My name is Margarita Vidales Ramírez. Daughter of María Irene Ramírez and Nicolas Vidales. Sister to six sisters and two brothers.
“I was invisible for a long time after the death of my father Nicolas Vidales. The question of whose family I belonged to was not answered.”
Even 10 years after his death and having achieved what no one in my family has done, (graduating from college) I feel like I’m starting to find a piece of me. I’m not intimidated at hearing a man’s voice. I feel powerful that I can have my voice heard and that it is worth it.
I love reflecting around me. To stop for a moment and help the person next to me. I’m not selfish like a lot of people have been with me.
I’ve lived all my life in a world of machismo where women are nobody. Every day that goes by I’m still in the fight to have a voice. The question… what do I see? I observe the power, dedication, respect, communication, with my influence. I feel powerful at being able to write in my native language. I don’t have to introduce my history for people to understand.
Questioning continues, who am I? I am Margarita Vidales, Mexican born in Zamora, Michoacán, Mex. Immigrant. Roots planted in Salinas, California. Voice of my people. Observer of the world.
Storyteller Margarita Vidales is a recent graduate of Cal State Monterey Bay. She is currently working for the Service-Learning Institute at CSUMB and is in the process of attending an MSW program. She’s Mexican born, and raised in Salinas, Ca.
