Terri Cruz

Teresa Cruz was born in Tucson, Arizona.^[2][3][4] Her parents were from Hermosillo and Durango.^[1] She was orphaned as a young child and raised by her aunt and uncle in Salt River Valley. After eighth grade, she left school and worked as a house cleaner.^[2] She began working with her local community by campaigning for John F. Kennedy.^[1] After twenty-two years, she decided to earn her GED and pursue a career in social services for the poor.^[2]

Cruz worked with a War on Poverty program.^{[citation needed]} While in that position, she was approached by Chicano activists, including Joe Eddie Lopez, asking to use the spirit duplicator.^{[citation needed]} She became involved with their group, which became Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC).^[2] Cruz helped found Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) in 1969.^[1] Cruz served on CPLC's Board of Directors until she was hired by the organization.^[5]

In 1970, she as instrumental in organizing a boycott against Union High District in which 2,000 Mexican American students refused to attend, leading to reforms including hiring more Latino teachers and counselors.^[5]

Cruz worked at CPLC until her death in 2017.^[2]