Interviewer
Gregorio Cardona
Project
Stories from the Chamizal Library
Summary of Interview
Martina Estrada was born and raised in Durango, Durango, Mexico. She recalled memories from her childhood and playing games such as canicas (marbles), dodgeball, and chinchilagua. In 1979, she immigrated to the U.S. when she was about 15 or 16 years old, and she learned English at the Lamar adult school. In El Paso, Estrada would spend some weekends dancing at the Montana Village dance club where she met her husband. She mentioned different aspects of her life in the city and about her time at the Hilos de Plata Senior center in South Central El Paso. Estrada shared insights into knitting and navigating the art markets in Downtown El Paso where she sold her creations. She discussed at great lengths about the process of becoming a U.S. resident and then, a U.S. citizen, and converting to Christianity.
Date of Interview
4-14-2026
Interview Number
1835
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Matrina Estrada by Gregorio Cardona, 2026, "Interview No. 1835," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Interview conducted in Spanish.