Petra Allende Papers

Petra Allende was an important community activist and an East Harlem resident for over 35 years. Often referred to as “La Alcaldesa del Barrio,” (the Mayor of El Barrio) she was a well known advocate for senior citizens rights.

One of five children, Allende was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on June 29, 1920 to Justo Allende and Alejandrina Rosario. Despite her family’s poverty, Allende was able to complete an eighth grade education, an important accomplishment for a female at that time. Although she would have liked to continue her studies, it was not economically feasible. She married young at the age of sixteen. Years later she encountered difficulties in her marriage and sought help and advice from her older brother who had migrated to New York.

Petra Allende was an important community activist and an East Harlem resident for over 35 years. Often referred to as “La Alcaldesa del Barrio,” (the Mayor of El Barrio) she was a well known advocate for senior citizens rights.

One of five children, Allende was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on June 29, 1920 to Justo Allende and Alejandrina Rosario. Despite her family’s poverty, Allende was able to complete an eighth grade education, an important accomplishment for a female at that time. Although she would have liked to continue her studies, it was not economically feasible. She married young at the age of sixteen. Years later she encountered difficulties in her marriage and sought help and advice from her older brother who had migrated to New York.

In 1949, Allende left Puerto Rico and joined her brother in New York. Like many Puerto Ricans before her, she came to live in El Barrio in search of a better life for herself and her children. Upon arrival, she immediately began looking for a job and succeeded in finding work at a clothing factory. Some time later she took a job in a printing shop where she worked for sixteen years.

In 1966 she accepted a job with the city as a Senior Human Resources Specialist at the Manpower Career Development Agency.

Petra Allende’s own life experience of confronting the day to day hardships of the working poor as a single mother transformed her into an advocate for change. She became an ardent community activist, organizing English classes, opposing literacy tests which were required in order to vote and fighting for the rights of the elderly. Allende got her start as an activist through the Puerto Rican Leadership Alliance and the Puerto Rican Community Development Project. In 1960 she joined the efforts of Jose R. Erazo, the District Leader of her area to combat the literacy exams that excluded many citizens from the electoral process. Allende’s involvement in community affairs became a life-long passion.

In the 1970s she learned to lobby Albany and Washington legislators with a group of African-American women, the Manhattan Political Caucus. Working with other women of color led her to understand the importance of “cooperation across communities.” Lobbying for senior citizens rights became one of her main activities beginning in the 1980s and until her death in 2002. As Legislative Coordinator of the Hispanic Senior Action Council, an affiliate of the Institute for the Puerto Rican/ Hispanic Elderly, she lobbied Congress against Medicare and Medicaid cuts and for other issues affecting the wellbeing of the elderly. In addition to working as a lobbyist, she volunteered with various organizations such as the Gaylord Senior Citizens Center participating in the health education of seniors and creating cultural programs.

It is evident from the collection that Petra Allende focused on issues affecting seniors, especially healthcare. For example, she was a firm advocate of universal health care. “The condition and status of the Puerto Rican/ Hispanic senior in New York City,” were at the heart of her activism. In her talks she used her own life of struggle to reflect on the situation of poor seniors and to advocate for changes in policies adversely affecting them.

Allende was often invited to be on the Board of Directors of organizations. She accepted membership in those where she felt she could be most effective. Among these were Iris House (1992-1994), Bonifacio Cora Texidor Housing Development Fund Corporation (1999-2002) and the East Harlem Community Development Plan (1977-1981). She also became an active member of various grassroots organizations such as El Barrio Low and Moderate Income Rehabilitation Fund, Inc. Allende played a vital role as President and Chair of this organization promoting and supporting the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of low income housing in East Harlem.

Along side her involvement with these and other civic organizations, Allende was deeply committed to the Chamber of Ruth #9 (Hijas de Borinquen), a lodge of the Gran Orden Fraternal de Odfelos Latinos, a branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. This was a “sisterhood” of women which provided both a cultural and social outlet for her.

