Tribuna Norteamericana / nº15, abril 2014 U.S. Latinas and Political Leadership / Lisa J. Pino

U.S. LATINAS Lisa J. AND Lisa J. Pino is an American Latina attorney in Pino the United States, and the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of POLITICAL Agriculture where she served as a Presidential Appointee for President Barack Obama's Administration. LeADeRSHIP Pino began her service at USDA in 2009 upon her appointment as the first Most recently, she was the Deputy Assistant Latina Deputy Administrator of the USDA Lisa J. Pino Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Secretary of Civil Rights (SNAP). She is an award recipient for her at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) public service including the 2013 U.S.-Spain in , D.C. Young Leader Award and 2013 Horquilla where she served as a Award by Arizona State University’s Los member of President n order to examine the political released a financial status report on women in Diablos Association. In 2010, the Hispanic Barack Obama’s leadership of American Latinas in the the United States. The report found that a Scholarship Fund selected her as their 2010 I Administration. United States, one must first examine American third of American women are living in Brillante Alumni Hall of Fame Award. women in politics. Leaders as they say are born poverty, and that two thirds of minimum not made, and have certain undeniable qualities wage earners in the U.S. are women. Overall, that distinguish them from the pack. the report cites that 100 million Americans, Nevertheless, the ability for women to augment virtually a third of Americans, are either living their voice in the American political landscape in poverty or on the brink of poverty. 70% of and thus, also influence the world, continues to these vulnerable individuals are women and be an area of growth and need as the state of their children. Altogether, in regard to the American women becomes more vulnerable due current state of American women and their to economic instability. For Latina politicians, political leadership, the need for current and there is an urgent need for more Hispanic women future elected officials to address those issues in U.S. elected office as issues such as of greatest concern to women will increase. comprehensive immigration reform, health care, From wage inequality to reproductive rights and education remain top priorities for U.S. to education, political leadership in America Latinos. will hinge on the policies politicians adopt in Political American women of power answer to their female voters, whether the have come a long way. While Americans wait to elected official is female or not. hear whether will announce her One critical mechanism needed for candidacy for the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, women, including American Latinas, to or whether will become the next obtain more political power and gain gender Governor of , a recent report 1 unveiled equity is wage equity. As the Shriver Report startling news about the state of women in indicates, the average American woman earns America today. 77 cents for every dollar that a man earns. The The Shriver Report, a nonprofit media average African American woman earns 64 initiative founded by Maria Shriver to modernize cents for every dollar and Latinas earn only 55 America’s relationship to women, recently cents for every dollar that a man earns. When

1 1 The Shriver Report. Website. Last Access: 2013/11/07. 2 Tribuna Norteamericana / nº15, abril 2014 U.S. Latinas and Political Leadership / Lisa J. Pino

