications include Race, Gender, Sexuality, and the Politics of the American Judiciary (2018) Latinas in American Politics (2016), Latino Urban Agency (2013), co-authored Politicas: Latina Public Officials in Texas (2008), and authored Latina Legislator: Leticia Van De Putte and the Road to Leadership (2008). Her research interests are in women in politics, race and American politics, and Latinx politics. Lilliana Patricia Saldaña received her Ph.D. from the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is currently an Associate Professor of Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio with research interests in teacher identity and consciousness, Chicana/o/x schooling, and epistemic struggles to decolonize the curriculum. She has published in nationally recognized journals, including Latinos & Education, Decolonization: Indigeneity, education & society, and Association of Mexican American Educators Journal. She currently serves as Associate Editor of Chicana/Latina Studies, the leading Chicana/Latina feminist studies journal in the U.S. and flagship publication of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social. She also serves as co-chair of the board of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center in San Antonio and is involved in local and state-wide organizing efforts to implement MAS in Texas preK-12 public schools.