Guest Editorial – Cindy Olivas
Cindy Olivas, a member of the Leadership Team, led the effort to set up the League of Women Voters of Yakima County’s ofrenda for the Día de los Muertos celebration, with support from League members Criss Bardill and Joy McKinney. This month’s President’s message features a guest editorial from Cindy, sharing her experience with the event and reflecting on the meaning of being a League member.
Hello League Members and Friends,
Recently, I was fortunate to help with the building and designing of the League of Women Voters’ ofrenda (altar) that was on display at the Valley Mall in Union Gap. It was part of the Dia De Los Muertos celebration. Even though my family did not participate in this tradition, there was a beautiful sense of pride. For one, it brought me closer to who I have become. Second, it showed that the League recognizes the diverse community organizations and their cultures, coming together to honor the loss of loved ones and civic-minded people who served and fought for each of us to live our lives with purpose. We honored Women’s Suffrage.
Before the ofrendas were dismantled, I was able to see all the displays. I saw pictures of people I knew and saw as role models, people I have worked with, and people I admired and respected. One woman I knew from childhood made me emotional upon seeing her photo on an altar. She happened to be Hispanic. This woman knew that the fields and orchards would not bring financial stability for her children. She went to college, earned a Bachelor of Education degree, and later a master’s in administration. While teaching, she worked with many migrant and Hispanic families to encourage school attendance. She was the first Hispanic woman I knew who had gone to college and pursued an educational career. Her parents and my father’s family shared many gatherings and worked in the fields after arriving in Yakima.
My own mother and father did not finish school and never graduated, but my dad instilled in me a commitment to education and strong work ethics. I never stopped thinking about graduating from high school and one day going to college. I graduated high school but didn’t attend college until my mid-thirties. This woman was my role model; I never forgot that I could improve my situation in life by seeking higher education. She inspired me not to give up on going to college if that was what I wanted.
Also, my father and I discussed social and political structures around the world when I was very young, at age 8 or 9. I learned about Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism, as well as what the Democratic and Republican parties aspired to do for this country. I became civic-minded and developed a belief in democracy, justice, and equality for all people. I also admired Catherine May, the first woman elected to Congress from Washington State and a U.S. Representative from Washington; we even shared the same birth date.
Being a member of the League of Women Voters in Yakima County has given me opportunities to be involved in many ways, from tabling to participating in community events. I would like to ask each member, what motivated you to join? Was it inspiration from family or education? I would love to see all of us come together to make our organization stronger. This League stays strong when we all pitch in to defend our right to vote and uphold democracy.
I hope to see many of you at our next quarterly meeting on November 20 at 4:30 at the YWCA Second Floor Conference Room.
Cindy Olivas,
LWVYC member since September 2022
