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Latinas have been making significant strides in US politics, but there’s still a long way to go.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) broke ground as the first Latina to serve in the US Congress, serving in the House of Representatives from 1989 to 2019. Following her, Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) became the first Democratic Latinas in Congress in 1993. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) made history as the first Latina US Senator in 2016.
Despite these achievements, representation remains limited: as of 2024, only 3.6 percent of all voting members of Congress identify as Latina, and just 3 percent of mayors in the top one hundred most populous cities are Latina. There is currently only one Latina governor: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM).
Vote Run Lead Action (VRLA) is committed to changing this narrative. Their VRLA Victory Series: Winning Strategies in 2024 is a four-part webinar series aimed at empowering women and gender-expansive individuals to run for office or work on campaigns.
Running for office is big step for women, and this series will offer helpful tactics to build campaigns and the support needed to not only run but also win, says Angelica Rubio, VRLA’s state director for New Mexico.
“This is also beneficial for Latinas and the Latinx community, who can gain strategies tailored to their unique cultural strengths and challenges,” Rubio says. “Learning with and from each other, we can cultivate spaces where we are not just candidates, but we’re also real people, with lived experiences, ready to govern and create a better world for our communities. We all need our networks in this moment, and Vote Run Lead Action’s Victory Series provides a unique opportunity to come together and learn.”
This series is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to increase Latina representation and make your political aspirations a reality.
Why Attend the VRLA Victory Series?
VRLA, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a truly reflective democracy, is committed to training and supporting women and gender-expansive candidates and campaign staff. With a proven track record of helping candidates succeed—76 percent of its alumni won state legislature races this year—the VRLA Victory Series promises to equip you with the essential tools and strategies to excel in your political journey.
VRLA Victory Series Details
1. Creating Your Campaign’s Digital Presence
Date: Wednesday, July 17
Time: 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. EST
Learn to craft persuasive campaign messages, create impactful ads, and implement effective digital marketing strategies.
2. Building Accessible and Disability-Inclusive Campaigns
Date: Thursday, August 1
Time: 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. EST
Gain insights into integrating accessibility, combating ableism, and fostering disability-inclusive campaigns.
3. Bystander Intervention to Stop Voter Harassment and Intimidation at the Polls
Date: Wednesday, September 18
Time: 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. EST
Understand voter rights, learn about voter suppression, and master the “5Ds” of safe intervention against voter harassment.
4. The Power of Relational Organizing to Win Big
Date: Thursday, October 3
Time: 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. EST
Discover how to mobilize your network and effectively organize to maximize voter turnout for the November election and beyond.
How to Register
Registering for these workshops is easy. Visit voterunleadaction.org/get-involved to sign up for one or all of the sessions. Whether you are looking to run for office or support a campaign, the VRLA Victory Series will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.
Don’t miss this chance to empower yourself and make a significant impact in the political arena.
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This article was written with the assistance of AI.
