We are a collective Chicanx and Indigenous community taking up space in all spheres of decision making that impact our community. This is our legacy and our right.
WHO WE ARE
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Our History
For 50 years, our organizing has been volunteer-led and we draw specifically on the Chicano Movement of the 1960’s and 70’s for continued leadership and to remain rooted in our values. Our members maintain deep community relationships and have led countless efforts to address issues that affect Pueblo and the surrounding areas. We are both sustained by veteranos of the Movement and we continue to attract younger generations interested in fomenting their own sense of belonging and building the kind of community where our needs are met.
Our Founder
Local grassroots social justice activist, the late Rita J. Martinez, left a legacy of justice efforts to uplift our community. Luckily, she also planted and cultivated seeds in many people, organizations, and efforts that are now blooming. She passed on several batons for others to grasp and continue the work.
As a founder of the nonprofit, El Movimiento Sigue, Rita set in motion the goal of having a long lasting effort in Pueblo that would continue organizing, educating, and doing systems change work with folks impacted by marginalization and historic neglect — primarily Chicanx, Indigenous, and immigrant people. Since the fall of 2020, El Movimiento Sigue (EMS) has been involved in several efforts to do exactly that.
Our Objectives
to provide opportunities for participants to engage in conferences, educational trainings, and other learning opportunities unique to people of color and historically excluded communities
to sponsor, host and/or participate in events and activities that promote social justice
to preserve and celebrate Chicanx/Indigenous cultures and their history
to commemorate individuals who were significant contributors in El Movimiento
to collaborate with other community entities
Our Board
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Denise Torrez
President
Denise is a native Puebloan and retired elementary school teacher. She has a passion for equity and social justice. She has served as EMS president since the organization formalized as a 501c3 in 2020.
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Dra. Victoria Obregon
Vice President
Dra. Victoria Obregon shows her heart work through organizing in her community as a Proud Chicana. If you can’t find her organizing, she is in a classroom doing what she loves teaching.
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Tomás Martinez Ortega
Treasurer
Tomás is a lifelong Chicano Activist in Pueblo, CO. He is passionate about creating positive change in his community and currently serves as treasurer.
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Naomi Garcia Murillo
Secretary
Naomi is a Pueblo Native and has been a Dental assistant for the past 14 years. She grew up a child of the movement and is proud to continue her family's legacy. She currently serves as secretary.
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Judy Baca
At Large
Judy is a lifelong educator who recently retired after 43 years as a Professor and Chicano Studies chair at Colorado State University - Pueblo. She has been active in the Pueblo Chicano community for decades.
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Dra. Deborah Martinez Martinez
At Large
Deborah is the CEO of the publisher Vanishing Horizons and is an author who explores the history of the Southwestern United States. She worked in higher education admissions and recruitment for over 20 years.
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Theresa M. Trujillo
At Large
Theresa is a community organizer with decades of experience in facilitation, deepening community engagement, and campaign management. She presently serves as Co-Executive Director at Center for Health Progress.
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José Ortega
Executive Director
José is a lifelong Puebloan and a proud Chicano. His passion for history led him to attend Colorado State University-Pueblo, majoring in history and minoring in Chicano Studies. He was the Exhibits and Collections Coordinator/Museum of Memory Manager at History Colorado for five years. He helped to design and build multiple cultural exhibits across the state of Colorado. He is now the Executive Director of El Movimiento Sigue.
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Chela Lujan
Community Organizer
Chela Lujan believes in the transformative power of acts of service, direct action, community building and the imperative of creating a better and beautiful world for future generations. Through the treads of ceremony and familial love, and rooted in the practice of voluntary mutual aid, she strives to be a catalyst of change.
Our Wisdom Circle
"We honor and recognize the veteranos of our Movement. These are the folks who will serve as a consilio, as a Wisdom Circle, to guide the organization's values so we stay true to the work of those who came before us. Our board of directors will call on them periodically to give wise counsel. They are the face of and the heart of El Movimiento Sigue."
L-R Back Row: Carmen Arteaga, Maria Vega Clark, Deborah Espinosa, Juan Espinosa, Vicente Martinez Ortega, Bernie Esquibel Tennant, Shirley Romero, Dario Madrid
Front Row: Velia Rincon, Neva Martinez Ortega
Honoring those who have passed
“Do one thing for the movement each day.”
— Rita J. Martinez, 1955 - 2020
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
The movement starts with you! Donate, Volunteer for one of our events or become a member of El Movimiento Sigue and help your community thrive today and for generations to come.