These new Americans retained much of the same family values they held in their previous homes: a strong emphasis on kinship, family, and neighborhood relationships. For many immigrant families, life in the United States was better than the life they had in Mexico. Seeking work and opportunities to become contributors to their society, families adjusted to a new environment and re-created their neighborhoods, and sustained themselves by celebrating their cultural traditions and reinforcing their new lives as Mexican Americans.

Central to the family structure are the women because they are the "glue" that keeps the family unit together. Whether they are workers, educators, students, parents, supporters of causes, community advocates and leaders, politicians, or entrepreneurs, the women exhibit a unique cultural spirit of courage, strength, and silent heroism. We celebrate the Mexican American family and acknowledge a human spirit that has endured, and will continue to endure.

Estos nuevos Americanos mantuvieron muchos de los mismos valores de familia que ten�an en sus hogares anteriores: un fuerte �nfasis en parentesco, familia, y relaciones entre vecinos. Para muchas familias inmigrantes, la vida en los Estados Unidos era mejor que la vida que ten�an en M�xico. Buscando trabajo y oportunidades para convertirse en contribuyentes para su sociedad, las familias se adaptaron a un nuevo ambiente y recrearon sus vecindarios y se apoyaron celebrando sus tradiciones culturales y reforzando sus nuevas vidas como Mexicano Americanos.

Las mujeres son parte del centro de la estructura de la familia porque ellas son las que mantienen a la familia unida. Ya sean ellas trabajadoras, educadoras, estudiantes, padres, luchadoras de causa, defensoras de la comunidad y l�deres, pol�ticas, contratistas; las mujeres exhiben un esp�ritu �nico de coraje, fortaleza, y hero�smo silencioso. Nosotros celebramos la familia Mexicano Americana y reconocemos un esp�ritu que ha tolerado y que continuar� tolerando.

Family Ties/Vínculos de Familia

Daniel began the Walter Cronkite School Documentary Photo Workshops organized by Frank Hoy, Associate Professor of Visual Journalism at Arizona State University with a Kodak "one-use" and has graduated to a Vivitar camera with flash. He has photographed ASU's Dinofest, events and portraits of his family. He is an artist. His favorite painter is Picasso. Daniel has a unique way of seeing and photographing what he sees. He is now working on his own Web page.

Traditions/Tradiciones

Community Spirit/Espíritu de la Comunidad