Celebrating LATINA Leadership
on the Hill
By Gloria Romano-Barrera
“I’m so glad to wish LATINA Style a happy 25th anniversary,” states Congresswoman Lucille
Roybal-Allard, (D), California. “The magazine plays a critical role in highlighting the many
positive contributions Latinas make to our economy and our country as a whole. By profiling
Latinas in its pages, LATINA Style creates inspiring role models for today’s Latina youth as they
choose their path in life.”
Twenty-five years ago, LATINA Style Magazine launched its premier issue with the three first
Latinas ever to hold a position in Congress: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, (D), California,
Nydia Velazquez, (D), New York, and former Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R), Florida.
The influence and growing power of Latinas in Congress didn’t halt with three. Today, 13 Latinas are
leaving their mark on the Hill making critical decisions impacting not only Latinas but Americans.
Congresswoman
Lucille Roybal-Allard
(D-CA40)
In 1992, Congresswoman Lucille
Roybal-Allard became the first
Mexican-American woman
elected to Congress. She has
distinguished herself throughout her
congressional career as a dedicated
advocate for the dignity and well-being
of all Americans. Congresswoman
Roybal-Allard is the first Latina to serve
as one of the 12 “cardinals,” or
chairs, of a House Appropriations
Subcommittee, as well as the first
Latina to serve on the House
Appropriations Committee. She is also
the first woman to chair the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus; the
first woman to chair the California
Democratic congressional delegation; and the founder of the Women’s
Working Group on Immigration Reform.
“I’m thrilled that Congress has more Latinas serving than ever before.
Our diverse backgrounds and distinct experiences bring crucial perspectives
to the debates on Capitol Hill,” states Roybal-Allard when asked about her
thoughts on the current 116th Congress. “The injustices and inequalities we
have seen in our own communities and in our own lives deepen our
resolve to fight for policies that work for all Americans, no matter who they
are or where they come from. I’m so proud to work with my Latina
colleagues as we advocate for solutions to the problems that concern our
communities and our nation.”
Roybal-Allard believes Congress is more diverse and a
representation of the nation than when she started, however, the current
polarization makes it harder for them to achieve consensus and pass
critical legislation important to the American people.
Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is an original co-author of The Dream
Act, which would allow certain U.S.-raised immigrant youth to earn
lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. In 2019,
she introduced the newest version of this bill: HR 6, The Dream and
Promise Act.
16 LATINAStyle www.latinastyle.com Vol. 25, No. 5, 2019
/www.latinastyle.com
