Latino Empowerment: Nanette Barragán

by | Oct 10, 2024 | Blog

California’s 44th Congressional district finds its representation in Congressman Nanette Barragán, whose career has managed to be a continuous force of advocacy and civic innovation. Whether you live within California’s 44th district or not, it is likely you have heard of her through her participation in the many congressional caucus’ that she is member to, or perhaps through her sincere outspokenness on American politics.

Back in April, 2024, Barragán made headlines for her words on the calls for Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor to retire, when she appeared on MSNBC’s The Weekend: “Stop telling Latino women what to do,” proclaiming a clear respect for a Latina woman who manages to uphold the standards of such a powerful and influential position in the American justice system at 70 years old. Such rhetoric speaks to a clear understanding of the importance of Latino empowerment, both recognizing it another, and using her own to speak out for them.

Nanette Diaz Barragán was born in Harbor City, Los Angeles in 1976. She was one of eleven children being raised by her parents, who immigrated from Mexico. Her father made a living as a TV repairman, and her mother found work in factories and cleaning homes. Barragán sites her parents as instilling a strong work ethic in her, along with a love for baseball. Her career may not speak to her love for baseball, but that strong work ethic has undoubtedly driven her to be the successful Latina woman working within American politics that she is today.

Born and raised in California, she also pursued her education in the golden state, receiving her undergraduate degree from UCLA, and her Juris Doctor from the USC Gould School of Law. Following her academic career, in late 1990s she began her career in public service, working in outreach for the Office of Public Liaison for the Clinton administration. During this time, she also worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) with a particular focus on racial health disparities and discrimination.

Later, in 2003, she served as an extern to Justice Carlos Moreno of the Supreme Court of California, and in 2004, she served as an extern to the Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation, a law-firm that works specifically with people who have low-income. Following years of work in litigation, in 2013, she ran for Hermosa Beach City Council, and was the first woman to be elected to the position in over a decade. During her time on the city council, Barragán made a name for herself as an advocate for environmental justice.

She found her current position in Congress, when she was elected in 2016, as the only new democratic Latina to join the House of Representatives that year. Barragán’s strong work ethic and sense for leadership led her to be chosen by her peers as the President of the freshman democrats. She is the first Latina to represent California’s 44th Congressional district, and continues to work hard to make changes in the political landscape of the United States. Nanette is now the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a legislative service organization within the House of Representatives that works to address national and international issues, and craft policies that impact the Hispanic community.

Congressman Nanette Diaz Barragán remains a steadfast voice within American politics, as she remains to committed to the improvement of environmental issues, access to healthcare and a more equitable society.

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