Políticas: Latina Public Officials in Texas

Sonia R. García; Valerie Martinez-Ebers; Irasema Coronado; Sharon A. Navarro; Patricia A. Jaramillo

Published by University of Texas Press 2008

Políticas

Latina Public Officials in Texas

Sonia R. García , Valerie Martinez-Ebers , Irasema Coronado , Sharon A. Navarro and Patricia A. Jaramillo
With contributions by: Patricia Madrid

https://doi.org/10.7560/717299

Overview
Contents

About this book

In the decades since Latinas began to hold public office in the United States in the late 1950s, they have blazed new trails in public life, bringing fresh perspectives, leadership styles, and policy agendas to the business of governing cities, counties, states, and the nation. As of 2004, Latinas occupied 27.4 percent of the more than 6,000 elected and appointed local, state, and national positions filled by Hispanic officeholders. The greatest number of these Latina officeholders reside in Texas, where nearly six hundred women occupy posts from municipal offices, school boards, and county offices to seats in the Texas House and Senate.

In this book, five Latina political scientists profile the women who have been the first Latinas to hold key elected and appointed positions in Texas government. Through interviews with each woman or her associates, the authors explore and theorize about Latina officeholders' political socialization, decision to run for office and obstacles overcome, leadership style, and representational roles and advocacy. The profiles begin with Irma Rangel, the first Latina elected to the Texas House of Representatives, and Judith Zaffirini and Leticia Van de Putte, the only two Latinas to serve in the Texas Senate. The authors also interview Lena Guerrero, the first and only Latina to serve in a statewide office; judges Linda Yanes, Alma Lopez, Elma Salinas Ender, Mary Roman, and Alicia Chacón; mayors Blanca Sanchez Vela (Brownsville), Betty Flores (Laredo), and Olivia Serna (Crystal City); and Latina city councilwomen from San Antonio, El Paso, Dallas, Houston, and Laredo.

Author / Editor information

Sonia R. García is Associate Professor at St. Mary's University in San Antonio and serves as both the Chair of the Political Science Department and Graduate Director of Political Science.

Valerie Martinez-Ebers is Associate Professor at Texas Christian University and became the first Latina president of the Western Political Science Association.

Irasema Coronado is Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso and serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Sharon A. Navarro is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Patricia A. Jaramillo is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Foreword Patricia Madrid Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xv
Chapter 1. Understanding Latina Political Leadership Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 2. Areas of Inquiry: Why So Few Latinas Hold Public Office Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	17
Chapter 3. Irma Rangel: The First Latina in the Texas Legislature Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	34
Chapter 4. Latinas in the Texas Senate Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	51
Chapter 5. Latinas in Statewide Office Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	67
Chapter 6. Latinas on the Bench Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	75
Chapter 7. Latinas as Mayors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	89
Chapter 8. Latinas in Local Government Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	107
Epilogue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	130
Appendix A. Tables—Latinas in Public Office Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	135
Appendix B. Interview Instrument Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	145
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	151
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165

Language: English
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 198

eBook

Published: June 3, 2009
ISBN: 9780292794597