National Nurses United

The exhibit lays out the highlights of the Filipinx experience in California, starting from their first landing at Morro Bay in 1587, through the labor and civil rights movements of the 1960s, to cur- rent leadership in local and statewide office. Activists, community and labor organizers, entertainers, scien- tists, writers, thinkers, and many more are represented in displays that include stunning portraits and vivid paintings. The title of the exhibit was inspired by Filipinx immigrant activist Carlos Bulosan's semi-autobiographical novel, "America is in the Heart," which grap- ples with both the promise of the U.S. dream and the scourge of racism and xenophobia. These are themes that are very familiar to the Filipinx nurses, both American born and those who came to the United States to escape political persecution, poverty, or find more opportunity. These experiences are what seeded their inspiration to organize with CNA. It is the story of our union nurses that makes up the heart of the exhibit, both literally and figuratively, a multi-part display highlight- ing the work of Filipinx nurses and the California Nurses Association. The display brought a rush of pride, honor, and a sense of dignity to 18 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G J A N U A R Y | F E B R U A R Y | M A R C H 2 0 2 3 "Ang mabigat ay gumagaan, kung pinagtutulungan." Anything that is heavy can be light if we put our resources together. —Filipinx proverb A t the core of Filipinx culture lies the Bayanihan spirit, the abiding belief that cooperation and unity are fundamental to achieving what may appear on the surface to be impossible goals. The Bayanihan spirit is the spirit of collective power, a mirror reflection of union power. It is this spirit that makes Filipinx RNs natural leaders in the labor movement and the California Nurses Association (CNA), National Nurses United's (NNU) largest affiliate. "Filipinx nurses have been key to the growth and success of this union," said Bonnie Castillo, RN, and executive director of NNU as well as CNA and National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC). "I am so proud to have worked and more than that, fought alongside so many mighty Filipinx nurses." While the Filipinx population is one of the largest Asian American groups in California, the history of Filipinx people is often overlooked. But a new exhibit at the California Museum, located in Sacramento, Calif., seeks to remedy that deficit by shining a light on the contributions of the Filipinx community. The "California is in the Heart" exhibit is a comprehensive look at the history of the Filipinx American experience. The exhibit grew out of a partnership between the California Nurses Association and the UC Davis Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies. "People of color, including Filipino people, do not very often see themselves in museums and other major cultural institutions," said Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, the founder and current director of the Bulosan Center. "Working people in general are often sidelined while the so-called great men of history, corporate heads, politicians, and the like [are celebrated]. For this exhibition, it was vital to cele- brate the true heroes of our community." Nursing is in the heart History and legacy of Filipnx nurses featured in California Museum exhibit. B Y R AC H E L B E R G E R RNs Rida Villanueva (left) and Gina Macalino pointing to themselves in 2010 photo, with Denice Cuaresma pointing to her mother, Debbie. PHOTOS: BRIAN BAER

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