Carmen E. Arroyo

Carmen E. Arroyo (born 1936) is the first Puerto Rican and Hispanic woman elected to the New York State Assembly. She was also first female of Puerto Rican descent housing developer in the State of New York.

Early years

Arroyo was born and raised in the town of in Corozal, Puerto Rico where she received both her primary and secondary education. She graduated from Corozal High School and then attended the Sixto Febus Business School where she took Secretarial and Bookeeping courses and earned a diploma. She married Pablo Arroyo and together they had seven children; she was eventually abandoned by her husband and she then decided to move to the United States. [http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=084&sh=bio Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo] ]

In 1964, Arroyo moved to New York City with her children and settled down in the borough of the Bronx. While the idea of the move to the United States was a search for a better way of life she was soon faced with racial discrimination and other hardships. Arroyo became depended on the welfare and public assistance systems of the state. [http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=084&sh=bio Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo] ]

Arroyo took classes in English and attended the Eugenio María de Hostos Community College (a division of the University of New York) where in 1978 she earned her Associate of Arts degree. Arroyo studied at night and worked during the day while she attended the College of New Rochelle. She earned her Bachelor's of Arts degree from said educational institution in 1980.

First female Puerto Rican housing developer

Arroyo organized a group of welfare recipients and formed the South Bronx Action Group in 1966. She became the group's executive director and with the federal funds which the group received she was able to provide the community with services in employment, health and adult education. She was also instrumental in the construction of 194 housing units for senior citizens after she became the first female of Puerto Rican descent housing developer in New York State. [http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=084&sh=bio Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo] ]

New York State Assembly

In a special election held in February, 1994, Arroyo ran and was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the 84th District which includes the Bronx and thus became the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the Assembly and the first Puerto Rican woman elected to any state assembly in the United States. Among the committees which she has been assigned to are those on: [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E4DF153DF934A25753C1A9649C8B63 Assemblywoman Wins in Bronx In Second Democratic Primary] ]

*Alcoholism and Drug Abuse;
*Children and Families; and
*Education and Aging committees.

Arroyo has also been involved with:
*The Puerto Rican Senate/Hispanic Task Force,
*The Black and Puerto Rican Cacus,
*The Women's Cacus,
*The National Order of Women Legislatures, and
*The New York City Commission on the Status of Women.

Arroyo's daughter, Maria del Carmen Arroyo has followed in her mother's footsteps and ran for a seat in New Yorks City Council and was sworn in on March 21, 2005 representing District 17 of the Bronx. [ [http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaign2005/17 City Council District 17] ] On April 23, 2004, New York State Governor George E. Pataki presented Arroyo with the Champions of Housing Award in a reception held in Albany, New York.

Currently

Carmen Arroyo currently continues to hold her political position and has published her autobiography titled "Carmen Arroyo: Puertorriqueña en Nueva York, mujer de armas tomadas" (Carmen Arroyo: Puerto Rican Female in New York). She also published a book of poems titled "Mis Poemas" (My Poems). [http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=084&sh=bio Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo] ] Assemblywoman Arroyo currently serves as Chair of the Sub-Committee on the Effective Treatment of Alcholism and Drug Additiction, Chair of the Sub-Committee on Bilingual Education and Chair of the Assembly and Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.

References

ee also

*List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

* [http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=084 New York State Assembly Member Website]
* [http://www.politicsnationwide.com/profile.asp?ID=4662 Assemblymember Carmen E. Arroyo]
###@@@KEY@@@###