In 1992, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard became the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress. She has distinguished herself throughout her 30-year congressional career as a dedicated advocate for the dignity and well-being of all Americans. The congresswoman is the first Latina to serve on the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives as well as the first Latina to serve as one of the 12 “Cardinals,” or Chairs, of a House Appropriations Subcommittee. She is the first woman to chair the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the first woman to chair the California Democratic congressional delegation. She is a founding co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care, founder of the Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform and a co-founder of the Congressional Public Health Caucus.
Growing up as a Latina in Boyle Heights, I witnessed racial, economic, and gender-based discrimination that shaped my values and my commitment to public service. Those experiences contributed to my passion for fighting in Congress to defend the civil rights of all Americans, particularly the most marginalized.
I strongly support federal efforts to expand opportunities for women and minorities, and to protect the rights of all Americans under the law. Despite the great strides our country has taken, too many Americans continue to experience violations of their civil and human rights. Too often, minorities are targeted by discriminatory laws that deter them from voting, women are still paid significantly less than their male counterparts, and people of color are disproportionately subject to use of force by police.
As the first Mexican-American congresswoman, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and an associate member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I will keep fighting for policies that close the achievement gap, reduce systemic racism, and preserve Americans’ right to participate in our democratic process. As a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I will continue advocating for the rights and dignity of our LGBTQ community.