Editor’s note: This is a story by Angela Lopez of Perry, whose parents began working at Tyson Fresh Meats in the early 2000s and were able to send their three children to college. The closure of the Tyson plant will have a big impact on Angela’s parents, and she wanted to honor their decades of labor and sacrifice with this story. Do you have a story about working at Tyson Fresh Meats in Perry? Please send it to: theperrynews@gmail.com.
Our story begins 20 years ago, when my parents made the biggest and most tough decision to immigrate to a small town named Perry, located in Iowa. My parents, along with my two siblings, had big dreams and high expectations for us to all succeed.
Leaving your home country for a completely new world is not easy. My parents left their home country, their family and their house they had already built together. They sacrificed all of that in hopes of giving my siblings and me a better life.
We didn’t know anyone here. We didn’t speak or understand English, but that didn’t stop them. It was a cultural shock, but to our surprise the people in Perry were welcoming, and together we coped and made Perry our new home.
The reason we immigrated to Perry is due to Tyson. My dad has worked at Tyson for 23 years, and my mom has worked for 20 years. Tyson is hard labor. I would see my parents get home tired. They would always tell us, “See? Go to college. Get a degree so you don’t have to work like we do.”
We acknowledge Tyson provided stability for our family as work was always stable. In March, Tyson announced they will be closing permanently in June, leaving hundreds of employees without work and affecting hundreds of families and the Perry community.
Many have dedicated many years to this company. I remember having a conversation with my parents as soon as we learned the news, and they were devastated, wondering what the future brings. My dad said, “I feel like I gave my best years to this company, I have been working there for so many years, I feel sad.”
Most of the people I encounter will ask if my parents know English, and I tell them, “They don’t speak English, but they understand it sometimes.”
I wish they knew how selfless my parents are. They focused on working hard so my siblings and I could focus on school and learn English. In reality, they simply didn’t have the same opportunity my siblings and I did to learn the language.
In the end, we dedicate our achievements to our parents who came to this country with nothing and gave us everything! They made the best investment of their lives. Today they have three college graduates for children: a register nurse, a master’s in healthcare administration and an industrial design graduate. Thanks to them, we became first-generation graduates.
Gracias Papas! Todos sus sacrificios valieron la pena. No nos rendimos ante los obstáculos por que ustedes son nuestro mejor ejemplo.
Angela, Thank you for sharing your story. It is so important that people know about families like yours (and I do hope others will also share their stories). Your parents have given so much and obviously love that their children are happy and succeeding. You and your family coming here to the United States and Perry have contributed so much and will continue to do so. I’m proud of you and your siblings’ educational accomplishments! And super kudos to your parents for their love and support of you all, and I wish them the best for their future.