Hollister
– While most of us probably take a safe, fair working
environment for granted, local woman Rebecca Alonso raged against
the machine and fought for those conditions three decades ago when
she was 19.
Hollister – While most of us probably take a safe, fair working environment for granted, local woman Rebecca Alonso raged against the machine and fought for those conditions three decades ago when she was 19.
“It was a challenge,” she said. “But I think what I did made things better for a lot of women in the workplace.”
Alonso, 49, was born on an Indiana farm – the sixth of seven sisters who today range in age from 45 to their early 60s. She fondly recalls growing up in her large family and believes she is a better person for it.
“We all got along and we worked hard – when I was a kid we had to do chores like chop wood, and we grew most of our own food,” she said. “I think I am a more independent and able woman because of my family. I can do just about anything.”
After a while, her family moved to San Jose so her father could pursue his career with General Electric. Alonso attended Willow Glen High School, where she sang in the choir and even served as the school mascot, a Bruin, on a number of occasions.
“I had to put on this giant head and overalls; I don’t know why I did it,” she said.
After high school, Alonso went to work for a company called FMC. At 19, she was one of the first five women the company ever hired – and the youngest, to boot.
“For a while there I was building tanks and writing code, and I really liked the work,” she said. “I thought I was on top of the world and I was going to show everybody that sexism didn’t exist. I got a rude awakening.”
She said many of her male colleagues treated her poorly, and when she refused the sexual advances of her boss, life at work quickly became “miserable.” Alonso eventually decided to quit and sue the company. She won, which she says completely altered the company’s practices.
“It’s a totally different place,” she said. “Women are equal employees and everyone is treated fairly.”
Shortly after the lawsuit was settled, Alonso moved to Hollister to “hide out,” from any negative attention that might have resulted from her action. She and her then-husband bought some property, set up a small cattle operation and opened up a daycare so she could spend as much time as possible with her two children, Patricia and Douglas.
“It was a fun time, with all the little kids running around,” she said. “There was a lot of love.”
After separating from her husband, Alonso moved back into town, returned to school and became a medical assistant.
“It just seemed natural to go into healthcare,” she said. “There’s never been a time that I wasn’t taking care of somebody.”
Currently Alonso is between jobs, is focusing on taking care of herself and is spending time on her No. 1 passion, gardening. She plans on returning to the medical field soon, but in the meantime is proud of her accomplishments both in the workplace and with her family.
“I’m extremely proud of my kids,” she said. “My daughter is in the Navy and is a wonderful woman, and is the kind of person I aspire to be one day.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
ds****@fr***********.com
