Women moves to Philly to find a better job

Date: November, 1999

Interviewer: Mary Ortiz

Interviewee: Nilda Ortiz
 
 
 

What is your full name?

Nilda Ortiz

What is your nationality

Puerto Rico

What is your date of birth?

November 30, 1956

Where were you born?

Patillas, Puerto Rico

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

I moved around August of 1979

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

Because in Puerto Rico there wasn't any jobs or any opportunity to move ahead in life

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I like Puerto Rico I love the weather of Puerto Rico the only thing I didn't like is that it doesn't have any opportunity for jobs

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because I had family here they gave me the chance to come over here to live and find a job

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

My life didn't change at all the only thing that Philadelphia had the opportunity to find a job because that was the only thing Puerto Rico wasn't offering

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

Well, job opportunity - that's what I was looking for

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

Well, I guess to buy me a house, to buy my own things, everything that I need, things like that.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

Before it was cleaner and peaceful and now there are more violence and more drugs the streets are more dirty. Before you didn't see nothing like that.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

My family, I guess. My father and my brothers.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

I didn't have any problems when I came.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

When I came here I had nothing at all not even a penny. No one gave me money at all. When I came here in the airport I had to wait 4 to 5 hours because the girl that was suppose to pick me up didn't come on time and I didn't have any money to catch a taxi. Luckily, she came like 5 hours later because if she didn't ,what was I suppose to do?

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I like it - is relaxing since I'm a person to myself and never in no one business I keep to my job and my responsibility and don't be depended to anything else so that why I like it.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Right now I live a happy life with my family. I got a good job. I got everything I need is here. In Puerto Rico I didn't have nothing. My mom and dad don't live there no more so I really don't have any reason to go back.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I came when I was in high school - it was in the 11th grade.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No, I never regretted moving here because what was I suppose to do in Puerto Rico? Is difficult if you don't have an education in Puerto Rico, you don't move ahead because there no jobs around.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

I have no reason to go back, all my family is here so I don't have no reason. My mom and dad passed away.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, who did you get money?

Sewing was my first job in a sewing factory. That the best thing: Philadelphia has jobs. All you have to do is get up and look for them. Well, the first week I got here I quickly found a job up to now - what 10, 13 years I been working doing the same and it's going good.

Is there anything you would like to add?

The only thing I would like to say is "As long as you have an education and work for what you want but if you don't work, it'll be a struggle for you."