Ben MillerPolitical Science 212Section 2On the Struggle for Mexican-American Equality After the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) approximately 77,000 Mexicans became citizens of the United States. Since then, many of these citizens and then immigrants have been treated as unequal people or worse. In the early part of the 20th century, Mexican Americans faced injustices such as segregation, inequalities in jobs, housing, education, and even frequent hangings. They were also not allowed to vote because many of them had difficulty understanding English and were not allowed to learn the language. Mexicans were not allowed to vote and when they finally were able to, they had to pay to have the right to vote. A large number of Mexicans did not have the money to pay for this right, so their white leaders paid the fee and told them to vote for a candidate who favored the leader. Many Mexican Americans worked on ranches, farms, or in mines. and their children often did not go to school. As a result, “many were denied work because they were perceived as lazy, poorly dressed, dirty, poorly educated and thieves.” (LULAC) During this time Mexican schools were segregated from white schools and the facilities and staffing of Mexican schools were below average. Segregation also occurred in the use of fountains and restaurants. Perhaps one of the most notable atrocities that occurred was the hanging of Mexican Americans. According to LULAC, an activist group, "during this period there were more Mexican Americans hanged than blacks during the Civil War." During World War II Mexicans enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in the war. The Mexicans fought bravely and hard in the war earning 17 medals... center of the card... the LULAC ladies, chapter number nine. Ester Machua was a feminist who made it her life's work to promote and protect both women's rights and the equal treatment of Mexican Americans. This branch gave women the opportunity to meet and discuss their concerns. Just two years after being appointed to a position in LULAC, Machua disbanded her branch of the group because she was not impressed by the lack of support from the LULAC men. A year later he founded the group again and gained more support from men. Then he traveled to several states. In 1938 Machua was officially appointed hostess for the LULAC National Convention. This was an important point for Machua because she had put herself in “a position which she used effectively to expand the number of women auxiliaries” (Meier). The branch currently coordinates education and employment programs for women