| In November 2012, Mary E. Gonzalez was elected State Representative for House District 75-an area that includes east El Paso County, the fastest growing parts of the city of El Paso and the towns of San Elizario, Socorro, Clint, Fabens, and Tornillo. Mary was raised in Clint, Texas and graduated from Clint High School. She is currently serving her fourth term at the Texas House of Representatives.
Mary serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Public Education Committee, and is Vice Chair of the Local & Consent Calendars Committee in the Texas House. Throughout her time as a State Representative, she has authored numerous bills to improve public schools, increase economic development, and support agriculture in House District 75 and throughout the state. She is currently serving her second term as Vice Chair for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, a second term as Secretary of the House Border Caucus, and the Chair of the new Texas House LGBTQ Caucus.
Mary Gonzalez was also elected Vice Chair of the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs. a national non-partisan, 501 (c)3 non-profit organization comprised of the elected Latina/o officials serving as the chairs and vice chairs of their respective state Hispanic Legislative Caucuses from across the country, as well as other Latina/o members serving in leadership position.
Mary received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master's Degree from St. Edward's University, and her Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction- Cultural Studies in Education at UT-Austin. Previously, she has worked at the National Hispanic Institute, the University of Texas at Austin, and as the Assistant Dean for Student Multicultural Affairs at Southwestern University. Mary currently serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for Allgo, Texas' state-wide Queer People of Color organization.
As a result of her accomplishments, she was named "Freshman of the Year" by the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, a "Champion of Equality" by Equality Texas two sessions in a row, and the 2015 "Advocate of the Year" by the same organization. In 2015, she was the youngest inductee into the El Paso Women's Hall of Fame. She also received the Progressive Movement Leadership Award from the Young Elected Officials Network at their 2017 National Convening and as a "Leader of Promise" by the YWCA of Greater Austin in Honor of her commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women. In 2017, Gonzalez was nominated for the national Victory Fund Award, an award created to honor state LGBTQ elected officials. Most recently, Rep. Mary Gonzalez was awarded the "Champion for Children" title by the Equity Center, a Texas-based nonprofit organization that strives to create a more equitable public school finance system.
Mary has been recognized by Latino Leaders Magazine for her leadership in education, was recognized as one of ten "Next Generation Latinas" by Latina Magazine, and as one of the 10 newly-elected politicians to watch in the nation by NBC Latino. |