López was born in Mexico City in 1978, but grew up with her grandparents in a very small town called Huaycali in the state of Guerrero. Recalling her childhood, López reminisces about the responsibilities she had as a peasant girl and describes the customs and celebrations of her land. As a teenager, she crossed the border with her family and, after a difficult and dangerous journey, arrived in Johns Island, South Carolina, where one of her aunts lived. Almost immediately, López started working in the fields to pay for the expenses of her trip. A short time later, a young friend from Mexico came looking for her. They were married soon after, and have been together ever since. They have two children and consider Johns Island their place in the world. In her interview, López explains that education is very important to her and her husband, which is why they have made an effort to learn, better themselves, and train as community leaders. In this learning process, she explains, the sisters of Our Lady of Mercy played a crucial role. López also reflects on her work with various community organizations such as PASOs, Family Corps, and Holy Spirit Parish.López nació en la Ciudad de México en 1978 pero creció junto a sus abuelitos, en un pueblo muy pequeño llamado Huaycali en el estado de Guerrero. Recordando su infancia, López cuenta acerca de las responsabilidades que tenía como niña campesina y describe las costumbres y celebraciones de su tierra. Siendo adolescente, cruzó la frontera con su familia y después de un viaje azaroso y difícil llegó a Johns Island, South Carolina donde residía una de sus tías. Apenas llegada, Alma comenzó a trabajar en la agricultura para poder pagar los gastos de su viaje. Al poco tiempo, un joven amigo de México llegó a buscarla y enseguida se casaron. Desde entonces López y su esposo han estado juntos. Tienen dos hijos y consideran a Johns Island su lugar en el mundo. López explica que la educación es muy importante para ella y su marido y que por esa razón se han esforzado en aprender y formarse como líderes comunitarios. En ese proceso de aprendizaje, su relación con las hermanas de Our Lady of Mercy tuvo un rol fundamental. López, también reflexiona acerca de su trabajo con distintas organizaciones comunitarias como PASOs, Family Corps y la Parroquia Holy Spirit.
Bordallo was born in San Pedro Coahuila, Mexico, where she lived with her parents and six brothers until moving to the United States. Her father was a milliner and businessman. In 1978, she got married and crossed the border with her new husband. They arrived in Florida and stayed to work in agriculture, from there traveling to Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and anywhere they were needed. They had three children. In 1986, they decided to settle on Johns Island because they wanted a more stable life and better educational opportunities for their children. They kept working on the fields and lived in a camp located on River Road. There, they met the sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, who visited the families and helped them to access community resources. Aspiring to a better quality of life for her family, Bordallo strove to acquire their own house through Habitats for Humanity. Bordallo and her husband regularized their legal status by accepting the amnesty granted by the Reagan administration and later became US citizens.Bordallo nació en San Pedro Coahuila, México y allí vivió junto a sus padres y seis hermanos hasta que emigró a Estados Unidos. Su padre fabricaba sombreros y se dedicaba a los negocios. En 1978, se casó y con su flamante marido cruzó la frontera. Se instalaron en Florida para trabajar en el campo y desde allí viajaban a Virginia, las Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, donde quiera que hubiera trabajo en la cosecha. Tuvieron tres hijos. En 1986 pensando en el bien y la educación de los niños decidieron establecerse en Johns Island. Al campo donde vivían, ubicado en River Road, comenzaron a llegar de visita las hermanas de Our Lady of Mercy y ellas los ayudaron a acceder a recursos comunitarios. Aspirando a una mejor calidad de vida para su familia luchó para conseguir su propia vivienda con Habitat for Humanity. Bordallo y su esposo se acogieron a la amnistía otorgada por el gobierno del presidente Reagan y más tarde se convirtieron en ciudadanos americanos.
