Oral Histories

The Rosa Brothers, Noel and Rolland were born in Hanford, California.  Their grandparents were emigrants from the Azores islands and began a dairy operation that has been in the family for three generations.  They have been innovators in dairy production and retail of dairy products.  Although second generation born on the US, they are very […]

William Silveira Jr. was born in the Central Valley.  His grandparents were immigrants from the island of São Jorge in the Azores.  For several years he was a very successful attorney, he became a judge in the Tulare County Superior Court where he did groundbreaking work in the juvenile sector and was instrumental in continuing […]

Miguel Canto e Castro was born in the island of Pico, Azores and came to the US as a teenager.  He has the oldest Portuguese language radio program in the US, broadcasting continuously for over 60 years.  A dedicated member of the Portuguese-American community, Miguel has spent most of his life promoting the Portuguese-American experience […]

Maria Hortênsia Silveira, was born in the island of Pico and emigrated to the US as a teenager with her parents.  She climbed the ladder of America’s corporate world and became Vice-President for Human Resources for Foster Farms, while simultaneously she continued her cultural activities in the Portuguese-American community being at the outset of various […]

Jim Costa was born in the Central Valley and has been in public service for many decades.  His grandparents were immigrants from the islands of the Azores, arriving in the beginning of the 20th century.  Having served in the California State Assembly and State Senate, Jim Costa is now serving in the US Congress, one […]

Helder Domingos was born on the island of Pico and lived in Angola before coming to the United States.  Helder worked in agriculture, graduated from Fresno Sate and attributes his education to his success in the business world.  He has continued many cultural traditions and has been instrumental in the Jordan College of Agricultural Science […]

Devin Nunes was born in Tulare County with roots in the Azorean islands of São Jorge and Pico.  He was the youngest Portuguese-American ever elected to the US Congress.  He has been instrumental in defending Portuguese-American issues and the US presence at the Lajes Air Force Base on the island of Terceira.

Lúcia Noia was born on the island of Faial.  She left the Azores in her twenties, emigrating first to Canada and then to the US.  She was a Portuguese radio broadcaster and cultural activist in the community.  A leader in health services in the Valley, successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, Lúcia Noia has been awarded many […]