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Carlotta Hernandez Terry Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0457

Scope and Contents

The Carlotta Hernandez Terry Collection (1951-2006) documents Hernandez's accomplishments as a singer-songwriter and painter. Of particular interest are transcripts of the songs written by the artist as well as pieces of her artwork. Also included are photographs of Hernandez's musical performances and paintings, including the Tierra Mia mural at Chicano Park. The majority of the material dates from 1970-1980 and focuses on her artistic achievements. Filed alphabetically, the collection consists of photographs, correspondence, news articles, flyers and video recordings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1951-2006
  • Creation: Majority of material found in 1970-1980

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Biographical Note

Carlotta (Charlotte) Hernandez Terry was born in San Diego on April 13, 1937 and was raised in Logan Heights and National City. She attended the Seventh Day Adventist Elementary School until 1951, and studied voice at a young age. Hernandez attended San Diego City College where she studied bilingual education and technical illustration, and worked as a teaching assistant for the Chicano Studies Department. She also attended San Diego State University where she took courses in the Mexican-American Studies department. Hernandez became an accomplished singer, songwriter, and artist during the 1960s and 1970s when she composed protests songs, becoming known as the "Chicana Bob Dylan." Hernandez's accomplishments include performing at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C., and conducting a music workshop in Mexico City at the International Women's Year Conference in 1975. Hernandez also performed at many universities and colleges, and served as a planner and muralist for the Chicano Park Steering Committee from 1972-1979. In 1977 she was also a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts teaching grant. Some of her signature songs include "Living in the Barrio, Life Is Just Like That" and "Mamma Works Hard for Her Weekly Pay." Hernandez had a long career that included community work counseling juveniles, battered women, and H.I.V. patients. She worked for the Maximize Access to Advance our Community (M.A.A.C.) project, San Diego County Probation Department, San Diego Unified School District, the San Diego County Chicano Federation, and was a member of the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women in 1977. Carlotta Hernandez Terry passed away June 16, 2006 at her home in National City.

Extent

0.84 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Spanish; Castilian

Source of Acquisition

Christine Clausner and Deborah Reigel

Accruals

2010-021, 2011-005

Title
Carlotta Hernandez Terry Collection
Status
Completed
Date
12/10/2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego CA 92182-8050 US
619-594-6791