In the second part of her interview, Bordallo recalls how her life changed after her family settled on Johns Island and explains how the island's Latino community has grown in recent years. Bordallo explains that their family has always valued education very highly, and, for that reason, she and her husband did not hesitate to invest their efforts in sending their children to private Catholic schools, first to Nativity and later to Bishop England. Bordallo is also proud of having paid for her children’s college education costs, and is happy to say they are now independent adults, giving her the opportunity to pursue her own projects, study, and travel. Bordallo works as a young children's teacher at Rural Mission, is a student at Trident Technical College, and remains an active member of Holy Spirit Parish on Johns Island. En esta segunda parte de la entrevista, Bordallo recuerda como cambió su vida después que su familia se estableció en Johns Island y describe cómo la comunidad latina de la isla ha crecido en los últimos años. Bordallo explica que la educación siempre ha sido un valor muy importante para su familia y que, por esa razón, ella y su esposo no dudaron en invertir sus esfuerzos para que sus hijos fueran a escuelas privadas católicas, primero a Nativity y más tarde a Bishop England. Bordallo se enorgullece también de haber pagado por los estudios universitarios de sus hijos y tener la capacidad, ahora que ellos son adultos independientes, de abocarse a sus propios proyectos, estudiar y viajar. Bordallo trabaja como maestra de niños pequeños en Rural Mission, estudia en Trident Tech y es miembro activo de la parroquia Holy Spirit en Johns Island.
Lu Edna Capers (1915) was born and raised in Johns Island, S.C. Capers, like her mother and her siblings, attended Promise Land School, a segregated school for black children on the island. In this interview, Capers recalls her experiences at Promise Land describing the school building and its inadequate equipment. She explains how the classes were organized, what were the students' routines and responsibilities, and the games they played. She also recalls some of her teachers, among them civil right leader Septima Clark.
Willa Mae Freeman was born and lived most of her life on Johns Island. In this interview Freeman recalls growing up in a rural environment and learning to work on farming since early age. She also remembers her days at Promise Land School, a segregated school for black children. She describes the precarious school structure and the students' responsibilities and routines. When she was in fourth grade, Promise Land building was closed and all the students were transferred to Mt. Zion Elementary. Then, for the first time, they rode the school bus and had access to the bookmobile. Freeman reflects about the importance of education and expresses her concerns for the problems that happen at school nowadays.
Fotografía en color de un grupo de estudiantes de Nativity School junto con el obispo Robert E. Guglielmone durante la ceremonia de inauguración de las obras del nuevo templo de la iglesia católica Holy Spirit en Johns Island. / Color photograph of a group of Nativity School students with Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Holy Spirit Catholic Church building on Johns Island.
Event program entitled, "Esau Jenkins…His Legacy," co-produced by the Caw Caw Interpretive Center and the Jenkins Family, sponsored by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission.
Fotografía en color de mujeres y niños recogiendo monedas del suelo. La foto fue tomada a la salida del bautismo del hijo de Juana Torres en la puerta de la iglesia Holy Spirit en Johns Island. Es una tradición mexicana que los padrinos del bautismo den "bolo" en este día especial. / Color photograph of women and children picking coins from the floor. The photo was taken after Juana Torre's son's christening at the door of the Holy Spirit Church in Johns Island. It is a Mexican tradition for the godparents to give "bolo" in this special day.
Fotografía en color del hijo menor de Juana Torres y la enfermera de la escuela Mt Zion, Abbi Beckford. / Color photograph of Juana Torre's youngest child with Mt. Zion Elementary School Nurse, Abbi Beckford.
Volante de Charleston Dorchester Community Mental Health Center anunciando servicios terapéuticos bilingües disponibles para familias con niños pequeños en Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island y comunidades aledañas. / Flyer from the Charleston Dorchester Community Mental Health Department announcing bilingual counseling and therapeutic services to families with young children on Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, and surrounding communities.
Fotografía en color de una joven pareja de pie junto a una imagen de la Virgen de Guadalupe rodeada de rosas. La fotografía fue tomada el 12 de diciembre del 2000 en el antiguo edificio de la iglesia Holy Spirit en Johns Island. / Color photograph of a young couple standing by an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe surrounded by roses. The photograph was taken during the December 12, 2000 celebration at the old Holy Spirit Church building in Johns Island.
