Earlier this month, the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus acknowledged Rep. Annie Menz (D-Norman) for changing into the first Latin American girl to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Menz follows Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) who in 2020 turned the first Latin American girl lawmaker elected in Oklahoma. Her district, 43, additionally covers components of Norman.
Menz advised The Transcript she felt prompted to get into politics as a result of she seen that few lawmakers and staffers shared her background.
“I worked on the staff side of the Legislature for many years, and I noticed there was a deficit of people that looked like me, not only in leadership positions, but in staff positions as well,” she mentioned.
She has jumped on totally different alternatives to share her tradition, together with Hispanic Cultural Day on the Capitol, which she organized. The occasion passed off on May 10, 2022, and it offered an area for lawmakers to have fun the Latino group.
Menz grew up in west Oklahoma City, the place she was raised by an Army father and an immigrant mom. She mentioned she understands what it’s like to really feel uncomfortable and unrepresented.
“When you look around and you don’t see a role model that looks like you, you are obligated to become one. “That’s what I believe,” she mentioned. “Minority groups, including the working poor, have not been afforded a seat at the table when it comes to policy-making.”
Garvin mentioned her grandparents got here from Mexico and her grandmother taught herself to communicate English by studying a dictionary.
“Becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States was something that made her incredibly proud and was one of her greatest accomplishments,” she mentioned. “Both of my grandparents were extremely patriotic and my grandpa was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II.”
She mentioned her grandparents lived a troublesome life, however their sacrifices made it attainable for Garvin to serve the place she does.
“I will never forget walking into the Capitol to be sworn in as a state senator, looking at my dad and saying, ‘I wonder if grandma and grandpa are up there watching in shock because their journey to America resulted in their granddaughter being the first Latina ever elected to the Oklahoma State Legislature.’”
While Menz and Garvin signify two totally different events, Garvin mentioned that the 2 work collectively on what’s in the most effective curiosity of the Oklahoma Latino inhabitants.
“I know she will serve passionately and I am hopeful that we can find common ground on policies that will benefit Oklahoma Latinos,” Garvin mentioned.
She mentioned she hopes Menz’s election, alongside along with her personal, will pave the way in which for higher illustration amongst Latino and minority populations.
“I may be the first in Oklahoma history, and the first senator, and Annie Menz may be the first representative, but I am positive that we have started a new chapter for Latinas across our state and that we will see many more women who look like us being sworn into office in the near future,” Garvin mentioned.
Both Menz and Garvin will serve on the bicameral Latino Caucus, which was established to concentrate on points that influence the Latino inhabitants in Oklahoma, and is comprised of males, girls and lawmakers from each events who’re in search of bipartisan options to deal with these points.
“I decided to run, wanting to provide that space for people who are marginalized,” Menz mentioned. “Growing up poor and brown in Oklahoma is something that a lot of people in my district share with me.
“I met a lot of people with the same background and upbringing that I have and I get to represent them on a whole different level.”
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