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Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-457-BC

Scope and Content

The collection contains audiotaped interviews, news clippings, articles, pamphlets, news letters, correspondence, and a scrapbook documenting the life and social career of Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven. An important component of the collection is Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven's scrapbook (photocopy) which reflects her years in the State legislature and her connections with most of the important New Mexican politicians and educators of the time.

Dates

  • 1891-2006

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biography

Concha Ortiz y Pino was born on 23 May 1910 at the family hacienda de ganado in Galisteo, New Mexico. Childhood was a formative period for Concha under the guardianship of her grand-mother, who served as village doctor, nurse, counselor, and social worker all in one. Thus, she was very early on exposed to social, economic and political problems of disadvantaged people - mainly of Hispanic origin - in poverty-striken New Mexico. Her formal education began at Loretto Academy and was continued at the University of New Mexico and for some time at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

In the thirties, during the depression, she began to revive New Mexican folklore, arts and crafts, to renew the interest in it as well as to give some artisans the possibility to earn some money. In 1937, Concha was elected to the State Legislature where she stayed on until 1942. She was appointed to various house committees and in 1940 was the first woman to become the "Majority Whip" in a State Legislature. During her tenure in office, she was interested in bilingual education for children (which cost her bitter fights with the League of United Latin American Citizens [LULAC]) and in better relations to New Mexico's neighbors to the south.

Marriage to Victor Kleven in 1943 and defeat in her third attempt to become reelected did not slow down her social, political, and economic activities. Besides being involved in numerous social affairs and having served in many social and political associations, committees, and commissions, she ran the family ranch for several years in Aqua Verde, until 1956 when her husband died and she returned to Albuquerque.

Back in Albuquerque, she became heavily involved in community work, serving on many state and national boards, committees, councils, and/or commissions. She received many honors for her engagements in political and social affairs. Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven died in Santa Fe on September 30, 2006 at the age of 96.

Extent

2 boxes (1.35 cu. ft.), plus 1 oversize folder

Abstract

This collection contains audiotaped interviews, news clippings, articles, pamphlets, brochures, news letters, correspondence, and a scrapbook documenting the life and social career of Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven.

Arrangement

4 series:
  1. Biographical and Family Information
  2. Involvements/Interests
  3. Newspaper Clippings
  4. Correspondence

Related Material

Ortiz y Pino Family Papers. Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Women in New Mexico Collection. Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Separated Material

Photographs have been transferred to Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven photograph collection.

Processing Information

Collection was reprocessed and additional material added, November 2006. In November 2007, 3 items pertaining to Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven's death were added to the collection.
Title
Finding aid of the Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven Papers, 1891-2006
Status
Approved
Author
Processed by CSWR Staff
Date
©2000
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 457 BC::Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss457bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451