Fotografía en color de niños argentinos y colombianos disfrazos en una fiesta de halloween en la iglesia First Baptist en Johns Island. / Color photograph of Argentinian and Colombian children in their Halloween costumes at First Baptist Church on Johns Island.
Fotografía en color de una pareja de immigrantes mexicanos junto a un compañero de trabajo estadounidense cantando durante una fiesta de Navidad organizada por Sunny Side, la compañía que los empleaba. Los dos hombres están tocando la guitarra y la joven carga un niño en sus brazos. / Color photograph of a recently arrived Mexican couple and an American co-worker singing during a Christmas party organized by Sunny Side, the company that employed them. The two men are playing guitars and the young woman holds a child on her arms.
Fotografía en color de Mario Puga a la edad de veinte años. Se lo ve rodeado de plantas y sonriendo. La fotografía fue tomada en su lugar de trabajo, Beckets Nursery en Johns Island. / Color photograph of Mario Puga at age twenty. He is surrounded by plants and he is smiling. The photograph was taken at Beckets Nursery in Johns Island where he was employed.
Fotografía en color de Mario Puga asomándose a través del techo de su automóvil recientemente adquirido. La fotografía fue tomada en el vecindario construido por Habitat for Humanity, Esau Jenkins en Johns Island. / Color photograph of Mario Puga standing through the sunroof of his recently purchased car. The photo was taken in the Esau Jenkins Habitat for Humanity neighborhood in Johns Island.
Fotografía en color de Alma López a la edad de dieciséis años trabajando en Beckets Nursery en Johns Island. / Color photograph of Alma Lopez at age sixteen working in Beckets Nursery in Johns Island.
Correspondence from Rev. P. J. Hammitt and Mary B. Johnson, Pastor and Chairperson for St. Stephen A.M.E. Church, regarding the upcoming St. Stephen A.M.E. Church centennial.
Fotografía en color de trabajadores agrícolas en un campo de cultivo. Jesús Bordallo conduce un tractor que lleva un remolque en el que va su esposa María y otra mujer plantando tomates. Hacia atrás se ve otro tractor y varios trabajadores más. Los tractores hacen pequeños agujeros en el suelo y los humedecen y los trabajadores que se sientan en la plataforma colocan las plantas de tomate en ellos. Este campo estaba ubicado en Dairy Farm Rd, Johns Island, SC. / Color photograph of agricultural workers in a field. Jesus Bordallo is driving a tractor that pulls a trailer carrying his wife Maria and another female worker planting tomatoes. In the back there is another tractor and several more workers. The tractor makes little holes in the soil and drips water inside them and the workers sitting on the platform place the tomato plants in the holes. The farm was located at Dairy Farm Rd, Johns Island, South Carolina.
Announcement and program for the "Ceremony Officially Naming The S.C. 700 Bridge Over Church Creek Between Wadmalaw And Johns Island As The Esau Jenkins Memorial Bridge."
Correspondence from Abraham B. Jenkins tp Reverend McKinley Washington, Jr. thanking the recipient for "the initiative, effort and time" with regard to the Esau Jenkins Memorial Bridge on behalf of the Jenkins family.
Color photograph of Septima P. Clark with William "Bill" Jenkins, son of Esau Jenkins, Bernice Robinson, and a young woman at Comprehensive Health Center on Johns Island, South Carolina.
Correspondence from Ann Vick, Foxfire Program of the Institutional Development and Economic Affairs Service, to Thomas C. Carlo, Principal of the St. John's High School, regarding Foxfire programs.
Correspondence from James G. Blake to Esau Jenkins' widow, Janie Jenkins regarding Esau Jenkins' posthumous reciept of the Outstanding Freedom Fighter Citation, awarded by the "S.C. Conference of Branches of the NAACP."
Correspondence from Reverend Willis Goodwin, Chairman of the Board of Rural Mission, Inc., to friends of Rural Mission, Inc. informing the recipients of Esau Jenkins' death.
