Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

I chose the road less traveled. It is during Hispanic Heritage month that I am reminded of how we as Latinos have come so far and now face a great turning point of political influence. We are starting to see a new generation of leadership and innovative thinking, sparked by a President who is more than willing to lead by example. My journey to my current role as Treasurer of the United States was not an easy one, but it has definitely been worthwhile. And I definitely did not take this journey alone.

Over a year ago, I was originally inspired at the National Democratic Convention in Denver when I decided I wanted to make a difference in the presidential election beyond the usual channels of fundraising. I wanted to volunteer in a state where the Latino vote could very well be the tipping point not just to win the electoral votes for the state, but possibly the election nationwide. I chose Virginia because of its growing Latino demographics, low voter registration numbers, and its passionate core of Latino leaders who felt the same way I did. Nationwide, Latinos made significant contributions in states that were formerly red including Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Florida. But I knew there was something special happening in Virginia.

I knew it would be a huge challenge, but I thought that if we can make a difference in Virginia, we could galvanize the Latino electorate in future elections anywhere. I devised a strategy to register Virginia Latinos and recruit Spanish-speaking volunteers at DC United soccer games, with the support of the DC United owner Victor MacFarlane, who also happened to be my boss. To understand the significance of what the Virginia win represents for the future of elections and the influence of the Latino vote, one only needs to take a look at the presidential election results. On November 4, 2008, the Latino voice was loud and clear. Virginia Latinos comprised only 3% of total eligible voters, but on Election Day they accounted for 5% of total voters in Virginia – a state that Obama won by 5% (or roughly 155,000 votes). Before Election Day, Virginia had voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election since 1952, except in 1964.

It’s important to note that it was a collective effort of many other volunteers who joined me with the help of Federico Pena and local Virginians like Walter Tejada, Carolina Espinal and Gabriela Lemus. The process was so fragile that I think if one thread was lost, we would not have been as successful. I think if any one of those angels along the way did not exist or were not supportive, the results may have been different. It was a very fulfilling experience, to say the least.

Following the election, I was appointed as a member of the Treasury/Federal Reserve Transition Team. I was the only Latina on any of the transition teams for all the economic agencies, and I never worked harder. The hours were long and the work was intense, as I managed all the external stakeholder outreach for the two agencies on behalf of the new administration. When I was recommended for a permanent appointment, I chose to pursue the position of Treasurer of the United States. I knew that there was no other agency where my work could have a greater impact, and I knew that since my career had focused primarily on jobs, housing and investment capital, that I would be poised to be a substantive contributor to the economic crisis and its recovery. The experience has been everything I have imagined and more, and it has been such an honor to work with such a brilliant team. The hours are still long and the work is still demanding, but I absolutely can’t imagine being anywhere else at the moment. I am the first Latina Treasurer to be appointed by a Democrat. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am proud to be part of a new generation of Latina leadership who will pave the way for others. And they will not have to take their journey alone.

By Rosie Rios,
Treasurer of the United States