By developing their skills, they could turn around and get a job silkscreening somewhere else. Women have played a crucial role in Barrios Unidos since the organization started, with longtime activists Elizabeth Ayala, MaryLou Rangel, and Argelia Flores especially focusing on the experience of women. But we are not here to stand behind them or in front of them, we are here to stand by them. We need them just as much as they need us. The compassion that women bring to the organization is very important.
Women bring a different view that can enlighten the men.
The male and the female views really need to come hand in hand in order to move forward. Although some of the kids might think we're snitching, collaboration means working together as equals. We try to work on those terms. Through work with the city's Arts Council, they have gotten grants for murals and other projects that are geared toward incorporating barrio cultura into citywide projects. We are getting more support now.