“The Rise of an All-Women Lowrider Club in Silicon Valley”
Growing up in Sunnyvale has always been a source of pride for me. My family’s roots run deep in this community, starting with my grandparents, who immigrated from Mexico. They initially settled in Texas during the late 1950s and early ’60s, where my mom was born in 1963. Later that year, my grandfather moved to Sunnyvale to work at a cannery and soon sent for my grandmother, my mom, and my aunt Juanita. After I was born, I grew up in this tight-knit family environment.
My passion for lowriders started with my mom, who spent a lot of time with her cousin Gustavo, the founder of the Midnite Classics car club, who drove a 1964 Impala. It was more than just a hobby; it was a family tradition. When my mom celebrated her quinceañera, my grandparents gifted her a brand-new 1977 Monte Carlo with a custom paint job, swivel bucket seats, and a sunroof. She quickly transformed it into a lowrider with Truespoke rims and hydraulics.
Shortly after, my mom became a single mother, raising me, my brother, and my sister, all born a year apart. Money was tight, but we found joy in cruising around in that Monte Carlo. The car became a symbol of our family bond, and we spent countless hours together driving around, even venturing to lowrider events in San Jose, which I believe is the true heart of lowriding culture. That’s where my love for cars began.
My first car was a 1965 Impala, which I discovered as a teenager while playing hooky in downtown Sunnyvale. The car was far from perfect, but I saw potential in it. My sister test-drove it since I was too nervous, and she encouraged me to buy it. I’ve had that Impala for 21 years, and it’s been my pride and joy ever since. Unlike my sister, who’s had several lowriders, I’ve stayed loyal to that one car. It even became a symbol of our family, as my mom absolutely adored it.
Growing up, we didn’t see many women in the lowrider scene. People often assumed that a lowrider belonged to a man, but my mom challenged those stereotypes. She not only drove her car but also worked on it herself, donning a jumpsuit and handling repairs when needed. She taught us everything about the lifestyle, not through a male role model but through her own dedication and passion. My mom passed away in 2019, and since then, lowriding has become even more important to me as a way to honor her memory.
In keeping with her spirit, I decided to customize my ’65 Impala in her favorite color, purple, to ensure everyone knew it was a woman’s car. I joined my first car club, Aztec Creations, where I learned the ropes but eventually became a solo rider again. However, I missed the sense of community and joined another club, Str8 Riders, where I became the first female member. I had a vision of making the club more community-focused, giving back through fundraisers and events, just as my mom had always taught us.
My dream had always been to form an all-female car club, and eventually, I made that a reality. Along with my sister, niece, and a few close friends, we started Dueñas, meaning “owners” in Spanish. We wanted people to know we were proud female owners of these cars, not just passengers. My mom was thrilled when I told her about it, always cheering us on as we prepared for events.
At first, we didn’t attract much attention, but over time, people recognized and supported us. We showed that women could be just as involved and passionate about lowriding as men. Unfortunately, my ’65 Impala was later involved in an accident, so I decided to buy a ’63 Impala convertible in honor of my mom’s birth year. She wasn’t initially a fan of the idea, but before we could finish our conversation, she fell ill and passed away. It was one of the hardest moments of my life.
Despite the challenges, I continued lowriding, and in our first year as a car club, we organized a toy drive in collaboration with the San Jose Earthquakes, donating to local shelters and camps for union workers and farmers. It was an incredible experience, blending our love for lowriding with a sense of giving back to the community, just as my mom had always encouraged.
The lowrider community has always been about family, and it’s amazing to see how supportive everyone has been, especially the women. Lowriding is more than just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle that we share with our families. It’s been inspiring to witness more women take on active roles in this culture, proving that we’re not just here to ride along but to drive and create our own legacy.
Sunnyvale has changed over the years, with the tech industry reshaping the community. Many people have been priced out, and the lowrider culture has shifted toward San Jose, where more women are now involved. Technology has also played a role in expanding the reach of lowriding, making it easier to connect and share our passion online. I’ve learned so much from platforms like YouTube and attended events sponsored by tech companies, but it’s also made it harder to live the life we once had in Sunnyvale.
I now live in Modesto, but I frequently visit Sunnyvale, even though my family home was sold and is now rented out as an Airbnb. It’s disheartening to see how much things have changed, but I carry the values my mom instilled in me. My car club, Dueñas, is still going strong with nine members spread across different cities. We’ve even started a lowrider bike club for our daughters, allowing them to share in this tradition and be proud of what they’ve built.
My journey has taught me the importance of family, hard work, and giving back to the community, just as my mom always did. Lowriding isn’t just about cars; it’s about the memories, the connections, and the love we share with those around us.