these wage disparities continue, the road for more Latinas to participate in politics becomes th more complex due to the impact that finances First Lady Michelle 113 Congress by Race/ethnicity and Gender might have on one’s ability to fundraise, leave Obama announced the current employment in order to campaign, or pursue prospective donors. Let’s Move! initiative in 100 Nevertheless, when identifying what 2010 with the goal of characteristics the most powerful female 80 American politicians have in common, certain ending childhood obesity themes emerge, whether Democrat or 60 Republican. These bonds include the within this importance of family, education, and health care generation of children even if the candidates disagree as to what role 40 government should be in these policy arenas. For instance, First Lady Michelle Obama women incumbents who will run for another 20 announced the Let’s Move! initiative in 2010 gubernatorial term. emily Schultheis describes with the goal of ending childhood obesity in Politico magazine that Debbie Walsh, Director 0 within this generation of children. Minority of the Center for American Women in Politics, White Latino Black Asian/PI Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, states the potential for more women to become Democrat and the first woman involved in politics. % Women % Men Speaker of the House in history, is a champion In Washington, D.C., women play a of equal wages for women while she is also a significant role and are influencing American Source: Latino Decicions Website. grandmother, mother, and loves dark chocolate. politics in President Obama’s Administration. On the Republican side, although Sarah Palin Since President Obama took office in 2009, he and Michele Bachmann are less visible today has appointed women in high-level executive In 2009, President than during their respective runs for U.S. branch posts, as Supreme Court Justices, and in Obama shaped history by Latinos comprise one of the fastest growing President and Vice President, they too are visible key positions in both the White House and at demographics in the nation, and as the U.S. mothers, wives, and grandmothers in the public federal agency posts to serve his Administration. selecting the first Hispanic transitions into a non-white majority, the gap of eye. Cabinet members of the Administration include women of color in office, including Latinas, 2012 was a record year for American Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and woman to the bench of remains high. women in the U.S. Congress. Women hold 99 Human Services , Former the U.S. Supreme Court, In September 2013, NBC Latino of the 535 seats in the U.S. Congress according Secretary of U.S. Labor Hilda Solis, and Former writer Maria Camila Bernal profiled a new book to the Center for American Women and Politics, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Justice Sonia Sotomayor that highlights how more Latinas are entering constituting 20% of seats in the U.S. House of Security Janet Napolitano. Recent Cabinet U.S. politics. Dr. Christina Bejarano, author of Representatives and 18.2% of the seats in the appointments include U.S. Secretary of the The Latina Advantage: Gender, Race, and Political House of Representatives. Most of these women Interior Sally Jewel, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Success (2013) 2 cites the growing number of hail from California and New York, the most Penny Pritzker, and United States Mission to the “Wise Latina” has a loyal following. Although as Latinas running for elected office, which is populated states. Aside from the gap of women United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power. Justice she cannot play any role in politics to promising. As stated, of the 535 members of the representing enough women voters in the U.S., In the White House, the President relies upon preserve her duty to remain impartial as a Justice, U.S. Congress, there are 98 women. 9 women only 30% of the 98 women in the U.S. key advisors such as Senior Advisor Valerie she still influences the world of Washington as an are Latina, 14 women are African American and Congress are women of color, and altogether Jarrett, and Domestic Policy Council Director esteemed member of the Supreme Court. 