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The Marta Ramirez family story reflects the relatively late arrival of Argentinean immigrants in U.S. history. In a brief interview, Marta related her hopes of anew life in the United States. Like almost 90 percent of native Argentineans, Marta was raised a Roman Catholic. Her husband was a government worker under Argentinean leader Juan Domingo Perón. As with many Argentineans caught in a politically unstable environment of repeated military takeovers through much of the twentieth century, Marta's husband lost his job in 1955 when Perón was overthrown and forced into exile.

After a brief futile job search, the Ramirezes sold their home and moved to a small community in New Jersey where many other Argentinean Americans settled. Marta seemed relieved to leave and avoid possible political persecution from anti-Perón factions. She was pleased to find a beauticians job and tried hard to become an American.