© Latinas in History 2008 |
ECHAVESTE,
MARÍA (1954 )
Echavestes
concern for the rights of workers led her to a political career. She
received a scholarship to Stanford University earning a B.A. degree
in 1976, and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in
1980. A corporate attorney, Echaveste worked with the New York City
Board of Elections and received recognition and awards for her achievements.
A Mexican American, Jewish woman, Echaveste headed presidential candidate,
William J. Clintons 1992 Latino outreach efforts. She roused Latino
support for Clinton in his second presidential election, 1997-2001,
and in 1998 was named Assistant to the President and Director of Public
Liaison. As such she held the highest White House position of any Latina.
Echaveste is the co-founder of a consulting firm in Washington, D.C.
called Nueva Vista and comments regularly on the political scene on
the PBS show To The Contrary.
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