Alcala Yearbook 2003

The Assoc iati on of Chi cana Ac ti vists (A.Ch.A) whi ch began at US D in 1995 . is an orga ni zati on that fos ters a suppo rti ve environment. as we ll as opportuni ties for Chi canas/Latin as lo become strong advoca tes for ed uca ti on, cul tural awa reness and dOiG , .A tivists soc ial issues . Our mi ss ion is to empowe r ourse lves. women. and our community by charg ing ind ividuals with the des ire fo r freedom. se lf-dete rminati on and se lf-suffi ciency. A.Ch.A is a prog ress ive organi zati on that prov ides the opportuni ty fo r women to poli sh their leade rship skill s and empowe rs Chi canas/Latin as to move within pos iti ons of powe r. We are committed to prac ti cing our va lues in all as pects of our li ves. Our organi za ti on helps its members become cultu ra ll y awa re o r the issues that embody la Mujer (the Woman) and our community as a whole. enab ling us to liberate our co nsc iousness. The logoo f A.Ch.Awas in spired from the life of the "Mes ti za.'· Her face has a rose which cove rs her right eye. The nowe r is releas ing a drop (a dew or tear drop). Thi s element symboli zes the dreams and hopes of childhood. as we ll as the frustrati on and pa in caused by the troubl es and chall enges th at co nfro nt us and conspire to keep us opp ressed. From her le ft eye emerges a dove in ni ght. represe nting the desperate sea rch fo r Ii berati on. se lf-determin ati on.se lf-suffici ency and love of se l r. The A.Ch.A logo is to a deg ree a portra it of eve ry Chicana . We must stretch our win gs .foll ow our dreams . and surmount every obstac le .