She was born in Anaheim, California, and started working on the farm at age 5. In 1932 she worked for the San Juan Capistrano to translate during a farm worker strike. She joined the National Farm Workers Association (later known as the United Farm workers) and was the first female recruiter and became one of the best. She participated in strikes and helped to ban the short-handed hoe, which led to back injuries of the farm workers. She also helped teach farm workers English. 