Color photograph of Septima P. Clark standing by a fence. Inscribed on back: "Septima Clark. Author of "Echo in My Soul" friend who showed me John's Island, S.C. Dec 7, 1971. Standing in fringe of home where land where she boarded is–now abandoned but owned–"
Typescript copy of J. Herman Blake's report to the Emil Schwarzhaupt Foundation entitled, "Citizen Participation. Democracy and Social Change," regarding community development in Johns Island, South Carolina and the Woodlawn Area on the south side of Chicago.
Correspondence from Gordon H. Garrett, Superintendent of the Charleston County School District, to Esau Jenkins congratulating the recipient for his appointment as a member of the Board of Trustees of Constituent School District Number 9.
State of South Carolina County of Charleston Department of Education member of the Board of Trustees for St. John's Constituent School District seal for Esau Jenkins.
Correspondence from Esau Jenkins to James B. Coaxum, Principal of Haut Gap High School, regarding Officers and Members of Citizens Committee and C. O. Federal Credit Union Annual Program.
Letter updating Jenkins on the progress of enrollees and applicants for the creation of a day care center. Letter also discusses building renovations for the center.
Correspondence from representatives from various Johns Island organizations to Gedney Howe, Chairwoman of the Antipoverty Program in Charleston, regarding a proposal submission.
Black and white photograph of group of children and adults arranged around a cafeteria. Inscription on back of image: "Health Program, Johns Island; Pupils and Parents; 1956; 74 cents; $1.00."
Black and white photograph of Dr. Leon Banov with Nurses Pembroke and Edwards. Inscription on back of image: "1956; Johns Island; Dr. Leon Banov; Nurse Pembroke–Black; Nurse Edwards–White."
Bookmobile serving African American children on John's Island. Seated at the table is Mae Holloway Purcell. Caption on back: "At Johns Island Negro Community House, 1950."
Lands of Paul Guerard called “The Hut," shows a public road and creeks, includes measurements. Names associated with this plat are Parker, W.B. Guerard, William Blacklock, Micah Jenkins, Thomas Humscoube, and Paul C. Grimball.
Caption: 'The advance upon Charleston--entrance to the Stono River, S.C.--from a sketch by Lieut. Coleman, 100th N.Y.S. Vol.' Also identified with captions: 'Kiawah Island and River. John's Island. Stono River. Cole's Island. Old Rebel Fort.' [full date April 25, 1863.]
Copy of plat of 342 acres on Johns Island. Very little detail, just an outline of the property with trees on the edges. Names associated with this plat are Thomas Ladson, Hanscome, Allen, William Wallisby, Robert Murens, and Brocher. Geographic locations are the Stono River, Colleton County and Johns Island.
200 acres laid out to Jonathan Stocks situated in Colleton County lying on the side of Kywa [Kiawah] Creek, shows surrounding properties with no land type or detail. Names associated with this plat are Jonathan Stock, John Jones, John Edenborough, Thomas Jones, and Thomas Weatherby.
Plat of 230 acres on Johns Island. Little detail included on the plat, but there is an short explanation of the deed. Names associated with this plat are John Jones, Ebenezer Simmons, James Witter, Samuel Palmevine, John Palmavin, and Welkins. Notable geographic locations included in this plat are the Keiwaugh [Kiawah] River, Coll’s Creek, Savannah Tract, Johns Island, and Colleton County.
Copy of a plan annexed to a deed for 177 acres given by Ebenezer Simmons to the John's Island Society lying adjoining the church on Johns Island. Names associated with this plat are Johns Island Society, Ebenezer Simmons, James Lawson, Robert Gibbes, William Boone, John Freer, George Scott, Thomas Smith, Daniel Doyley, Joshua Ward, John Hanyon, John Moultrie, Isaac Wraught, and John Stanyarn.
Work on paper in watercolor and ink. Pink church with two tall doors surrounded by forest. Handwritten note identifies location of site as John's Island.
Copy of two adjoining plats of lands on Johns Island originally granted to Ambrose Hill now belonging to Miller St. John. Copied from the plats annexed to the original grants in 1795. Names associated with these plats are Ambrose Hill, Miller St. John, Richard Floyd, the Lords Proprietors, Job Howe, N. Johnson, Thomas Broughton and Lambert Lanee. Notable geographic locations include Johns Island, Ambrose Hill, Bohicket Creek, and Colleton County.