Petra Allende was nicknamed “La Alcaldesa del Barrio” for her visibility in the East Harlem community and her lifelong dedication to improving the lives of others. She was recognized numerous times for her community service, leadership and commitment. Among the awards she received were the New York City Council’s, “Woman of Achievement Pacesetter Award (2001),” New York State Certificate of Merit (1998) and the National Silver Haired Congress, Certificate of Appreciation (1998).

Petra Allende was a formidable organizer and activist. She died on April 1, 2002 at the age of 81. This collection provides insight into the life of one of East Harlem’s most dynamic leaders and documents the history of diverse East Harlem and Puerto Rican organizations.In 1949, Allende left Puerto Rico and joined her brother in New York. Like many Puerto Ricans before her, she came to live in El Barrio in search of a better life for herself and her children. Upon arrival, she immediately began looking for a job and succeeded in finding work at a clothing factory. Some time later she took a job in a printing shop where she worked for sixteen years.

In 1966 she accepted a job with the city as a Senior Human Resources Specialist at the Manpower Career Development Agency.

Petra Allende’s own life experience of confronting the day to day hardships of the working poor as a single mother transformed her into an advocate for change. She became an ardent community activist, organizing English classes, opposing literacy tests which were required in order to vote and fighting for the rights of the elderly. Allende got her start as an activist through the Puerto Rican Leadership Alliance and the Puerto Rican Community Development Project. In 1960 she joined the efforts of Jose R. Erazo, the District Leader of her area to combat the literacy exams that excluded many citizens from the electoral process. Allende’s involvement in community affairs became a life-long passion.

In the 1970s she learned to lobby Albany and Washington legislators with a group of African-American women, the Manhattan Political Caucus. Working with other women of color led her to understand the importance of “cooperation across communities.” Lobbying for senior citizens rights became one of her main activities beginning in the 1980s and until her death in 2002. As Legislative Coordinator of the Hispanic Senior Action Council, an affiliate of the Institute for the Puerto Rican/ Hispanic Elderly, she lobbied Congress against Medicare and Medicaid cuts and for other issues affecting the wellbeing of the elderly. In addition to working as a lobbyist, she volunteered with various organizations such as the Gaylord Senior Citizens Center participating in the health education of seniors and creating cultural programs.

It is evident from the collection that Petra Allende focused on issues affecting seniors, especially healthcare. For example, she was a firm advocate of universal health care. “The condition and status of the Puerto Rican/ Hispanic senior in New York City,” were at the heart of her activism. In her talks she used her own life of struggle to reflect on the situation of poor seniors and to advocate for changes in policies adversely affecting them.

Allende was often invited to be on the Board of Directors of organizations. She accepted membership in those where she felt she could be most effective. Among these were Iris House (1992-1994), Bonifacio Cora Texidor Housing Development Fund Corporation (1999-2002) and the East Harlem Community Development Plan (1977-1981). She also became an active member of various grassroots organizations such as El Barrio Low and Moderate Income Rehabilitation Fund, Inc. Allende played a vital role as President and Chair of this organization promoting and supporting the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of low income housing in East Harlem.

Along side her involvement with these and other civic organizations, Allende was deeply committed to the Chamber of Ruth #9 (Hijas de Borinquen), a lodge of the Gran Orden Fraternal de Odfelos Latinos, a branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. This was a “sisterhood” of women which provided both a cultural and social outlet for her.

Petra Allende was nicknamed “La Alcaldesa del Barrio” for her visibility in the East Harlem community and her lifelong dedication to improving the lives of others. She was recognized numerous times for her community service, leadership and commitment. Among the awards she received were the New York City Council’s, “Woman of Achievement Pacesetter Award (2001),” New York State Certificate of Merit (1998) and the National Silver Haired Congress, Certificate of Appreciation (1998).

Petra Allende was a formidable organizer and activist. She died on April 1, 2002 at the age of 81. This collection provides insight into the life of one of East Harlem’s most dynamic leaders and documents the history of diverse East Harlem and Puerto Rican organizations.