Ana Benson on Finding the American Dream and Helping Others Discover Freedom

And I love that you said that. For me, it's just, it's choosing to be grateful to like that's what to me, it's like, you know, happiness, the question of happiness means choosing every day to be grateful that we're blessed to live here. We're blessed to live in the most amazing country where we can be free to pursue our own dreams. So thank you. And then the last question is for someone out there who wants to get involved, but you know, may not know where to start or maybe scared and think, you know, I don't know if I can do that or these problems are so big. I'm not going to be able to make a difference.

“Or, you know, I'm too busy like I'm a mom or I'm a dad or I have a full-time job. Like what would what advice would you give to them and what would you tell them about getting involved and how to get involved?”

Americans are capable of achieving extraordinary things when they have the freedom and opportunity to do so. This is American Potential.

Hey everyone and welcome to the American Potential Podcast. I'm your host David from this year as America celebrates 250 years of independence or reminded that our story has been shaped by people who were born here and those who chose to make this country their home. Today you adhere from one of those Americans. Heather Andrews got to attend the Let Freedom Ring concert and spoke with a woman who immigrated to United States and is now helping educate people in her community about America's founding documents and the principles they represent.

Thanks, David. I'm here with Anna Benson, ahead of American for Prosperity Utahs. Let Freedom Ring celebration here in Salt Lake City, Utah. On a story starts a long way away from here in Peru in 1987. So Anna, welcome. Thank you. Thank you for having me.

So let's start at the very beginning because it really intrigued me. You never intended to come to America like at all.

“So what was happening with your life in Peru back in 1987?”

Well, it happened to be the I'm supposed to be Mary at the time. And I find out that my future husband, Chirito Mi, and he broke my heart and I was really sad about it. And I was looking for peace for coming my life. I need a new place. I need something different. My environment that I have. Right. So in a happy to be there have friends. They came look up to me.

They knew what happened. They were they were talking to me and one of my friends offered me to come to USA and be able to find peace and calm.

“I got a wonderful but I think a lot of women out there can relate to the heartache of having someone.”

Yeah, do that. And I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But it sounds like you know you landed in Southern California. I was late when actually Ronald Reagan was president.

So tell me what did America feel like to you in those first few days and what surprised you about being here versus being in Peru?

When I arrived to America, I didn't know how to look. I heard a lot of good things for my father on the table talking about the great country America was talking about the all the success and how they're the government helps their people and there is no poor people there. I remember he was talking about and that's the knowledge I did. So when I came, I was remembered that when I came I see everything well organized everything well clean nice people and that was my first day and then later by later I started meeting people American people and that was really really.

They were a great example for me to become someday American citizens. Yeah, yeah, so you spent you spent 35 years in California and you said you started noticing some changes in the state, you know, the regulations, the propositions and working in a school you had kind of a front row seat to all this. So what did you see and when did it start changing for you there? What I noticed, I was living in California for so many years and 87, it was totally different. It was more conservative, more family oriented California, but later by later or year by year, it started changing when we have a governor, even Arnold Schwarzenegger who was a governor in California couldn't do much to try to go back for those years to back to the years of Reagan.

I know there's always need, but I think some proposition it was just to gain more people for voting more democrat and the state of California.

How does that happen? The state and nice and beautiful state. They didn't have any debt. I mean, they didn't have debt as big as I when I live, it was like a 30 million dollars in debt. So how is that happening? It's happened through the years. They didn't happen in one year.

“It came little by little, adding more, adding more, adding more, the state is changing and that's what I noticed. And when they put a proposition, they always trying to disguise those propositions.”

They didn't try to write things. They said, "Oh, this is going to be for you." This is how the children exactly exactly in people believe it. Yeah, they do. Yes, they don't really look into it and do the research. Exactly. It was very hard. That is really, really hard. So somewhere in that time, a friend asked you to help out with Mitt Romney's campaign.

And so you, like, you know, made noctores and made phone calls. And as you did that, for a lot of people, you know, the first yes to, you know, helping a campaign or candidate.

And especially knocking doors and making phone calls, it's scary reaching out to people. So tell me, what was that like for you to get involved for the very first time in a campaign? Well, 2008 Romney was campaigning his first campaign. He didn't win the nomination. So he did the second campaign in 2012.

“So we were active, me and my friends to research one of my leaders. I remember that in Riverside County and she put me on it. And then I said, okay. So very good leader.”

