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Birth
Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales was born in Denver Colorado
Last of Federico and Indalesia González' eight children -
Mothers Death
At the age of 2, Corkys mom passed away, leaving his dad to take care of the 8 children. -
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Work
He worked alongside his family in beet farms to help raise money as they were right in the Great Depression. -
Graduation
At 16, Corky graduated from Denver's Manual High. The next year he went to College but had to drop out due to financial reasons. He still continued his pursuit of gaining knowledge about his Mexican Heritage. -
Political Life
He began his career in Democratic Politics in 1947 in competition to Quigg Newton for Denver Mayor. He mainly focused on the Chicano rights. -
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Boxing Career
Corky competed in 73 boxing matches. Resulting in a record of 61-11-1. His only title he won was National Amateur Athletic Union Bantamweight Championship, but he was a good fighter and was inducted in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. Becoming the first Latino to be honored. -
Marriage
He married his wife, Geri. -
Family
Corky, Geri, and their 3 children -
Political Success
In 1965 he was appointed Deputy Director of Denver's War on Poverty. -
Foundation
He and other activists created the "Crusade for Justice" foundation. -
Seperation
Corky resigned from the Democratic Party. He resigned due to the political wrangling. With this time he had he began to focus on his Foundation, and he was an outspoken leader for the Chicano activism. -
National Chicano Youth Liberation conferences
Corky and others created this because he found the younger generation of Mexican Americans, more receptive to his major themes of Chicano nationalism, self-determination, and cultural and historical pride. -
Creation of a Third Party
Gonzales formed the Colorado La Raza Unida Party, dedicated to the goals of the Chicano movement. -
Downfall of His Outspokenness
Police, hearing that this party was armed, raided the headquarters and Luis Martinez was killed. During all of this, a bomb went off destroying one of the buildings part of his Foundation. This majorly impacted the foundation, causing Corky to retreat into private life. -
Death
Corky was diagnosed with renal and coronary distress with acute liver disease, he responded which astounded doctors saying that he would die with his people, refusing treatment.
