Talking & Tacos: CA Sen. Maria Elena Durazo joins us for some tacos and honest conversation

Our guest today is California Senator, Maria Elena Durazo. Maria Elena was born the 7th of 11 children to migrant workers. It was at a young age that Maria Elena first experienced the exploitative conditions and challenges migrant laborers face. In spite of the obstacles of being born into a migrant working family, Maria Elena went on to earn her college degree from St. Mary’s College, which is where she became involved with the Chicano movement. Following her studies, she entered the labor movement as an organizer with what would later become UNITE-HERE. While working she also received her degree from the People College of Law. In 2004 Maria Elena became the Executive Vice-President of UNITE-HERE International and In 2008 she served as the vice-chair to the DNC and National Co-Chair of the Obama Presidential Campaign. What I know her best for is between 2006-2014 she was the first woman to lead the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor as Secretary-Treasurer. In 2018 Maria Elena was elected to serve public office as Senator of the 24th district of California.