A vivid depiction of the early injustices encountered by a young
Mexican-American girl in San Antonio in the 1920's, this book tells the
true story of Emma Tenayuca. Emma learns to care deeply about poverty
and hunger during a time when many Mexican Americans were starving to
death and working unreasonably long hours at slave wages in the city's
pecan-shelling factories. Through astute perception, caring, and
personal action, Emma begins to get involved, and eventually, at the age
of 21, leads 12,000 workers in the first significant historical action
in the Mexican-American struggle for justice. Emma Tenayuca's story
serves as a model for young and old alike about courage, compassion, and
the role everyone can play in making the world more fair.