Felicita Mendez was born in 1919. She became the first female and Latino to be elected to the California State Assembly in 1962. Mendez was known for her work in establishing bilingual education programs and authoring legislation that created one of America’s most expansive welfare programs. One of the main struggles she faced throughout her career was fighting against discrimination in public schools. Despite these challenges, she thrived in teaching and quickly rose through the ranks to become a successful principal.

Who is Felicita Mendez

Felicita Mendez, a Mexican-American teacher who became the first female and Latina candidate to be elected to the California State Assembly in 1962. Her political agenda included fighting against discrimination in the public education system. She was also known for her work in establishing the state’s bilingual education program and for authoring legislation that created one of America’s most expansive welfare programs.

In 1946, Felicitas Mendez began her career as a fourth grade teacher in the California public school system. This was an era when discrimination was common and people of Latin American descent were viewed as second-class citizens. Despite the challenges she faced because of her heritage, Mendez thrived in teaching and quickly rose through the ranks to become the principal of an elementary school.

In 1948, Mendez transferred to a middle school in Orange County where she continued to be successful in her profession. She became the first Latina to teach in the county’s public schools and later became well known for her work demanding civil rights for Latino students. She insisted that students with limited English proficiency receive bilingual