Tell me, okay, you want to learn come with us. And we went to San Diego. We made phone calls and we reached a certain certain amount of money.

Yeah, we can be able to go to another meeting and we can see personally and they're from me. Okay, this is so good. Now next event. You guys want to learn more. You guys got to come and ride with us.

There's two buses. We're going to go Nevada. We're going to act or send those districts and we're going to get a car. We're going to motivate people because selection is coming. We need you. Yeah. Okay. I like I want to do something because sometimes when you frustrated was happening in your state when the or in the government. You feel like it. Like it depress. I wish I can find the right word and you feel angry and frustrated and you feel angry and frustrated. And you want to do something. What do I do? Yeah.

I want to do something because sitting in my couch and watching TV watching the news, it doesn't help at all. Right. Well, that's wonderful. We need more people like that that are like instead of getting on social media and like, you know, getting on in these endless social media bottles. Like it's great when people actually do like stand up and say, what can I do to make a difference and I mean, and as you probably made phone calls and doorknock, it was it got easier and easier to talk to people. It's actually fun to have conversations with people. It is and people love to have people like they just want some of the listen to them, right? Like, is that what you found when you were making phone calls and talking to people?

You feel like you know they're only one who think that way. They're only one who's asking for you know, for justice, asking for less taxes, etc.

“Yeah. You find like a lot of like minded people out there that are like, oh, yeah. I believe in that. I want to make a change. How do I do that?”

So I wanted to take us to the day that you were sworn in as the United States citizen. So what was what was that? And that was in 2001, right? Okay. So paint that picture for us. What was that like for you? Well, it happened in 2001 and we all all of us know what happened in the living, right? Hey, September 11 was a sign that has a my day of interview. And I remember getting up and getting ready for my interview. If you go to the immigration service office and Los Angeles. So I remember getting up and I do not the TV.

And I see what's happening. The terrorist, the airplanes in New York, everything. I saw his care. I was so sad and I asked my husband and my kids this prey. We got in a needs and we prayed the morning after we find out what's happening and my appointment was in the afternoon. So I get ready and get it.

I see a lot of people, a lot of thousand, probably 3,000 people there waiting, we waiting. And everybody was talking about what happened with September 11. And everybody in their mind, this sad day, right?

“I remember being there and the judge took the time to speak, to tell us what happened, to tell us exactly how he felt. And it was really touching the words that he said about the terrorist, about our freedom, about what is required from all of us.”

I mean, new citizens to now, to fight for this country. And it was really impact me and I weigh the really make me change. She changed my whole perspective to become an American citizens.

And this had part, maybe I can tell and tell. Yeah, this had part was, I was sitting in the arena and it was two or three seats next to me. It was four guys, seating in the, and the same line and the same role. Also, also, who are going to be, comes to the same exact. Yes. And they were sitting there, they just, they fought their legs, they didn't even cut it, they didn't even get up. Do they play the legions up with the right hand and the heart for the national anthem, nothing. So it was time to do for the, for the old, we need to get up and wave the flag that we can get, we can get it and they didn't even get up for that.

And I was looking and I said to myself, what is wrong? Why does happen? Why they don't feel the same thing? I feel I was so grateful. My heart, I felt love for a big love for this country. And the grateful that I felt is just for because this country gave me freedom and I understand really well was freedom, yes. So when I remembered that day, and see those four guys that didn't pay any attention and they didn't do anything to celebrate to becoming American citizen, it was so sad.

But the joy was there in me. What a beautiful experience. And what a bittersweet, like time to have that happen, but yeah, you'll never probably forget that day ever for many reasons for many reasons.

That's so incredible. So from there, tell us what happened from there. So you then, you know, life took you to Utah and what you found, you know, hearing Utah surprised you.

“That a lot of good people simply hadn't really been taught about the constitution or at the other founding documents. And so what did you decide to do about that?”

Well, one of the things, there's a lot of events that happen in my life. They make me decide to do this. Yeah, you mentioned that I was working at the school. Yes, I did. And I was sure people who I am are not a public and I'm going to be both from a Romney. I'm going to do this and that, that's a republic. And when you're working in a system, when everybody, everybody is democrat, they paint you like paint you like you are the person, you're the problem, you're the, yeah, yeah. So that's the way I felt when I was got it.

But when you, after that motivated me is for me to do something, to do something for for people, they don't know nothing about history.

“Yeah, I find that there's a lot of people, they don't feel the same way I feel about America, right? And I was wondering why are they, why?”

