Dear Friend,

Over the past few weeks, people across the country have been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month – which runs from September 15 to October 15.

This month is very important to me and to many of you and your families! As a proud Latina and the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, I am proud to celebrate the many rich cultures and traditions, as well as honor the incredible contributions that Latinos have made to our country’s success. 

This month is also a time to reflect on the work that still needs to be done, including delivering fair wages and working conditions, expanding access to high-quality and culturally relevant health care, and providing more educational opportunities that create pathways to good-paying jobs – not just for Latinos, but for all Oregonians.

I am committed to uplifting everyone in our community, listening to your stories, and bringing your concerns to the policymaking table to create real and impactful change. 

Check out some of the work I’ve been doing to support our Latino communities here in Oregon and across the country:

• Spoke on a panel about empowering Latinas in the workforce
• Held a roundtable with Oregon farmworkers and their families about the need for disaster relief
• Discussed my work to break down cultural and language barriers that are preventing Latinos from accessing mental health care
• Introduced legislation to create a national outreach and awareness campaign and expand access to mental health services for Latino youth