Before LULAC, there was Order Sons of America in San Antonio

Webinar at 7 p.m. Wednesday will delve into its history

SAN ANTONIO – No longer there in the 1500 block of South Flores was a barber shop where 100 years ago Tuesday, the Order Sons of America began in San Antonio.

The Mexican American Civil Rights Institute, a national organization based in San Antonio, will delve into its history during a webinar at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Cynthia Orozco, Ph.D, professor of history and humanities at Eastern New Mexico University, will discuss how Order Sons of America led to the creation of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization.

Orozco said LULAC was formed in 1929, after OSA was in 1921, by World War I veterans, small business owners and others, in response to the rampant racial violence, segregation, poor housing, and injustice experienced by Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants.

Before LULAC, Orozco said, “The very first major and important precursor organization was the Order Sons of America.”

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About the Authors

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.

William Caldera has been at KSAT since 2003. He covers a wide range of stories including breaking news, weather, general assignments and sports.

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