Plat of two tracts of land on Johns Island, both are 300 acres. Notes give a brief description of the properties, the drawings include very little detail. Names associated with this plat include John Prescot, Anthony Mathews, Graemede, the Lords Proprietors, Robert Cole, Robert Gibbs, Heufville, Arnold, Richard Floyd and Thomas Broughton. Notable geographic locations include Colleton County, Kywah [Kiawah] Creek, and Johns Island.
Plan of a parcel of land situated on Johns Island and containing 86 1/2 acres. Being part of a body of land belonging to Thomas Mathews. Bounded northwardly by a public road, eastwardly on James Legare's land, and southwardly on land belonging to Isaac Holmes and Thomas Legare. Intended to be conveyed to Isaac Holmes. Names associated with this plat are Thomas Mathews, Isaac Holmes, Thomas Legare, William Stanyarn, Matthews and James Legare.
“Plan of parcel of land of late belonging to John Jones and now sold and conveyed by the said Jones to James Carsen for 850 acres but the request of the said Carsen. The said tract of land has been resurveyed and find it to contain but 805 acres of land or there about, so that the original survey must have taken in 45 acres of the marshes of Bohicket River...true copy taken from the original plat in the property of Mr. William Carsen in June 1794." Names associated with this plat are John Carsen, John Jones, James Carsen, William Chambers, James Young, Thomas Winborns, McDoul, Abigail Winborn, John Gibbs, Wilkins, and William Carsen. Notable geographic locations include St. John's Parish, Bohicket River, Wadmalaw River and Johns Island.
Copy of a plan of a plantation or tract of land lately sold to Isaac Holmes by James Legare lying on Johns Island, Charleston District from a plan annexed to Arleas from Thomas Legare and annexed to Isaac Holmes 1784. 380 acres. Names associated with this plat are Thomas Legare, James Legare, and Isaac Holmes. Notable geographic locations include Charleston District and Johns Island.
77 acres of marsh in two pieces situated on Johns Island along Stono River. Names associated with this plat are J.N. Mainville, Thomas Simmons, James Nicholas, Guervin, William Simmons and Marshall. Notable geographic locations are the Stono River, Johns Island, Charleston District, and Marshalls Creek.
120 acre plot purchased by George Rivers, shows Bohicket Creek and several smaller creeks, also denotes some marsh, highland, and riverbanks, the plot of land is divided into six smaller plots with "Broad Road" running between them. Names associated with this plat are John Rivers, Dr. Micah Jenkins, James Stanyon, George Rivers, Hearn, Matthews, Solomon Freer, William Spencer, James Rivers, John Taylor, Margaret Simpson, William Holmes, John Holmes and James Legare. Notable geographic locations are Bohicket Creek, Johns Island, and Colleton County.
600 acres plot granted to Richard Floyd residing in Colleton County lying and budding on the southside of Bohickett Creek, shows surrounding property names and creeks, shows land notes but no land type or details. Also shown is 200 acres granted by the Lords Proprietors by William Arnell in Colleton County. Names associated with this plat are Richard Floyd, Graeme [?], the Lords Proprietors, Michael Ranell, Thomas Broughton, Robert Gibbes, William Atnel, Timothy Bellemey, Anthony Matthews, Ambross Hill, John Prescot and Neufville. Notable geographic locations include John's Island, Bohickett Creek, Colleton County, Ambrose Hill, Stono River, and Keywa [Kiawah] Island.
Sipros Openen Plantation, 342 acre plantation in Colleton county near Stono River, an island plantation, shows property lines and no land detail, also shows surrounding area outside of the plantation. Names associated with this plat are William Willersby, Alens [?], Thomas Lattson, Robert Murens, Ambers Helle, Charles Craven, Hells and Thomas Broughton. Notable geographic locations include Colleton County, Stono River, Sipros Opener, and Johns Island.
