| Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas is a life-long activist and change-maker. Jessica is a nationally-recognized expert on health care reform, gender and racial justice. She has a deep understanding of building coalitions on both the grassroots level and within institutions of power.
As the daughter of an immigrant father from Paraguay and a Puerto Rican mother, Jessica is a fierce advocate for people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ communities. A resident in our community since 1999, Jessica understands that the strength of our Queens community is in its diversity, and holds an unwavering commitment to progressive values. Which is why she has also worked in the fields of disability rights, higher education, and veteran's health.
Jessica was on the founding board of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), a Queens-based immigrant rights organization and a founding member of Jackson Heights' New Visions Democratic Club. She has served in leadership of many local advocacy efforts, including the New York City Transit Riders Council and the New York City Young Women's Initiative. For the past 13 years, Jessica has led a national organization dedicated to expanding healthcare access, building Latinx power, and advancing reproductive justice. Jessica was also an adjunct professor at CUNY City College and NYU Wagner School of Public Service. |