ITEMS

Yolanda Bates interview 1, July 6, 2007

Yolanda Mendiola Bates talks about her childhood in Mexico, her parent’s divorce and her father’s remarriage, being raised by her grandmother and aunts and her relationship with her brothers. She talks about competitive swimming, including participating in the Central American Games and her aspirations to make the 1976 Olympic Games, including coming the U.S. at 15 to swim in for 6 months, and her devastation an not being selected for the team although she was most qualified. She talks about the Mexican National coach encouraging her to swim in college. She also discusses courtship traditions in Mexico, her 15th birthday party, choosing a dance party instead of a quinceañera. She discusses the difficulties she experienced when she was in the US as a teen and not speaking English well. She talks about people’s attitudes towards Latinos in general. She talks about choosing to accept a swimming scholarship at BYU [Brigham Young University] over an offer to walk on the University of Texas at Austin swim team. She talks about feeling like a misfit (stuck between two cultures) after coming to the U.S. She talks about beginning to date “American” boys her fifth year of college; and meeting and marrying a young man from Utah. She also talks about her family. She gives her opinion about the differences between small communities and larger communities and competition. She talks about prejudices she has faced as a Latina and woman coach. She talks about the difficulties a multicultural couple faces. She also compares Mexican and American culture and tradition.

The original of this item can be found at Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, Latino Voices, FOLK COLL 38 Box 1.

2007-07-06

Reproduction for publication, exhibition, web display or commercial use is only permissible with the consent of the USU Libraries Special Collections and Archives, (435) 797-2663.

Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives

Latino/Latina Voices Project, 2007, 2012

Latino/Latina Voices Project inventory can be found at: http://nwda.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv83200

Latino Voices

http://digital.lib.usu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/Latino/id/645