The Patriarch

Abstract

As a grown woman, Rose Tijerina accused her father, Reies López Tijerina, the founder of the Alianza Federal de Mercedes, a land-rights organization in New Mexico, of sexual molestation when she was a teen-ager. Her father vigorously denied the accusation. Nevertheless, oral histories with family members as well as archival documents show that Tijerina did demonstrate a patriarchal and controlling nature that demanded compliance. Disobedience courted physical abuse. Because she believed in the land-grant cause, Mary Escobar, his first wife, continued to operate as the Alianza’s secretary for several months even after the pair divorced. Then Rose, also eager to contribute to justice, took over that position. Unfortunately for all, Reies López Tijerina operated the Alianza akin to how he ran his family, with power concentrated in his hands and no tolerance for criticism.