In the vibrant streets of San Jose, a powerful movement is reshaping the traditionally male-dominated world of lowrider culture. Led by Angel Romero, the Dueñas car club is not just about stunning custom cars, but about challenging stereotypes and building community.

Romero’s journey began with memories of her mother, who first introduced her to lowriding through a 1977 Monte Carlo. Frustrated by being overlooked in male-dominated car clubs, she founded Dueñas in 2019 – a name meaning “female owners” in Spanish – to create a space where women could truly own their automotive passion.

With 11 members spanning from Modesto to Hollister, Dueñas has become more than a car club. They’re a powerful force of community engagement, collecting diapers for young mothers, gathering toys for local services, and distributing hygiene products to homeless encampments. Each year, they also raise thousands of dollars for breast cancer research.

The club emerges from a rich historical context of lowrider culture in San Jose, which saw its peak in the early '70s before facing significant crackdowns. After San Jose repealed its cruising ban in 2022, clubs like Dueñas could finally reclaim public spaces.

Moreover, Dueñas is changing narratives about Latino communities. “Our culture is so beautiful – the women, the lowriders – it’s art,” Romero explains. “We’re changing the narrative. We’re not the stereotypes people think we are”.

Their impact extends beyond their own membership. Lola Perez of Hollister was so inspired that she founded Chulas Unidas, another women’s car club, demonstrating how Dueñas is sparking a broader movement of empowerment.

With only three all-women clubs in the United Lowrider Council of San Jose, Dueñas represents a powerful shift. They’re not just driving cars; they’re driving change.