KPBS Midday Edition

Teresa Urrea's Amazing Adventure

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Pat Finn / Producer

Published January 9, 2012 at 8:06 AM PST

This story was published more than 12 years ago.

When acclaimed novelist Luis Urrea learned about the dramatic and adventurous life of his distant aunt Teresa, he eventually wrote about her in "The Hummingbird's Daughter."

Author Luis Urrea talks about the amazing story of his distant aunt, Teresa Urrea, who became a famous faith healer in California after being driven out of Mexico.

Guest: Luis Urrea, author of "Queen of America."

In "The Queen of America, Urrea continues her amazing story when she learns that her touch can heal people.

When she discovered her powers, she began to preach a kind of gospel of self-worth and self-determination. These concepts greatly disturbed the Mexican government, which thought it had to execute her -- infuriating her many followers -- or exile her.

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When Teresa came to San Jose, California, and healed a little Anglo girl, her life changed drastically again. She was a star, and she was not ready for it.

"The Queen of America" is a selection of One Book, One San Diego.

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Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Pat Finn

Pat Finn previously served as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and KPBS Evening Edition. Finn began her career in broadcasting at KTLA and KCET in Los Angeles. In 1979 she became KPBS’ Public Information Director, then Director of Advertising and Promotion, Program Director, and Director of Broadcasting. She oversaw the station’s local and national productions, including the one-hour documentary Los Romeros: The Royal Family of the Guitar, and Child Protective Services, a one-hour look inside the San Diego County agency responsible for the welfare of at risk children. Both programs also aired on public television stations nationwide. Finn has earned honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

See stories by Pat Finn