7 women are Asian American or Pacific Islander. only nine U.S. Congresswomen are Latina. and Latina leader Cecilia Muñoz. While the appointment of Justice Bernal also describes how author While the U.S. Congress statistics for In 2009, President Obama shaped Sotomayor continues to have a positive influence Bejarano shares more information on Latina women fare are improving, the number of history by selecting the first Hispanic woman to in the presence of Latinas who have national participation in state politics at the state women elected as Governors still lags. The 2014 the bench of the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice influence, there are still far too few Latinas in the legislature. 81 Latinas comprise the 1,788 election later this fall includes five states that will Sonia Sotomayor. Sotomayor is a fierce role U.S. Congress and in elected office. When women in U.S. state legislatures. Of the 24% see Democratic women run for office and four model for women and Hispanics alike, and the 2 Bejarano, C. The Latina Advantage: Gender, Race, and Political Success . University of Texas Press, 2013.. 3 4 Tribuna Norteamericana / nº15, abril 2014 U.S. Latinas and Political Leadership / Lisa J. Pino

2013 Latino State Legislators by State 2009 Latino State House Members From Non-Majority Latino Districts

34 100 31

28 80 25

22 60 19

16 40 13

10 20 7

4 0 1 AZ CA CO FL IL NJ NM NY TX Total NM TX AZ CA CO IL NJ NV FL

Latinas Latino Males Latinas Latino Males

Source: Latino Decicions Website. Source: Latino Decicions Website. women state legislators, 368 women are members of racial and ethnic minorities, 2011, of the 28 Latino members of the U.S. including 242 African-American women, 81 Congress only seven were Latinas (from Latinas, 32 Asian American and Pacific Islander, Of the 535 members of the U.S. Latina candidates tend to be California, Florida, New York and Washington). and 13 Native American women. Most Latinas Congress, there are 98 women. 9 Today, Latinas comprise 9 elected seats in the elected to their state legislature are Democrats. more qualified in preparation for U.S. Congress and the Governor of New Mexico Currently, Latina state legislators are present in women are Latina, 14 women are their careers, and Latinas can Susana Martinez became the first Latina elected as governor in the U.S. and the state’s first 20 state legislatures and the states with the most African American and 7 gain from both attracting women Latinas in this role are New Mexico (12), Texas women are Asian American or woman governor. (10), and Arizona (8). and minority voters As Bejarano states in The Latina To reach equity between the Latino Pacific Islander Advantage : community in the U.S. and the number of “[The ability for Latinas to run for office] Bejarano describes the history of Latinas Latinas in office, more Latinas are needed to run The promising trends that Bejarano includes questions about the state-level factors in U.S. Congress began when the first Latina for office and become political candidates. The reveal in her book posit that Latina candidates that can influence Latina political office-holding member, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban decision for running for office is a challenging and officials attract a greater diversity of voters, across the country, with an analysis of the 2005 American from Florida, was elected in 1989. and complicated decision, and women are more which includes support from non-Latinas. The and 2009 state legislatures. The presence of Although the growth of additional Latina voters likely to consider politics when asked to run for influence of these Latina candidates is critical at Latina legislators is larger for the states that have seems slow, the gains made in Congress increased office. Aside from the pressure of exposing a time when U.S. Latinos are facing hurdles in a higher minority population and more Hispanic by 500% and the number of Latinas in the state oneself and family to the public eye and often economic wealth, educational college owned businesses. Overall, the results point to a legislature level grew by 280%. The pace of callous scrutiny, the daily demands of completion rates, and economic security. different set of state-level factors to explain Latina representation on the local level is slow but employment, family, health, finances, and other Similarly, Latina candidates tend to be more Latina political variation, which does not fit the improving. responsibilities can compete with the ability of qualified in preparation for their careers, and traditional models used to explain the variation The growth of Latina members in a Latina to announce that she will file as a Latinas can gain from both attracting women of women in general or minority women in Congress from the last election is inspiring. In candidate for an elected office. and minority voters. particular. For instance, Latina legislators are

