While Phillip Cruz was fighting in WWII Fernanda Cruz was working at Redlands. In her previous telegram she told Phillip about an opportunity to teach summer school and Phillip agreed that she should take up the offer.
Fernanda Cruz grew up in Azusa California. As a Mexican immigrant her and her family celebrated Mexican holidays and formed a strong community base though community events such as these.
Fernanda Cruz in her classroom at Mission School. Mission School was a Demonstration School. Demonstration schools aimed to teach students with hands on learning.
Fernanda Cruz was a first and second grade teacher who first taught at Bryn Mawr School and fought to close the segregated school. After the school was closed she went to Mission School. She inspired many students with her teaching.
Cruz with her first and second grade class in 1945. The racial mix of students indicates many of the Bryn Mawr School pupils had advanced to higher grades.