Isabel Campos
(33 pages)
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Biography:
María Isabel Contreras de Campos was born in 1955 in Guadalajara, Mexico. She came to the United States as an exchange student at New Braunfels High School in 1971. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Texas and married Carlos Campos, now a physician in New Braunfels. Both she and her husband worked with the Comal Independent Men's Association and were recipients of the Silver Unicorn Award from the New Braunfels Independent School District.
Interview Summary:
María Isabel Contreras de Campos talks about her family background and contrasts her life in Guadalajara, Mexico to her life in the United States. She discusses the discrimination she and her family encountered in New Braunfels and assails the discrminatory practices of area realtors and the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. She cites several examples of discrimination, referring to her husband Carlos Campos' own experience at New Braunfels High School and an incident involving Joe Parra. Ms. Campos details the issues and the years of work it took to address the problems in New Braunfels schools and explains the reasons behind her husband's decision, along with that of Steve Weaver, to run for election to the board of trustees for the New Braunfels Independent School District. She describes the community upheaval that followed their election. She also mentions accusations of family involvement in the Mexican Mafia and notes the activities of Neo-Nazism and the Ku Klux Klan in the community.
Locations of residence or activity:
New Braunfels
Interview Date:
1/16/1998