Oral History Collaborations

In this interview, originally recorded in person, Juanita Sulay Wilson speaks with Meleia Simon-Reynolds, a member of the Watsonville is in the Heart team. This interview is focused on Juanita's mother, Virginia Alice Viner, and her membership and role in the Watsonville Filipino Women's Club, as well as Juanita's own foundational role in the Watsonville High School Filipino Youth Club. Throughout the interview, Juanita describes the events and services the Filipino Women's Club provided to the community in Watsonville. She explains the racial dynamics within the club and community, including how white women like her mother were accepted into the organization. Juanita recalls how her mother saw herself within the community and discusses changing community dynamics when Filipino migrants arrived in Watsonville, especially after 1965. She also details the development of her own identity as a mixed-race person, explaining the ways members of the Filipino Women's club and her mother –thought about race. Then, Juanita explains the creation and activities of the Filipino Youth Club. She explains the connections between the founding of the Youth Club and other Filipino community organizations in Watsonville. Juanita emphasizes that she and other members of the Youth Club felt it was important to claim and celebrate their Filipino identities.