So when I asked questions, they really don't know history. No, they really don't know history, right? The three pillars in the government. Yeah, they don't know. Yeah, okay.

So that is when you take me to the opportunity and I'm doing that. And I feel such a joy when people come to me and say, I never knew that America has a beautiful history.

Oh, I can only imagine, yeah, and so you offer, so you helped each other about the founding documents, and then you also offer citizen ship classes.

And, you know, many, many women signed up, right? Is that this is correct? And, you know, 25 people finished and earned it. So what does it mean to you to kind of walk that road with somebody else and watch them go through that process of becoming a citizen like you did?

“Teaching the Constitution and Spanish. Talking about all in my own language, it brings me a lot of joy because the communication is like we say in Spanish.”

It's pueblo to pueblo, oh, like a nation is just directly where the person. We have 17 countries, this book is Spanish and here in Utah and everywhere, 17 countries. Now my goal was, okay, we need to be united because when you try to form a group, it's Spanish group. It's not going to get Peruvians or Venezuela or Mexico. No, they need to get the 17 countries to come together. So we all have this because all we all 17 become one nation, American, American dream. So it's for my goal is to be able to find leaders for each different countries in pattern. I love them united in embrace this country. That is my goal. That's beautiful. What a wonderful goal. Yes, I love that.

So after you came to Utah, you connected with a group, moms for liberty. That's right. No, sorry, moms for America. Okay, yeah, we're just talking about like, okay, moms for America and the CEO asked you to do something pretty bold, which is to start the first Hispanic chapter.

“Yes. So tell us all about that and what that was like, well, she called me and she asked me if I want to represent a Hispanic community.”

For the first time in Utah, you haven't represented there. I can become the state director for Utah, months for America in Spanish.

And I said, well, it's going to be a privilege for me and I can be able to teach. I can be able to let them know what I know about the constitution about USA history. Yeah, it's just like a vehicle for me. You know, my experience about what happened with us for guys in the ceremony when I was doing my own.

“It brought me and I said, okay, this is your chance now to be able to teach, to be able to pass and let them know there's this always gladi to her heart to do and to give to this country.”

Yeah, absolutely. Tell us more about the Hispanic community that you've, you know, been able to reach out to in Utah and other places. Do you find that they're traditionally conservative or they tend to lean the opposite direction and have you have you had success building the chapter out and reaching that community as someone who is, you know, from when I had the assignment, I was thinking a lot about grass roots. I was thinking about people that they're coming in here. They probably are the only resident permanence they're not becoming citizen yet. And I said, well, they really dig grass with maybe I should start teaching them so they can become citizen soon in five years or less.

And once for America told me, what was my plan? My plan was to bring a leader for each city, but from different countries. I don't want all of us to be one country. I want them to be a different country. I've decided different exactly. So they, so they can bring the own culture and we can gather together and we can celebrate my one of my best experiences.

I had as when I was celebrating Mother's Day, we teaching one of the classes from Kurdish meeting, which is ladies first. And that class.

You talk about Abigail Adams, John Adams, wife, who, a woman who represent America who played for us, who trying for women to be able to vote. So I tell my group, okay, why don't we bring different women from different countries and tell us about one hero.

So they came and I started the meeting, the event, talking about Abigail Adams.

And then all the other women, they started talking about their, those women, the amazing women.

The good thing about this, it was all those women from all this country. They were fighting the same thing like Abigail Adams was fighting. So they really, wow, we all have something in common.

“Yeah, so that's something they can unite us and not divide us. Right, right. That's been really safe. How many members do you have now that that regularly?”

Well, we cut people that follow us in our meetings 25, sometimes it's 30, but that's wonderful. Well, in one event, but we growing. Yes. We are growing and the good thing is about the classes that we give about the master class citizenship classes. It gives us a opportunity for us to reach out people. They're getting ready to become a citizens. And we do this in collaboration with Restoration of America. But like I said, Master America, it showed me the path. The my dream can become true. That is why what I saw in the past now, I cannot just thinking how well was that I spent it's no, I can change that.

Me and can make make it like it really happen. I want this dream come true. For these women, when you're meeting and talking about these principles and some of the, you know, talking about history and these heroes. Are they is it resonating with them? Do they, do you feel like that they're now kind of like you like proud to be an American and like really, really grateful to be here in this country.

“And very grateful to also hear about the principles that this great nation was founded on how is that message being received at his end.”

