Becoming an Activist

Hi my name is Marta Ibarra and I am from Guadalajala, Jalisco. I arrived here at Oakland in the 80's. I came to Oakland because here I found a a job, I found security, and I felt safe here with my children. I am happy to be here in Oakland. I had two transformations, in myself and in the community. After sometime here, I became member of ACORN. We began by cleaning the streets. We were organizing ourselves to have a nice city, to have pretty streets. After the Oakdale Charter School was closed. There was talk about opening the ACORN school on Rudsdale and 81st here in Oakland. There was the project of opening the school but unfortunately many where opposed because of the factories. We wanted the school so we continued fighting for it. We went to City Hall, we went to Second Ave. And even though there was much opposition, we continue with the struggle. We collected signatures, we fought hard. And in the end the school was built. Our voices were heard. They laid the first brick. They installed portables. Today, two of my children have graduated from this school, and I two more currently are enrolled at the school. Everyone here is very happy. We continue keeping the streets clean. And even when my children are done with school here, I will continue to be involved. I will continue helping Acorn Woodland. To be at home all the time doesn't bring you any good. It is better to be active in something positive. Because when I was at home doing nothing, I didn't feel useful. But now that I am involved in this and I feel like a different person. My life has changed and I feel transformed. The changes were really good, very positive. Because in the end I realized that all this sacrifice and all that we fought for has had good results. It's motivation to continue fighting for the community and the school.