Irene Leon was born in San Bernardino California on April 17,1928. Her father, Francisco Murguia, and mother, Elvira Murguia, were born in Mexico but came to the United States when they were both young. Since then the Murguia family, with the exception of one brother, has always lived in San Bernardino.

	When I was a kid I remember walking to the Railto theater which was on Third and Arrowhead. and on the way I could see the restaurants and hotels that said "White Trade Only". Also in the theater there was an area that was roped which we were not allowed to sit, that was reserved for the whites. More... Play
	My brother was able to fight for this country but his sister could not swim in the pool here. More... Play
	While I was in high school I remember not used to being mixed because all through elementary, junior high, and high school we were all hispanic. More... Play

Ms. Leon attended local schools: Ramona Elementary , Alessandro Junior High and San Bernardino High School. She married, raised a family and worked as a nurse's aide at St. Bernardine's Hospital for years. She retired in 1976 to help raise her grandchildren. The past five years she has been a teacher with Project Help( Hispanics and Elders Learning Partnership), a program affiliated with California State College at San Bernardino designed to have senior citizens active in teaching English in the community.