|
My Sister Irma and Her Family
Irma Tapia
 In 1957, Irma came to Olvera Street to live in the Sepulveda House with Mother and me. She later gave birth to Rosita (aka Ginette). Irma was always the life of the party and would love to dress up glamorously with all the beautiful dresses Mother created. For awhile, she worked at Mr. Webb’s Fur Shop which was located just below the Sepulveda House. Since she was a professionally trained dancer, Irma also danced at the Paseo Inn night club and worked with other performers including Gonzalez Gonzalez. She had taught dance and won several awards. Since I can remember, I always remember her with a great passion for dance. She had a natural talent and looked spectacular in her Spanish dresses. Later, she ended up buying the store from Mr. Webb.
 In 1965, Irma met Joseph Gutierrez at the famous "El Coyote Restaurant" where he was the Head Bartender in charge. As the story goes he was tall, strong, handsome, with dimpled cheeks and an irresistible personality was the bonus. Love eventually united them in marriage. They became business partners creating a very unique Olverita’s Méxican Village #W-24 one of the largest stores on the street. All of our children, dressed in costumes, demonstrated the art of flower making in their store. She wanted to create a villiage with different booths in the store to highlight all the beautiful hand-crafted merchandise from Mexico. Joe also worked at the famous Brown Derby on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. We would like to hear his stories about the rich and famous! He was a character. He had a joy for politics and the Dodgers.
 |
 Irma was always very hospitable with all of our visitors. We would often feel she was a wonderful Ambassador for Olvera Street. You could always find her making visitors laugh and enjoy their time with her. It wouldn’t matter if she could speak their language, she would always have an audience around her as she was full of life. She was contracted out to Pittsburgh to demonstrate the art of Piñata making and hired out for Great Western Savings & Loans creating paper flowers for their promotions.
 One of our highlights was when the Yellow Pages invited my sisters Belle and Irma to be featured on the cover of their August 1967 telephone directory. It was an exciting day. They dressed themselves along with little Estrellita in their most authentic and colorful costumes to represent the Street at its best. We were delighted to see the Old Plaza Park - Birthplace of Olvera Street with the family on the cover. I thought Irma and Estrellita looked so beautiful with their Mexican dresses. My sister Belle looked full of life with the two gentlemen by her side. On June of 1977 they were again asked to represent Olvera Street on the White Pages of their Directory.
 |
 My sister Irma had three daughters, Rosita (aka Ginette), Estrellita (aka Star) and Frances. Ginette was the first Angel for Las Posadas, and participated in all the events. We were surprised to find a photograph of her in the World Book Encyclopedia dressed as an angel. Estrellita was adored by her older sister and always looked like a little doll. As an adult, she bought Casa Susana and worked with her beautiful daughter Leila. Seventeen years after Ginette was born, Frances arrived. All of Irma's daughter's participated as the Angel leading the procession of Las Posadas and eventually the Virgin Mary. Frances’ oldest son, Oscar Jr., has also been an angel for Las Posadas too. He is the fifth generation of the Tapia Family to participate in the traditional events on Olvera Street. Frances has four sons: Oscar Jr., Marcus, Adam and Mathew.
 |
 As a young lady, Ginette was voted Miss Olvera Street. She greeted the Rose Queen and other visitors to Olvera Street. She also appeared in several parades with Miss Chinatown including the Rose Parade. As an adult she became Vice President of the Olvera Street Merchant's Association and became politically active in her pursuit preserve Olvera Street’s authentic culture, which she learned from her grandmother and her Uncle Mario Valadez. In her vision for the street and the community, she created and is Webmaster of Olvera-Street.com. In addition, to her Project WWW Website Designs Company, she curates The Annual Dia De Los Muertos Juried Art Exhibition, as well as other cultural events throughout Los Angeles. She is delighted to share her treasured past, passion, and vision with her lovely new family: John, Monica and Wolfie who now participate in Olvera Street.
Ginette with fiancé John Trausch
|
