Celebrating Jovita Idár

Today’s Doodle celebrates Mexican-American journalist, educator, nurse, and activist Jovita Idár, a pioneer in the fight for Mexican-American civil rights at the turn of the 20th century. During the First Mexican Congress, which met the week of September 14 to 22 in 1911, Idár was elected president of the League of Mexican Women, a feminist organization ahead of its time in uniting women around the critical educational, social, and political issues facing the Mexican-American community. 

Jovita Idár was born in the border city of Laredo, Texas in 1885 at a time when Mexican-Americans faced rampant discrimination in the state. Determined to stand up for her community, she became a teacher in 1903 but later resigned to join her father’s influential activist newspaper, La Crónica (The Chronicle). Through her articles, Idár spoke out against discrimination, fought for women’s suffrage, and affirmed the importance of Mexican culture. 

In 1911, she and her family helped establish the First Mexican Congress to organize Mexican-Americans across Texas in the fight for civil rights. Building upon the female participation in the congress, Idár then founded the League of Mexican Women and served as its president.

In 1914, Idár continued her groundbreaking journalism career at El Progreso (The Progress) newspaper. Never afraid to make her voice heard, she expressed her criticism of the US army's involvement in the Mexican Revolution in an editorial, which resulted in an attempt by Texas Rangers to shut the publication down. When officers rode up to the El Progreso office, Idár stood in their way and forced them to turn back—a scene recreated in today's Doodle artwork. 

Despite Idár’s bravery, the Rangers returned the next day and shut down El Progreso, but Idár refused to be silenced. She returned to La Crónica and eventually ran the paper with her brothers, using its pages to continue her pursuit for justice. In 1917, she moved to San Antonio, Texas, where she carried her activism forward as a prominent leader in the city’s community, including opening a free kindergarten, serving as a Spanish translator at a local hospital, and teaching childcare and feminine hygiene. 

Gracias, Jovita Idár, for dedicating your life to the pursuit of equality and justice.

Early concepts of the Doodle