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Democracy by Participation: The Life and Legacy of Cruz Reynoso

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Democracy by Participation highlights the life and career of Cruz Reynoso (1931-2021), the first Chicano Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, former professor at the UC Davis School of Law, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Curated by UC Davis History Ph.D student Daniel Castaneda and assisted by Bulosan Center Archivist Jason Sarmiento, this exhibit highlights Justice Reynoso’s belief in the power of increased political participation as a way to promote social justice and equity. Featuring political ephemera, court documents, and personal papers, this exhibit shines a light on not only Justice Reynoso’s personal and career history but highlights the Mexican-American social experience in California during the 20th century. 

The physical exhibit draws from the Cruz Reynoso papers and is located in the Shields Library lobby, in the display cases near Archives and Special Collections.

The finding aid for the Cruz Reynoso papers is available at the Online Archive of California: https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8ns0x5r/. 

Early Career

Reynoso at Fullerton Junior College, 1951
Reynoso’s Fullerton Junior College photograph (1951)
Reynoso at Fullerton Junior College, 1951
Letter Certifying Cruz Reynoso’s Admission to the California Bar (1959)
Cruz Reynoso's Private Practice business card
Cruz Reynoso Business Card (c. 1963)

Political Action

Cruz Reynoso Campaign info
Campaign flyer from Reynoso’s Campaign for the California State Assembly (1964)
Viva Pat Brown brochure
Brochure for Governor Brown’s Election (1966)
Cruz Reynoso for Assembly ephemera (1964)
Cruz Reynoso for Assembly ephemera (1964)

Time in the Courts

Appointment to the Supreme Court of California (1982)
Appointment to the Supreme Court of California (1982)
Independent Citizen's Committee Brochure
Independent Citizen’s Committee Brochure (c. 1980s)
Congratulatory Telegram from Former Vice President Walter Mondale (1982)
Congratulatory Telegram from Former Vice President Walter Mondale (1982)

Reynoso’s Later Life

Announcement notice for Cruz Reynoso's Appointment as Boochever and Bird Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality, 2001
Announcement for Cruz Reynoso’s Appointment as Boochever and Bird Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality (2001)
King Hall Counselor, Fall 2001 Issue
King Hall Counselor, Fall 2001 Issue