| Name | Leona Coleman-Castillo |
| District | Texas's 20th |
| Position | U.S. Congresswoman |
| Description | A longtime U.S. Congresswoman and prominent progressive leader who has represented Texas's 20th district since 1972. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Years in office | 1972 - present |
| Notable achievements | One of the first Latina members of Congress • Advocate for Latino civil rights, immigration reform, workers' rights, and social welfare programs • First major Latina candidate for President (1992) |
Leona Coleman-Castillo is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 20th congressional district since 1972. A member of the Democratic Party, she is considered one of the pioneering Latina voices in American politics and a leading progressive figure.
Coleman-Castillo was born in 1942 in San Antonio, Texas to Mexican-American parents. Her father was a factory worker and her mother was a seamstress. Growing up, Coleman-Castillo witnessed the challenges and discrimination faced by the Latino community in the segregated South. This inspired her to become a community organizer and activist, fighting for civil rights and labor rights in the 1960s.
Coleman-Castillo co-founded the San Antonio chapter of the Chicano Youth Liberation Front in 1968, organizing protests and boycotts against discriminatory policies and labor abuses. She also worked with the United Farm Workers to support the rights of migrant agricultural workers. Her vocal advocacy and ability to mobilize the Latino community rapidly made her a rising star in the Chicano movement.
In 1972, Coleman-Castillo ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, winning the election to represent Texas's 20th congressional district, which encompasses a large portion of San Antonio and its surrounding suburbs. At just 30 years old, she became one of the first Latinas elected to Congress, ushering in a new era of Latino political representation.
Over the next five decades, Coleman-Castillo built a reputation as a staunch liberal and champion of social justice causes. She was an early and outspoken supporter of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, which sought to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. She also advocated for the expansion of the social safety net, higher minimum wages, and stronger labor protections.
In 1992, Coleman-Castillo made a historic run for the presidency, becoming the first major Latina candidate for the office. While she did not win the Democratic nomination, her campaign helped increase the visibility of Latino voices in national politics.
Throughout her long congressional career, Coleman-Castillo has been recognized as a trailblazer and one of the most influential Latina politicians in American history. She is known for her ability to forge bipartisan coalitions and work across the aisle, even as she remains firmly committed to her progressive ideals.
Coleman-Castillo has received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and induction into the National Statuary Hall as the first Latina honoree. She continues to serve in the House of Representatives, where she remains an outspoken champion for Latino rights, immigration reform, and economic justice.
Coleman-Castillo's legacy extends beyond her own political accomplishments. She has mentored and inspired countless young Latina activists and leaders, paving the way for greater Latino representation in all levels of government. Her life and career have left an indelible mark on the American political landscape.