5 6 Tribuna Norteamericana / nº15, abril 2014 U.S. Latinas and Political Leadership / Lisa J. Pino

office when fundraising, seeking volunteers, and opportunities for equal pay, rights, and access. The only national program for strategizing political campaigns requires The participation of Latinas For more Latinas to succeed in political significant work and resources. With a graduate office, these candidates will need to appeal to Latinas operates in California network exceeding 400 alumni, HOPe and in the political process not both Latinos and non-Latinos voters. Although and is known as the Hispanas similar leadership programs offer the Latinos comprise 15% of the U.S. population, opportunity to Latinas to engage in the political only influences the Latino Latino voter participation is low compared to Organized for Political process. electorate, but influences the Latino voter eligibility. During the 2012 U.S. Equity or HOPE If the participation of Latinas in the Presidential election, over 70% of Latino voters political candidacy process increases, then the American vote voted for President Barack Obama. The turnout American electorate will continue to shift of the Hispanic vote will be closely watched in generally more likely than their male toward the Latino vote. Latinas who are effective the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, as both counterparts to represent districts with less than candidates will also engage non-Latino voters, The issues most important Democrats and Republicans understand their 50 percent Latino populations. This finding and non-Latino votes are often needed to win need to appeal to an increasingly diverse voter highlights the ability of Latinas to attract more support in increasingly competitive districts. to Latino voters reflect the profile as America shifts toward a non-white diverse voter coalitions. In addition, Latina Thus, the participation of Latinas in the political majority. legislators are not significantly disadvantaged in process not only influences the Latino electorate, issues that are of most One key trend that will continue to terms of the amount of campaign contributions but influences the American vote. If role model concern to general voters: the influence the American voting block is how each they collect compared to their male Latinas are in the public eye and serve as an month 50,000 Latino youth turn 18 and almost counterparts.” 3 option for voters, reflecting the values, issues, economy, health care, the all are thus eligible to vote. U.S. Latinos, whose For Latinas who are interested in and priorities of Latino voters, then perhaps average age of 26 is significantly younger than obtaining the skills and training of running for Latina elected officials will inspire other Latinos federal budget deficit, and the general population in America, are joining office, there are several leadership training to further engage in the political process by foreign policy the eligible voter pool at high rates. As their programs for women in the United States, both voting. number increases, the U.S. Latino vote will grow bipartisan and partisan, that offer leadership and The Pew Hispanic Research Center in in power and influence. networking opportunities to encourage women November 2012 issued an analysis that found By 2050, Latinos are expected to A well regarded U.S. non-profit to run for office. The only national program that Latinos comprise 10% of the electorate. This is comprise 25% of the U.S. population, an organization whose mission is to expand the offers a program specifically for Latinas operates an increase from 9% in 2008 and 8% in 2004. 4 increase from the current 16% of the U.S. number of Latino voters in the U.S. is the in California and is known as the Hispanas The report also found that the Latino vote is population. As the Latino population will Washington, D.C. based organization Voto Organized for Political equity or HOPe. playing an increasingly important role in continue to grow, the Latino community’s Latino. President and CeO Maria Teresa A successful recruiting program for battleground states such as Florida, , engagement in the political process is increasingly Peterson has led this successful organization that Latinas interested in the political process, and in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, important. Latinas represent half of the U.S. has already registered more than 200,000 Latino HOPe serves the support and education to Texas. Interestingly, the issues most important Latino population and influence how the Latino youths. As the Latino youth population grows, encourage Latinas to run for office. The to Latino voters reflect the issues that are of most community will grow in coming years during a their influence as they reach voting age will shift leadership program runs over the course of nine concern to general voters: the economy, health critical time for the Latino vote. the U.S. vote and ability for more Latinas to run months and involves components ranging from care, the federal budget deficit, and foreign The issues that remain important to for elected office. academic seminars, group presentations, field policy. 5 The Pew report also found that although Latina voters will remain important to Latina According to the Pew Hispanic trips, advocacy days, as well as health, education, immigration remains of top concern to Latino candidates and elected officials. These issues are Research Center, Latinos could grow their vote and economic empowerment offerings. voters, less than two thirds of Latino voters education, health care, and safety for children by a significant rate if they registered and voted Programs such as HOPe provide the tools agreed that immigrants should have the and families, and equal rights and equal pay for at the rate of their eligibility and potential. Voto needed for Latinas who will benefit from the opportunity to apply for lawful status whereas women. Nevertheless, Latino engagement in the Latino has been influential and successful by opportunity to learn about becoming a political 28% stated that those immigrants should political process will grow from the influence of engaging youth in the political process and candidate, and offers a network of support from instead be deported. Lastly, the 2012 advocacy in public policy, an increasing role in leveraging technology to engage teens through other women. The confidence and network of Presidential election demonstrated that 71% of education, immigration, economic equity, and different vehicles such as social media. This these support groups can play a critical means Latinos voted for President Obama and 27% civil rights. Latinas more than ever are getting motivation of youth, which in turn can influence for Latinas to seriously consider running for voted for Republican candidate Mitt Romney. involved at both the local and national level to the family and friends, encourages Hispanic civic remove barriers to access, and strengthen engagement in the political process. 3 Bejarano, C. Latino Decisions. Web. Last Access: 2013/13/09. 7 4 Latino Voters in the 2012 election”. Pew Research Hispanic Trends Model. Website. Last access: 2012/11/07 8 5 Ibid. Tribuna Norteamericana / nº15, abril 2014 U.S. Latinas and Political Leadership / Lisa J. Pino

