Oral history interview, Euvaldo Valdez, 2013 (video and transcript)

In this interview Euvaldo Valdez, born 1940, discusses his family’s roots in Abo, New Mexico on a merced land grant, his life growing up in Abo and in Albuquerque, and how he came to live in Boulder in 1969. He talks about his employment as director of community information and services for the Boulder Valley Public Schools and his position as one of only a few Hispanics working in the school administration. In that position he made it a point to meet many ethnic minorities in the school district, find out their opinions about how the schools could be improved, and begin several programs for minorities to be more involved in in the affairs of the school district. He describes his levels of acceptance by the Chicano and Anglo communities in Boulder in 1969. He offers examples from high school of his character taking life seriously but not too seriously. Throughout the interview, Euvaldo emphasizes the fact that one must “give before they ask,” always help people and recognize the help one gets from others, beliefs inspired by his mother. One person he is currently leading efforts to recognize is Emma Martinez, who was a leader in Boulder’s Hispanic community. He asserts that one issue Boulder must focus on is balance, particularly on achieving the balance of social goals with political and environmental goals. He ends by emphasizing the need to educate Hispanic youth and help them reach their goals.