1. Oral History Project Civilian Maria Lydia Vela Interviewers: Diego Cardenas, Omar Cardenas, Alfredo Equigua

2. Table of Contents Introduction Biography Pictures w/ Explanation Interview What We Learned What Do We Think Closing Statement Credits

3. Introduction  This is Diego Cardenas. Today is 12/6/08. I’m interviewing for the 1 st time Mrs. Maria Lydia Vela. The interview is taking place in home of Omar Cardenas at 2820 Flores St. This interview is being conducted by Team 7C, Ms. Lozano’s 7 th Block A-Day – L.J. Christen Middle School and is part of the Our America- Teaching American History, coordinated with Texas A&M International University. Interview is being conducted by: Diego Cardenas, Alfredo Equigua, & Omar Cardenas.

4. Biography  Maria Lydia Vela was born on October 8, 1942 in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. She was one of 3 children of Dolores Maldonado & Julian Ramirez.  She had two pets one dog which was named La Chata and one cat which was called kitty.  Her favorite hobby and wanted to pursue was to fix and sew dresses. Other hobbies she had were watch soap operas and spend time with her children.

5. Pictures w/ Explanation Interviewer #1Interviewer #2Interviewer #3 Interviewee Diego Cardenas Omar Cardenas Alfredo Equigua Jr. Maria Lydia Vela

6. Pictures w/ Explanation In the middle is Maria, the man on the right is her husband Omar Vela, the girl drinking the coke is Lidia (Marias daughter) and the girl in the bottom is Cynthia (Marias niece) Maria Lydia Vela, Cynthia

7. Maria Lydia Vela

8. What We Learned  We learned many things about Maria’s past and present such as, the type of clothes, shoes, pets, allowance and what she did with the money she earned.

9. What Do We Think  We think that the past was harder than it is today. Such as getting 1 peso as a allowance. Today you can get like 20 pesos as an allowance. We think that everything has changed over the years. And we rather live in this time than in the past.

10. Closing Statement  She inspired us by telling us, “Don’t take anything for granted.”

11. Credits 1.Diego  I would like to thank my dad, mom, brother to taking me to Omar’s house.  I would like to thank Omar and Alfredo to be my partners. 2.Omar  I would like to thank Diego and Alfredo to be my partners. 3.Alfredo  I would like to thank my mom and dad to drive me to Omar’s house.  I would like to thank Diego and Omar to be my partners. 4.We  We would like to thank Maria Lydia Vela for letting us interview her.