Roberto Hernández: Working for La Comunidad – Wisconsin Biographies – PBS Wisconsin Education

How do you make history?

Roberto Hernández’s story shines a spotlight on the fight for better educational opportunities for members of Milwaukee’s Latino community during the 1960s and 70s. Roberto grew up in a Mexican American family in Texas. His family was part of the migrant labor workforce that did important agricultural work throughout the country, including in Wisconsin. Some workers stayed and made homes in locations like the Milwaukee area, finding new work in places like factories. Two of Roberto’s family members came to Wisconsin for work, and Roberto later joined them and went to school in Milwaukee. A chance meeting with an activist while in college set him on the path to advocate for better educational opportunities for fellow Latino students and a lifelong commitment to helping others.

Meet Roberto Hernández

View Transcript: English Spanish

View Transcript: English Spanish

Questions to Consider

What communities was Roberto a member of? How did he participate in those communities? What communities are you part of? How are you active in your community?

What were the Latino activists in Milwaukee fighting for and why? What was the result of their efforts? Have you taken a stand for something that was important to you and your community?

What qualities or skills helped Roberto in his activism? How? What skills have you used to achieve your goals and help others?

Peek Into the Past

The front page of the newspaper The UWM Post from October 20, 1970. The main headline reads "Latins stage sit-in; Agreement reached."

Making headlines

The UW-Milwaukee newspaper reporting on the victory of Latino activists.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of a large crowd gathered outside a brick building. There are some police officers and cars in the foreground.

Protestors arrested

Police arrest five protestors for occupying the Chancellor’s office.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of a large group of people in a nice office. The people are seated in chairs and on the floor and standing around. A man toward the center of the photo is talking to the group.

Chancellor’s office

Protestors staged a peaceful sit-in at the Chancellor’s office in an effort to get the university to listen to their needs.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of a group of students standing at a library service counter. The woman working for the library has her back to the viewer. In the center is a young man talking to her.

Protestors in the library

Latino activists tried to use university services like the library in Spanish as part of their protests.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of several people raising their right hands in a fist of solidarty. The photo is taken from above slightly looking down on the group.

Victory!

Roberto Hernández (far left) and Jesus Salas (center) celebrate their victory

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of Roberto Hernández in his high school graduation cap and gown. Roberto is looking off to the right.

Graduation

Roberto’s graduation photo from high school.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of Roberto Hernández and his wife on their wedding day. Roberto is wearing a white jacket and black bowtie and his wife is wearing a wedding dress with a veil. They are both kneeling at a wooden pew. People are seated in the pews behind them in the church.

Wedding Day

Roberto married Mary Gorichar in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1964.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of Roberto Hernández as a child. It is a portrait photo and Roberto is wearing a button-down shirt and looking at the camera.

Young Roberto

A photo of Roberto Hernández as a child.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of Roberto Hernández wearing his army uniform. He is seated.

Roberto in the US Army

Roberto spent several years in the US Armed Forces after high school.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of Roberto Hernández as a high school student. The photo is a portrait. Roberto is wearing a button-down shirt.

Roberto in high school

A photo of Roberto as a high school student in Milwaukee.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of Roberto Hernández as a high school football player. He is standing in his football uniform with his legs spaced out wide and his right hand touching the ground.

Football star

Roberto was a star football player for all four years of high school.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

An image of a document that lists the demands made by the Council for the Education of Latin Americans to UW–Milwaukee in 1970.

List of demands

Latino activists issued a list of 11 actions UW-Milwaukee could take to better work with the city’s Latino students.

From the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

A black and white photo of a group of men and women during a cherry harvest. Some are standing on the ground and others are on ladders around a cherry tree.

Cherry Harvest

Several members of the Rios family harvesting cherries in Door County. Migrant workers were essential to this harvest.

Wisconsin Historical Society.

Read On

Illustration of Roberto Roberto Hernández with his portrait photo superimposed over the shape of the State of Wisconsin, all with a pink monochromatic cast, and his name displayed in front on a ribbon

Roberto Hernández: Working for La Comunidad

Get the full story with this biography book. Audio files are available on each page if you’d like to listen along!

Project Credits

Producer
David Boffa

Animation Director
Ellie Nikoo

Animator
Ian Glodich

2D Character Rigger
Amanda Roslansky

Character & Background Designer
Quinn Blackshere

Animation Title Designer
John Nichols

Animation Voice Over
Sergio González

Spanish Animation Voice Over
Saurin Galue

Animation Sound Design
Kerman Eckes

Animation Producer
Philip Ashby

Audiobook Narration
Sergio González

Audiobook Post-production
Kerman Eckes
David Boffa

Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Vicki Way Kipp

Translation Services
University of Wisconsin–Madison Cultural Linguistic Services
Rev

Educator Support Materials
Mia Forslund
David Boffa

Web Design
Charles Barrows

Web Development
John Vieth
Tim Schneider

Graphic and Motion Design
Katie Campshure
Ian Glodich

Executive Producer
Ryan Hendricks

Director of Education
Megan Monday

Director of Television
Jon Miskowski

Special Thanks
The Hernández Family
Vanessa Hernández Chenault
Mary Hernández
Tony Baez
Ernesto Chacón
Ricardo Fernandez
Sergio González
Diego X. Román
Jesus Salas
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Libraries and Archives
UWM Roberto Hernández Center

Educator Cohort

Pamela Dempsey
Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison, WI

Mary Pat Erdmann
Woodside Elementary, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Shannon Erickson
Marquette Elementary, Madison, WI

Colin Hanson
Edgar Elementary School, Edgar, WI

Nathan Holtz
Edgar Elementary School, Edgar, WI

Lisa Husnick
Lodi Elementary School, Lodi, WI

Bree Lawrence
Holmen School District, Holmen, WI

Kerri Lintl
Merrimac Community School, Merrimac, WI

Kris Lockhart
Fox Point-Bayside School District, Cedarburg, WI

Darcy Maxwell
Summit Environmental School, La Crosse, WI

Jessica Pehl
Black River Falls Middle School, Black River Falls, WI

Tanya Schmidt
Oshkosh Area School District, Oshkosh, WI

Mike Scoville
Gibraltar School District, Fish Creek, WI

Funding provided by

Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout

Focus Fund for Education

Friends of PBS Wisconsin