Corky Gonzales: Always Fighting

Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales was born on June 18, 1928, in Denver, Colorado, the youngest of eight children. As described by his uncle “He was always popping off like a cork. So we called him Corky.”

Art Gonzales describes how his brother, Corky Gonzales, embraced his leadership abilities from an early age.

Rudy and Charlotte, two children of Corky Gonzales, and Art, his brother, discuss the career of Corky Gonzales as a prize winning fighter and Denver's hometown hero.

In 1949, Gonzales married Geraldine "Geri" Romero and together they would go on to have eight children: six daughters and two sons. He was devoted to his family, and his children would later help carry on his legacy.

Valerie, Charlotte, and Rudy, children of Corky Gonzales, discuss his number one priority, his family, and growing up under the judgemental eyes of the media. Geri, wife of Corky Gonzales, remembers her husband.

After retiring from professional boxing in 1955, Gonzales focused on his business pursuits. He opened Denver’s first sports bar, Corky’s Corner, which he then later sold to open Corky's Bail Bonds.

During this period, Gonzales also became increasingly interested in political causes. His campaign efforts as the Colorado coordinator of the Viva Kennedy Campaign contributed to the election of John F. Kennedy as President in 1960.

Frustrated with the racism and discrimination faced by Mexican Americans, Gonzales founded the Crusade for Justice in 1966—drawing from his experience as the director of the local Neighborhood Youth Corps and Colorado state chairman for the War on Poverty program. This civil rights organization sought to promote ethnic awareness and emotional pride, as well as providing community service programs.

Throughout his life, Gonzales was a writer and poet. His widely popular epic poem, Yo Soy Joaquin (I Am Joaquin), was published in 1967. The poem explored Chicano identity and was a turning point in the Chicano Movement. It was quoted in protest literature, published as a play, and reprinted in several editions.

Rudy and Nita, two children of Corky Gonzales, talk about his writing and read from his epic poem, I Am Joaquin.

In 1968, Gonzales led a Chicano contingent in the Poor People's Campaign in Washington, D.C. During his time there, he issued his "Plan of the Barrio" which called for better housing, education, barrio-owned businesses, and restitution of pueblo lands.

Nita, daughter of Corky Gonzales, discusses the Poor People's Campaign and the openness with which Corky Gonzales approached all people.

To unify Chicano youth across the Southwest, Gonzales helped organize the Chicano Youth Conference of 1969. Drafted at the conference was El Plan Espiritual de Aztlán, a document that articulated Chicano political, social, and economic issues and demands. In 1970, he founded Escuela Tlatelolco, a school for Chicano children with an emphasis on cultural identity and social responsibility.

Charlotte, Valerie, Rudy and Nita, the children of Corky Gonzales, Art, his brother, and Geri, his wife, talk about the legacy of Corky Gonzales.

Gonzales worked alongside activists from a broad range of communities to tackle issues such as police brutality, and to support the anti-Vietnam War movement.

Collaborations between Gonzales and other Chicano leaders such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, unified Chicanos across the country and strengthened the Chicano Movement.

Millions have been inspired by Gonzales' call for change, both in his hometown of Denver and beyond. His children, Executive Director Rudy and Consultant Nita Gonzales, continue his commitment to community-based work and advocacy through Servicios de La Raza, a Denver organization dedicated to serving the needs of all its community members.

Nita Gonzales, the daughter of Corky Gonzales, reads an excerpt from her father's epic poem, I Am Joaquin.