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Nydia Margarita Velazquez (born (March 28, 1953) in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico), became the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nydia, whose father worked the sugarcane fields, was one of nine siblings. She was raised with the influence of political dinner table conversations. Her father was a local political activist and at a young age she would accompany her father to political rallys. Her father would focus on the sugar cane worker's rights and denounce the abuse of the wealthy farmers. It was from these experiences that she attributes her believes in the values of justice and equality.
After skipping grades, she entered high school when she was 13. In high school she organized her classmates on a protest and the school closed down. Their protest against the dangerous and unsanitary conditions of the school were heard and the necessary renovations were made.
In 1969, when Nydia was only 16, she enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico(Universidad de Puerto Rico). In 1974 she graduated with high honors, "magna cum laude" and became the first one in her family to receive a college diploma. Nydia then went to New York where she attended and studied political science, on a scholarship, at New York University. In 1976 she received her Master's degree.
Nydia became a university professor for many years, first in the "University of Puerto Rico's" Humacao branch (1976-81) and then at New Yorks Hunters College (1981-83).
In 1983, Nydia was appointed Special Assistant to Congressman Edolphus Towns(D-Brooklyn). In 1984, she became the first Latina appointed to serve as a New York City Counilwoman.
In 1986, Nydia served as the Director of the Department of Puerto Rican Community Affairs of the U.S. During that time, she initiated a successful latino empowerment program called "Atrevete" (Dare To Go For It).
In 1992, Nydia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York's 12th District and became the first Puerto Rican woman member of Congress. The 12th district includes parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Lower Manhattan. Nydia also became the first Hispanic woman to serve as Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee. She oversees federal programs and contracts totaling $200 billion dollars annually. Nydia also serves in the House Financial Services Committee.
On April 3, 2003, Nydia was named "Woman of the Year" by "Hipanic Business Magazine" in recognition of her national influence in both the political and business sectors.
Among Nydia's firsts are: The first Hispanic woman to serve in New York City's Council; the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in Congress; The first woman Ranking Democratic Member of the House of Small Business Commettee and Hispanic Business Magazine's first "Woman of the Year."
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez has served in Congress from January 3, 1993-present.
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