Edith's Story

I am part of a long Jewish diaspora, a small taste of which can be traced through the women in my family. My grandmother, mother, and sister were all worn in Israel/Palestine — under the Ottoman Empire, British Mandate, and after Israel’s independence, respectively. I was born in Italy, and my niece was born in Los Angeles. Through the generations, the places and names of the places we were born have been different or have changed, but our roots are deep and lead to the same source. 

Ann's Story

My Mother’s Grandfather Evans left Wales in the mid 1800’s to sail with his family to Baltimore. He was a copper refiner, a skill in demand in the US. He later joined the Gold Rush journey to California, and died in California before the date he was booked to sail back to Maryland. One of his grandsons later moved to Copper Canyon in Mexico to carry on the family copper refining tradition.

Ellen's Story

My mother Bessie Cohen Akawie, immigrated to America in 1921 from a small town named Krasna in Ukraine. She is part of the oral history project at Ellis Island NYC. She is also featured in The Red Star Line Immigration Museum in Antwerp Belgium.

Kailani's Story

Hi my name is Kailani, although I am born here my mom is an immigrant and came here to have a better education and life. She enjoys telling me about her childhood in Taiwan and how it was there and the cultural differences. I am glad that I am born in America and have the chances that I get when living here. I hope to one day visit my mom’s country to see how beautiful it is in real life.

Alma's Story

Second generation Mexican American. Grandparents are from Chihuahua, Mexico. Father from El Paso, Texas. Mother born on Chicago, Illinois.

I was born in West Covina, CA

Higher education both BA & MA.

Librarian.

Alina's Story

My family emigrated from Communist Romania in 1986, to LA County. I went to high school here and my story became a part of the incredibly diverse mix of stories that makes California so diverse, complex, and interesting.

Cathryn's Story

Born and raised in the UK, met and fell in love with an American while in college. Immigrated to Boston in 2001 to be with him, and now raising our son in Los Angeles. My heritage is English, Welsh, and Irish.

Mia's Story

I am a second generation Mexican/Filipina. My family has always lived in the San Fernando Valley. Fun fact my grandparents owned the first Asian grocery store in the Valley! 

Shelby's Story

My family is from Mexico so that means I’m Mexican but I live in Los Angeles. I love being Mexican because of the big family and the food and the dancing and my favorite part the music. We are all here today because she moved to the United States and her brothers and sisters followed her along

Elmer's Story

I came from the land they call the pearl of the orient. It was the first quarter of 2001 when I arrived to fulfill the American dream. Little did I know that in a few months the twin towers in the east would be destroyed and America won’t be the same again, still if you work hard you will be able to achieve your dream. This is really the land of opportunity.

Rocky's Story

Me and my brothers were born here. Our grandparents fled Guatemala in the 80s due to conflict with the communist government. My grandfather’s friend was secretly part of a party against the unfair rule of the country. The friend owned a jewelry store and asked for my grandfather to take care and run the shop while he was away. Sadly, the friend was killed. The government at the time was very, very unjust and marked my grandfather as a target and labeled him as part of the party against the government. My mother, aunts, and uncle along with my grandmother had to flee for their safety, as the government was threatening harm upon the entire family. It took a long while, but they made it to America. Later my great grandmother came along with them. I am proud of my family’s origins and determination to get to a better life.