Anita Martinez and Raquel Martinez Sloan, mother and daughter who share a passion for social awareness

Anita's start in California: I first experienced California through my Nicaraguan immigrant parents, who spoke no English. (I grew up fast, translating for them.) It wasn’t until I was in my early 20s, working for the state labor board,
that I saw the true diversity of California’s immigrant community, from the fields of Salinas to the lumber mills of Crescent City.

Raquel ’s take: My mom never had a place like the Oakland Museum of California when she was growing up, but I came here through school. Now the museum’s Días de los Muertos celebration is a family tradition. And I’ll never forget going to hear Paul Rusesabagina, the man behind Hotel Rwanda, with my mom. It was a powerful experience, and it meant a lot to share it with her.

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