Watch: Jovita Idar Discussion

As part of our Hispanic/LatinX heritage month celebration, Nonotuck gathered recently to watch and discuss a short documentary on Mexican-American journalist, activist, and suffragist Jovita Idar. The event was presented by Nonotuck’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI & B) committee.

Nonotuck staff discussed many topics across the hour-long event, including learning from Idar’s legacy, its relevance to the ongoing efforts within Nonotuck’s DEI & B initiatives, the importance of showing up for these conversations, learning from one another, and staying committed to fostering inclusion and understanding. We also discussed unity, learning from difficult dialogues, and celebrating Latinx heritage by reflecting on the contributions of inspiring figures like Jovita Idar.

“Honoring figures like Jovita Idar is essential not just in recognizing the struggles and achievements of the past, but in reinforcing our commitment to inclusion and social justice today,” says Nonotuck CEO/President George H. Fleischner. “At Nonotuck, these conversations help us grow, stay connected, and ensure that our ongoing efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging remain at the forefront of everything we do.”

About Jovita Idar

Born in 1885 in Laredo, Texas, Idar was immersed in journalism and activism from a young age, thanks to her father, Nicasio Idar, a newspaper editor and civil rights advocate. After earning her teaching certificate, she quickly grew disillusioned by the poor conditions and segregation in schools for Mexican-American students, leading to her joining her family’s newspaper, La Crónica. It was there that she passionately wrote about racism and supported the Mexican Revolution. 

In 1911, she and her family organized the First Mexican Congress to address issues like education and economic inequality among Mexicans on both sides of the border. Around this time, she also founded the League of Mexican Women, advocating for women’s suffrage and education.

During the Mexican Revolution, Idar worked as a nurse with La Cruz Blanca and later returned to Texas, where she boldly protested U.S. intervention in Mexico. This led to the shutdown of El Progreso, the newspaper she worked for, by Texas Rangers. Undeterred, she continued her activism, running La Crónica after her father’s death, and later became an editor for a Methodist publication. Idar remained a dedicated advocate for Mexican-American rights until her death in 1946, remembered for her belief in the power of educating women.