Pachucas

Las Pachucas were involved in much of the violence surrounding the Zoot Suit Riots, often in documentation being seen throwing things and yelling at law enforcement.

Las Pachucas feminized the masculine style of dress by wearing, in addition to the coats, sheer blouses, shorter, pleated skirts, fishnet stockings or bobby socks, platform heels or sandals.

Their use of make-up and beauty products was another identifying feature, as they wore dark lipstick and used foam inserts called rats to lift their hair up into a high bouffant/up do, and most often sported plucked and thin eye brows.

The emergence of the coverage and documentation of Las Pachucas, as well as "the appearance of female pachucos coincided with a dramatic rise in the delinquency rates amongst girls aged between 12 and 20 years old"[2] after the Sleepy Lagoon Case.

Similarly, "La Opinion referred to them as "las malinches"–traitors to established Mexican codes of chaperoned feminine conduct.

[9] Amelia Venegas, a Mexican American woman and later considered a cholita, was arrested for disturbing the peace and carrying a concealed weapon after cursing at police officials.

According to the press, "twenty-two-year-old, mother of a toddler and wife of a sailor, had incited violence by urging a gang of pachucos to attack sheriff's deputies in her East Los Angeles neighborhood.

"[6] Additionally, newspapers reported that she "attempted to smuggle a pair of brass knuckles to "zoot suit hoodlums" to assist them in their street brawls with sailors.

Adler commented that Pachucas "scandalized the adults of the Anglo and Mexican communities alike with their short, tight skirts, sheer blouses, and built-up hairdos".

As far as the razor blade concealed in a barrette, protection for young women were of the utmost importance, especially during a time of increased violence and racism toward Mexican Americans.

Unlike their later Los Angeles counterparts, Tucson Pachucas did not seem to take to gang life other than simply being aggressive- as shown from their motto 'no dejarse' which "describes a strategy of not allowing oneself to be treated unfairly or badly"- and hanging out in groups with their friends.

[15] They teased their hair up higher into a beehive, they wore heavy makeup, and continued to hang out in club-like "gangs" which they gave names like "Copper Queens".

To combat the large immigration numbers, most government officials saw it necessary for public schools to conform to a national education policy.

Although society had trouble with the socioeconomic and political changes, the women who worked near the borderlands and the American Southwest held that sense of community and identity as they found support within their families.