Adelina Otero-Warren: A Woman Forgotten by History: Adelina, Suzana, Anita, and Sonia

Adelina “Nina” Otero- Warren and Susana Martinez are two different Latina women in New Mexico politics. Anita Martinez, by becoming Dallas’ first Mexican-American voted to City Council became a pioneer herself. These women have broken through barriers to accomplish things that Latina women could not have accomplished. Adelina was a pioneer for women’s suffrage in New Mexico and was deeply involved in the educational system of New Mexico in the early 20^th century. She advocated for bilingual and bi-cultural education. She was a cultural mediator between her Euro- American and Hispanic roots. Adelina was able to bridge the gap between her Spanish and Euro- American cultures. Susana Martinez broke all odds by becoming the first female governor for New Mexico in 2010. These are the most influential women in Latina Politics.

Susana Martinez was elected Governor of New Mexico on November 2, 2010, making her the first Latina Governor in United States History (governor.state.nm.us). Prior to being elected governor, she was the District Attorney for Dona Aña County for 14 years (governor.state.nm.us). Susana has also been named Prosecutor of the Year in April, 2011(governor.state.nm.us). Susana has paved a way for Latinas who want to get politically involved. As the first Latina Governor in the United States, this is a huge leap for Latinas everywhere. By being a Latina in a government office, Susana has made great strides for Latinas. Latinas now see, that they too, can run for office and be elected. Electing Governor Martinez means that the growing number of Latina voters are voting for people who will advocate for their voice. Latinas are now letting their voices be heard through the democratic channels of voting. More and more Latinas are being voted into higher political offices by their peers. No longer is the Latina voice in politics silenced. They are being heard and making their demands voiced. To make their voices heard, they are voting for other Latinas such as Susana Martinez.

Another woman who was a Latina and politically involved was Anita Martinez. In 1969, she was the first Hispanic person elected to the Dallas City council (Klienberg, Ruiz, Boris, 221). She was a long time community advocate and pushed for the city government to be more accountable to the needs of its residents.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor is currently serving as the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. She is from the Bronx, NY and she was educated at Princeton and Yale. She was appointed in 2009 by President Barack Obama and his Senate.