Many of these women have agreed to be profiled as una voz primera. I will be adding to this list as I meet mujeres primeras. 

Virginia Martinez: First Chicana to pass the bar in the State of Illinois

Maria Mangual: Founder of Mujeres Latinas en Accion

Evette Cardona: Founding member, Amigas Latinas 

Juanita ‘Jane’ Gonzales (deceased),Muskegon Heights, Michigan: First Latina elected to government office in the state of Michigan. Founding member, Midwest Council of La Raza.

Alicia Hernandez aka ”Mama Moses” of Toledo Ohio: Director Ohio Hispanic Abstinence Outreach, The RIDGE Project. For 30 years an advocate for migrant housing, resources and rights in Northwest Ohio/Southeast Michigan.

Emily Torres: First Latina on ISO 9000 team for Ford Motor Company, Detroit Michigan

Carmen Velasquez: Founder of Alivio Medical Center, a community health care center serving the predominantly Mexican neighborhoods of Pilsen, Heart of Chicago, Little Village and Back of the Yards on Chicago’s southwest side.  

Mary Gonzales-Koenig: Founder, Spanish Coalition for Jobs

Teresa Gutierrez: One of the first Latinas on local network television

Margaret Lujan (deceased): Founding member, LULAC chapter 313

Irene Hernandez (deceased): First Latina elected to city government, Cook County Commissioner

Susan Alvarez: First Latina to become board certified mortician, State of Illinois

Linda Coronado: Activist, helped to help get Benito Juarez High School built and designed by a Mexican architect

Nancy ‘Rusty’ Barcelo: First Chicana to attend University of Iowa, founding member of MECHA at University of Iowa.