Interview with Yessica Gonzalez Rodriguez

Authors

Yessica Gonzalez Rodriguez

Files

Biography

Born in Nayarit, Mexico, Yessica Gonzalez is a queer, immigrant organizer who serves as a consultant for the TransLatin@ Coalition and a sewer for the Auntie Sewing Squad. Growing up in a low-income household, sewing served as a creative outlet for Yessica to self-determine their gender expression and navigate their teenage years. This skill would ultimately serve Yessica well in the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, during which Yessica now sews masks for underprivileged communities as part of the Auntie Sewing Squad.

Thematic Summary

(00:00:00) After introductions, Yessica Gonzalez describes the objectives and projects of the Auntie Sewing Squad as well as their role within the organization. (00:02:00) They then go on to describe how they became involved and what experiences they had with sewing prior to the pandemic. (00:08:16) Gonzalez describes the intergenerational value of sewing in their life and how sewing as a creative outlet helped them navigate their teenage years. (00:11:36) Building off of this idea, Gonzalez explores how sewing has allowed them to better self-determine their own gender expression and tailor clothing to their own needs. (00:19:06) Gonzalez then shifts to discussing their organizing efforts, both before and during the pandemic. (00:25:24) Finally, Gonzalez concludes the interview by addressing additional questions and providing contact information for those at home.

Interview Date

12-10-2020

Interviewer

Charles Scrivner; Peyton Huck

Recommended Citation

Gonzalez Rodriguez, Yessica, "Interview with Yessica Gonzalez Rodriguez" (2020). Auntie Sewing Squad Interviews. 6.
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/auntiesewing_interviews/6