Politicas: The New Latina! Leadership in American and Texas Politics

Valerie Martinez-Ebers

HWNT Latinas in Progress

November 17, 2012

A LONG Latina! Political History

Francisca Alvarez, the “Angel of Goliad” Norma Zuniga Benavides, 1st LEO ever! Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 1st LEO in

Congress The “Magnificent Seven” As of 2013, there will be

NINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWO Texas Trailblazers

Irma Rangel, 1st LEO in TX legislature

Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez

The Newest “Supreme”

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

NM Governor Susana Martinez

Another (Somewhat Controversial) Latina Trailblazer

Latina political leadership is NOT a new development, but….

Multiple factors created a Gender Gap in our past level of leadership.

Factors Behind the Political Gender Gap

Traditional/cultural views Limited personal resources Lack of recognition for our

contributions

BUT…..

Times change and so has the Gender Gap in political leadership.

WHY????????

Significant change has occurred over the past 10-15 years in the level of Latina personal resources.

Latinas also have achieved a new level of prominence and visibility in the political arena as Latinas increasingly vote, lead major organizations and successfully run for political office.

Gender Differences in Electoral Participation

Latino LatinaAsked tovote/give$40% 31%

Registered 77% 82%

Helped others vote 21% 52%

Voted 61% 67%

More Latino men are asked to participate than Latinas

YET,

Latinas participate at higher rates than Latino men.

Latina Elected Officials

In 1986 there were only 591 Latina elected officials nationwide.

In 2011, there were 753 Latina elected officials in Texas alone, 1,997 nationwide.

Latinas now constitute 35% of all Latino/Latina elected officials in the U.S.

The increase in the number of Latina elected officials far outpaces the increase in Latino men and Anglo female elected officials.

Latinas have different leadership styles than Latinos

Research shows that Latinas are more effective than Latino men in representing the needs of the Hispanic community and all working- class Americans.

Source: Fraga et al. 2005, 2007, 2008; Hardy-Fanta 1993, 2000

Latina Leadership Styles

Latinas place greater emphasis on: Representing the interests of multiple

groups, Promoting conflict resolution, Building consensus.

Latinas are more likely than Latino men to both propose and successfully pass policies that help their constituents.

Source: Fraga et al. 2005, 2007, 2008; Hardy-Fanta 1993, 2000

Expect and be ready to fully support the INCREASING numbers of Latina! Leaders.

Better yet……..

BECOME ONE, yourself.

How Can I Be a Latina! Leader? REGISTER TO VOTE as soon as you are old

enough INFORM YOURSELF about the problems and

needs of your community SPEAK UP about your opinions Make time to VOLUNTEER RESEARCH THE CANDIDATES who are

running for office – Make sure they support your views

Cast your VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION