Dreams & Life on the Prairie -Mexicans and Illinois Railroads in the Early 20 th Century Presenter: Sal Valadez, Representative for Diversity & Outreach Laborers‟ International Union of North America (LiUNA) - Midwest Region 15 th Annual Conference on Illinois History Springfield, Illinois 27 September 2013
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Mexicans & Illinois Railroads - Early 20th century
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Dreams & Life on the Prairie -Mexicans and Illinois Railroads
in the Early 20th CenturyPresenter: Sal Valadez, Representative for Diversity & Outreach
Laborers‟ International Union of North America (LiUNA) - Midwest Region
15th Annual Conference on Illinois History
Springfield, Illinois
27 September 2013
Artist‟s StatementThis painting, entitled Dreams and Life on the Prairie/Sueños y Vida en la Llanura, was
“commissioned” by my husband Sal Valadez to represent the project and discussion. Sal told
me of images he had in mind, what he envisioned the piece to portray and then trusted I would
use my talents as a painter and my experience as a member of my Mexican family to tell a story
through art.
I took the information Sal offered into consideration as well as memories of his father and
mother telling their story of how they came to the United States, and the many stories I have
heard from others who came here for a better life.
The sky, with the sun setting and twilight approaching is representative of dreams; dreams of
better things to come, dreams that family will be reunited. The train represents those that
worked for the railroads. The corn is a familiar and important image of both McLean County
and Mexico. The man, a worker, is seen with a photo of family in his pocket, family he hopes
can join him soon.
I wanted to show only half of his face, but I could not articulate why. Dr. Maura Toro-Morn did
that for me when she first viewed the work. “It is allegorical, many who came here, left part of
themselves and their lives behind.” Maura, gave me the words for what I as an artist tried to
project, but did not have the personal experience to say. It was an extreme honor to be asked
to do the piece for my husband, and for the McLean County Museum of History Latino
History Project‟s use of the image.
Rebecca “Bec” Hawkins-Valadez
This is a story of a journey.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Why did they come to Illinois?
When did they get here?
Where did they work?
How did they live?
What did they contribute?
HOW TO CONDUCT RESEARCH
I. Research of the Historical Record (census and immigration records,
newspaper articles, photographs, birth, marriage, and death records,
military service records, employment records)
II. Oral Histories
III. Share their of the stories through research papers, publications, and public
exhibits
WHEN ALL OF OUR STORIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE HISTORY
OF ILLINOIS, OUR LIVES ARE ENRICHED
The Chinese Exclusionary Act 1882
& the Mexican Revolution 1910–1930
World War I 1914 -1918
Mexican Revolution
Execution by the dreaded Rurales
Enforcers for the President of the Mexican Republic, Porfirio Diaz
WW II & The Bracero Program
1942 - 1964
U.S Railroad Ties to MexicoPublished: November 27, 1907