Hispanic Heritage Month - Eugenia Victoria Gaytan
Her name is Eugenia Victoria Gaytan, and she is an immensely proud Mexican American. Her father hailed from Phoenix AZ and her born in Mexico. Born and raised in South West USA, her Mexican culture shines through “…as it is my character committed to the values of family, a strong work ethic and personal responsibility that where instilled in me at an early age. Growing up, my parents always told me that I identified with my Hispanic roots because I was made in Mexico and assembled in the United States.” What an analogy for a girl to comprehend as her mother migrated to the United States when she was eight (8) months pregnant.
Vicky feels her values are reflected every day in her dedication to the way she was raised. “…I believe this because every day I come to work with the ‘si se puede’ attitude to face any new tasks that my job might require from me. Simply translated to mean ‘yes we can,’ the phrase originated from Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez during the movement for Mexican farmers rights. My mother raised me with this mentality, to keep me motivated, to keep going, and to never stop.”
Vicky looks forward to the celebrations that come with her heritage. She stated how extremely happy she is from September 15 to October 15: it is Hispanic Heritage month! Explaining some of the history for a battle of independence for Mexico from Spain, “…it’s an honor to share my culture and traditions with others. Hispanic Heritage Month teaches that Mexico has so much to offer besides amazing food. Mexico is enriched with so much history that demonstrates all the hard work and struggles behind it.”
Family traditions are always celebrated, and Vicky had many fond memories to share. One that she often recalls during Hispanic heritage month “…is when my abuelita taught me how to make tortillas de harina (flour tortillas). She always decided to make tortillas after making a fresh bash of frijoles. I can recall all the ingredients she used from the flour, salt, manteca and water. Especially when she made them into little balls and extended them using the roller pin. I can remember the way they fluffed up on the hot comal. I remember her saying ‘las penas con pan son buenas’ meaning that all griefs with bread are less as we ate them with queso.”
The Dia de La Virgen de Guadalupe, one of Vicky’s favorites, is celebrated on December 12. Traditions allow her to practice her Catholicism. “…In preparation of this special day, my family and I set up an altar…with a picture of La Virgen de Guadalupe surrounded by flowers, votive candles, and ribbon. We place a Nativity below her preparing for Christmas. On the Day of the Virgen, we gather as a family at midnight, go to church to singing ‘Las Mañanitas’ to her. Once mass is complete, we drink chocolate caliente and eat tamales.”
The Celebration of El Dia de Los Muertos is also honored in her culture: it allows the living to honor their loved ones who have passed. “We work extremely hard during the month of October making the Ofrendas. The Ofrendas consist of a picture of our departed loved ones, lighted candles, special foods, flowers, water, crucifix, rosaries, papel picado, calaveras de azucar, and basically anything that they might have liked when they were alive. We make every Ofrenda with love and respect. We talk about memories that we have until the actual celebration November 1-2 because…in Hispanic culture, we believe that a bridge opens that allows our departed loved ones to visit the living. On those days we go to the cemetery and clean the tombstones, leave flowers, and pray.”
In chatting, I learned of a few other ‘traditions’ in Vicky’s life: a passion for music and a love of soccer! “Banda, better known as a regional Mexico genre is my style of choice, the ensemble consisting of wind instruments, mostly of brass, and percussion. It often features 3 Trumpets, 4 clarinets, 3 valve trombones, 2 Eb alto horns, and 1 sousaphone.” Her favorite Banda’s include El Recodo, Banda Carnaval, Banda Adictiva and Banda MS. As Vicky puts it “…the music inspires me to get motivated at work or working out… I love to dance, especially wearing my cowgirl boots.” Vicky also learned Folklorico as a youngster. Growing up, she performed for every Cinco de Mayo and Día del Grito.
And then there is soccer, a family passion passed down from generation to generation. Her favorite teams are Las Aguilas del America, La Seleccion de Mexico, and of course Team USA! “My Family and I will attend any local game we can get to…or we watch them on TV while eating delicious carne asada. We do not all root for the same teams, but that is what makes it more fun.”
Vicky, thank you for bringing your high spirits to work with the TMG family every day…and thank you for sharing so many fond memories.