doi:10.7916/d8-hh2f-g789Oral history interview with Antonia Hernández : 1999Hernández, Antoniaoral historiesmixed materialWomen lawyersCivil rights lawyersHispanic American lawyersLegal assistance to Hispanic AmericansMexican Americans--Civil rightsHernández, AntoniaCarnegie Corporation of New YorkMexican American Legal Defense and Educational FundChildhood: born in rural community, Mexico, moved to East Los Angeles 1956, women role models in family, mother's progressive views; education: public school in Mexico and US, UCLA 1966, involvement in activism, UCLA Graduate School of Education, UCLA Law School 1974; motivation for helping Hispanic community: importance of law as a tool for social change, involvement in civil rights movement, experiences as Hispanic woman; opinions about women's movement; career: work as clerk for Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF), Legal Services Program in East L.A. 1974-1977, head of Legal Services Office; Federal Judiciary Committee Staff Council 1978: initial reluctance to join, move to Washington D.C., new experience in political environment, work for Ted Kennedy campaign; work for MALDEF 1981: history of MALDEF, Voting Rights Act of 1982, immigration issues; move back to L.A.; president of MALDEF 1985-: difficulties encountered, creating strategies for MALDEF, funding sources; Carnegie Corporation funding: working with Carnegie staff, importance of Carnegie funding, gaining inside knowledge of funding organizations; opinions about private philanthropy and organizational funding.