garciazmaria

María Garcíaz was reared in a household of seven siblings by a single mother in Salt Lake City, Utah. While in high school she became a Chicana activist and committed to helping others, who like herself, searched for inclusion in the system. A short career as a probation officer following a successful college experience wherein she completed a B.A. degree led to volunteer work with the Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Service in 1982. Garcíaz became the organization’s director eight years later. Her experience with Latino youth and causes would serve her well as the city’s Spanish speaking population increased dramatically from the 1970s to 2000.