According to Tommi Pryor in 2000 to 21.3 million in 2010”. 9 Latinos The third barrier for more Latinas to be “Reaching the Hispanic Vote- A Major Political comprise 16% of the U.S. population as the in political office involves Latino culture 16 . As Force”, Associated Press writer Laura Wides- 2010 census reported 50.5 millions Latinos in The ability for a Latina Latinas we are not often encouraged to be Munoz and the Pew Hispanic Research Center’s the country although Latinos constitute only assertive, but that confidence is critical when study determine that online engagement is the 10% of eligible American voters. Muskal to be able to succeed running for office and campaigning. Calderón most effective means for engaging Latino youths distinguishes how 42.7% of the nation's Latino quotes a moving story from Leticia Van De Putte in the political process. 6 Pew’s report determined population is eligible to vote, but 77.7% of financially despite the who was raising her children when running for that the 56% of U.S. Hispanics who are online whites, 67.2% of blacks are eligible, and 52.8% office in Texas, but received criticism from other might be low compared to the 71% of non- of Asians are eligible to vote according to the costs of running a Latinas who questioned her about her Hispanic whites and 60% of non-Hispanic Pew Hispanic Research Center. 10 Additionally, motherhood while running a campaign. The blacks who are online, yet the number of online voting rates vary according to country of origin campaign and then sacrifices that women make for work and while Latinos is still significantly increasing. Pryor as Pew cites that 49.3% of Cuban origin voted balancing the needs and pressures of family has shares that Voto Latino’s strategies for effective in 2010, compared with 29.6% of those of serving in office on these become a normal part of everyday life for women civic engagement include social media and Puerto Rican origin and 28.7% of Mexican in the 21st century. Hopefully Latinas will mobile texting to reach young Latinos online. origin. 11 lower salaries is difficult continue to make strides, and organizations and Pryor quotes Lee Vann, CeO of Captura In 2008, a new U.S. Political Action efforts that encourage them to persevere will also Group, stating that “U.S. Latinos comprise the Committee formed to inspire and support as Latinas already earn flourish. fastest-growing segment of online users and Latinas to run for office know as PODeR PAC. significantly less than As a Latina who was fortunate enough outpace the overall U.S. market by 15 times”. 7 The Founders, Catherine Pino and Ingrid to have had the privilege and honor of serving Given the rising trends of the growing Duran, founded the PAC to support Latina average in President Barack Obama’s Administration at power of the young Latino voter and the need candidates for office and connect them to a the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 4.5 for more women and Latinas as elected officials, national network of Latina leaders. Although to the dollar years, I am proud that I represented Latinas in Republicans and Democrats will continue to young, the PODeR PAC has been successful in my role while also encouraging other young lure women and Hispanic voters in the motivating Latinas to be active in political women to become involved and reach for their upcoming elections. After the 2012 U.S. campaigning. More recently, a new initiative Susana Martinez, and the 9 members of the U.S. dreams. As the first Latina Deputy Presidential election, both parties were aware of known as #LatinasRepresent by the National House of Representatives. As Sara Inés Calderón Administrator of the USDA SNAP the importance of building the votes of youth Hispanic Leadership Agenda and Political Parity wrote in her 2012 article, “Why Are There Not (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), I and women, and the rising influence of the is launching in 2014 to encourage more Latinas More Latinas in Congress”, Latina elected had the opportunity to add value to my role in Latino vote. to run for office. officials shared that success requires planning numerous ways as a Latina who had completed While the U.S. Latino vote still Latinas remain underrepresented in the ahead and sacrificing coordination across community work for over a decade. I also had evolves, the Latino vote lags behind although the U.S. Congress as no Latina has ever served in economics, organization, and culture. 13 the chance to speak to Latinas all over the nation, Latino turnout for the 2010 election represented the U.S. Senate, only one Latina has ever served Indisputably, economics is a key factor whether in high school or college, or mothers, 6.9% of all voters, an increase from the 5.8% of as Governor of a State, only 1% of Latina state as the salary of the elected official in office such grandmothers, entrepreneurs, politicians, 2006 voters according to the Pew Hispanic senators and legislators are Latina, and of 320 as state legislature is low. Additionally, serving in activists, and more. Center. 8 Thus, while the ability of Latinos to statewide executive offices, only 5 are Latina. state legislatures like Texas and Arizona are part- Latinas represent a powerful force in influence the vote has critical potential, Latino Moreover, of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of time employment. 14 The ability for a Latina to the U.S., and Latinas have just begun. The voter turnout rate is not as high as its voter Representatives, 78 seats belong to women, but be able to succeed financially despite the costs of Nielson Report describes Latinas as a $1.2 eligibility rate. just 9 seats belong to Latinas. 12 running a campaign and then serving in office on trillion market, and by 2060, a third of women Writer Michael Muskal emphasizes the The Latinas who are most known these lower salaries is difficult as Latinas already in the U.S. will be Latina. For shifting education, growth of the Latino voter as Latinos eligible to leaders are Supreme Court Justice Sonia earn significantly less than average to the dollar. career, and income levels, the power and vote “grew significantly from 13.2 million in Sotomayor, the Governor of New Mexico Calderon cites a second barrier of influence of Latinas is surely on the rise. If organization as a barrier to more Latinas being in Latinas can leverage this growth into a social 6 Prior, T. “Reaching The Hispanic Vote - A Major Political Force”. Winning Campaigns. Website. Last access: 2012/11/07 office. A successful candidate must have the movement as many already are, then the 7 Ibid. fundraising and organizing skills to run a representation of Latinas in elected office has a 8 “The Latino electorate: A Widening Gap between Voters and the Larger Hispanic Population in the U.S.” Pew Research campaign and remain in office. 15 future that certainly looks bright. Center. Website. Last access: 2012/11/07 9 Muskal, M. “Pew analysis: Latino voters are many - but not as many as they could be.” Los Angeles Times. Website. 2011/04/26. Last access: 2012/11/07. 13 Calderón, S. I. “Why Are There Not More Latinas in Congress?” Mamiverse. Website. 06/10/2012. Last access: 10 Ibid. 2012/11/27. 11 Ibid. 14 Ibid. 9 12 See the visual banner from the new #LatinasRepresent campaign with sources from the Center for American Progress 15 Ibid. 10 and U.S. Census Bureau. 16 Ibid.