The amazing Elizabeth (or Betita) Martinez has been a longstanding fixture in Chicana studies and activism. The following videos show her back in 2008 on a TV show called Freedom is a Constant Struggle (Um, awesome? Why aren’t there more shows like this?).

There are three clips to watch, but all of them are equally good, and really lend a very good introduction to Chicana feminism, for those who aren’t well versed.

via Mostly Water

Kiilu’s guest is Elizabeth Betita Martinez, legendary Chicana activist, historian, lecturer, and author of six books. She is currently the Director of the Institute for MultiRacial Justice in San Francisco. Betita is also one of the select international women nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

Her latest book, 500 Years of Chicana Women’s History was just published (2008) in a bilingual, paperback edition w/more than 800 photos and illustrations. She also wrote the acclaimed bilingual volume 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures, which became the basis for a video she co-directed. Her other books include De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century (South End Press), Letters from Mississippi (re-issued in 2002), and The Youngest Revolution: A Personal Report on Cuba.