Lydia R. Otero

Lydia Otero is a historian, author, and activist whose work examines the intersections of Mexican American history, queer activism, and urban renewal in the Southwest. Otero’s latest book is "Storied Property: María Cordova’s Casa." They are also the author of "La Calle: Spatial Conflicts and Urban Renewal in a Southwest City," "In the Shadows of the Freeway: Growing Up Brown and Queer," and "L.A. Interchanges: A Brown & Queer Archival Memoir."

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Awards: 2024 International Latino Book Award Silver Medal in “The Dolores Huerta Best Cultural & Community Themed Book - English” category. In 2019, Arizona’s César E. Chávez Holiday Coalition awarded Lydia the Dolores Huerta Legacy Award for their activism and scholarship focusing on bringing awareness to Mexican American and local history.

Communities: Tucsonan

Viva Tucson: Tucsonense History in Focus

¡Viva Tucson! In this conversation with local legends and multigenerational Tucsonans Lydia Otero and Melani Martinez, we will learn about the history of two iconic Tucson locations: La Casa Cordova, a home built in the 1840s, and El Molino: one of Tucson’s first tamal and tortilla factories.

Nuestras Raíces Stage (Seats 150)  
Sun, Mar 15, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Nuestras Raices
Signing area: Pima County Public Library/Nuestras Raíces/Craft Tent & Signing Area (following presentation)  

Panelists: Melani Martinez, Lydia Otero
Moderator: Alisha Vasquez
Sponsor: Session made possible courtesy of Pima County Public Library

Books:

Storied Property

María Cordova's Casa
Nuestras Raices
Planet Earth Press
October 2025
ISBN 9781734118049
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