Moreno, Luisa (1907–1992)

Born to an upper-class family in Guatemala, Blanca Rosa Lopez Rodrigues changed her name to Luisa Moreno after she became active in organized labor. She went to school in Oakland, California, and upon completion returned to Guatemala and worked for various newspapers. In 1928 she moved to New York City and supported her unemployed husband and infant daughter by working in a garment factory. She became a radical activist for Workers' rights and a labor organizer in reaction to that industry's deplorable working conditions. Moreno believed that unions could greatly benefit the poorly educated worker.

In the 1930s she became a professional labor organizer and reportedly joined the Communist Party. She became a champion for Mexican American women and other minorities against oppressive employers. Her bilingual ...