Over the last several decades, Latinas have significantly increased their numbers in public office. Many have done so via a route of grassroots and community activism. Social movements have played an important role in producing and electing these leaders, some of whom have incorporated this activism into their legislative praxis. During this CU on the Weekend lecture, Professor Celeste Montoya will discuss her research on Latina legislative leadership in the Colorado General Assembly from 1970 to 2020. In this work, Professor Montoya applies an intersectional lens that considers the role of identity, community activism, and social movements in shaping Latina legislative leadership, both in their journeys to political office and the legislative practices they employed while there. Through their varied paths, we learn a lot about the obstacles and opportunities that Latinas, and the Latino community more broadly, have faced in Colorado and beyond. Furthermore, we learn about the vital contributions Latinas have made to their communities and to the state.

Over the last several decades, Latinas have significantly increased their numbers in public office. Many have done so via a route of grassroots and community activism. Social movements have played an important role in producing and electing these leaders, some of whom have incorporated this activism into their legislative praxis. During this CU on the Weekend lecture, Professor Celeste Montoya will discuss her research on Latina legislative leadership in the Colorado General Assembly from 1970 to 2020. In this work, Professor Montoya applies an intersectional lens that considers the role of identity, community activism, and social movements in shaping Latina legislative leadership, both in their journeys to political office and the legislative practices they employed while there. Through their varied paths, we learn a lot about the obstacles and opportunities that Latinas, and the Latino community more broadly, have faced in Colorado and beyond. Furthermore, we learn about the vital contributions Latinas have made to their communities and to the state.