That message is well received because they don't not nothing they don't know even. They're starting for why it was 250 right now. They don't know. They are such a lot. But my experience was her melinda or have another person to to told me and said, "Look, I've been resting for 10 years, rest in the permanent and here."

And I never had a desire to become a USA citizen.

And she said to me, "But after those classes, I want to become a USA citizen." That's wonderful. It was really, yeah. I know that young mother come to me and she said, "Ana, thank you for this." Plus, I never knew that USA did all the sacrifice for the freedom in this country. So, and she's a young mother. Yes, a young mother. And I tell her, "Come to our meetings, even if you have a tutorial bringing here, there's not going to be any problem."

“But I think, for me, it's very important as a leader to connect with them.”

It's not just a number. It's a person. I don't want to see numbers. I just want to see people connect. Become the friends so they can trust and mean and they can have somebody to follow. By those principles, they will learn in the college meetings and they can see the 28 principles from the constitution.

That's beautiful. Thank you so much for all the work you're doing on that. That's incredible.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, too. Months for America. Forgive me for the opportunity to have a restoration of America. To you, to America and for prosperity. I really thank all the supporters that you have. Someday, I want to see hundreds of hundreds of Latinos. Anything, race only one flag, American flag, but in their heart, making me still loving that old country.

Right. That's what I was going to say. We don't have to, like, forsake their culture and their country. And I love that you bring that, you know, that you brought that, like, bring someone a hero from, you know, a woman or anyone that from your country from the history. And let's talk about that because you can weave that into, you know, and not forsake that and and still be proud to be an American or and still be a great American. Yes. Yeah. Just live them.

Where the great, guilty, the great guilty, the great guilty, right here. They can come here and bring the cup because we don't try and do change who they are. Yes. They find them to embrace this culture. I mean, take great. Absolutely. There's room for everyone. Exactly. Absolutely. That's what makes this country so beautiful. This is America.

I think we all of us, all of us want to be happy, all of us. Everybody is seeking for happiness.

But sometimes happiness could be only one moment, one day or two days when you are medication or when you are doing something that you really like it. But real happiness is when you're leaving a place, they give you the freedom to you looking for the real happiness too. Real happiness too because they live freedom and share it with the people you most love, which is your family, your family, your friends, everyone. You call workers that you neighbors, everybody. Yes.

That's pursuit of happiness. I came sad. I came here. I came very sad. You said you had a very full circle from coming here, broken and sad and yeah, eating healing and yeah. And now you're able to be happy. That's a suit of your own happiness.

Persona, I don't happiness because I know what is the way. I know what's the way. I know if everyone, all the Hispanic community, could be identified in search for that happiness. They're really happy to them. They live in this country and they feel the freedom yet. Because they need to read, they need to study the constitution.

They need to read the declaration independence in your rights and pursue that happiness because it's possible. America is a miracle. America is a place where dreams can true. And I love that you said that.

“For me, it's just it's choosing to be grateful to like that's what to me.”

It's like, you know, happiness, the person who happiness means choosing every day to be grateful. That we're blessed to live here.

We're blessed to live in the most amazing country where we can be free to pursue our own dreams.

So thank you. And then the last question is for someone out there who wants to get involved, but you know, may not know where to start or maybe scared and think, you know, I don't know if I can do that or these problems are so big. I'm not going to be able to make a difference.

Or, you know, I'm too busy like I'm a mom or I'm a dad or I have a full-time job. Like what would what advice would you give to them and what would you tell them about getting involved and how to get involved? Well, I think the first thing for me is have the desire and your heart that you want to do a change.

“If you want to, if you really want it and is in your heart to do something and take this frustration away from you,”

if you need to do something, you will find a time. Because time is a precious, it's precious, especially when you have children,

you have a husband and family and you have to work, but it's always, always eating,

10 minutes every day trying to read and learn something. If it's only 10 minutes that you have a day, grab a book or just look at research, go to Google, go to a and find a history and look and seek and you will find it. Really, just by giving you the challenge, take minutes every day, it's a dream. That's that's beautiful.

No, thank you so much. Anna, thank you so much for being here, for sharing your beautiful story. Thank you for having me. No problem. Thank you for all you're doing and for that, you know,

I don't even want to call it one small step because I feel like you've taken a lot of, like, one small step throughout the years and you're just taking giant leaps at this point to help others learn about and how to take their one small step. So really appreciate you. Thank you so much.

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