Lydia Hernandez

I am a resident of Maryvale community, mother of three children that attend the Cartwright school district. I am deeply vested in my community and serve on several city and community boards ranging from the City of Phoenix Village Planning Committee, Weed and Seed, YMCA and the Cartwright School Governing Board. I have devoted the last 25 years of my life in engaging communities in pubic conversation over issues that impact their lives.  Being a former leader of Valley Interfaith Project (Phoenix, AZ) and a believer and follower of Saul Alinsky’s model of organizing,  a concept that I have enveloped myself with, I have worked at empowering community members to take control over their lives for the betterment of their families wellbeing.  Through the concept of individual and house meetings, I continue to learn about the pressures which confront our families, especially minorities and the working class.  I am deeply honored to serve as Legislative District 13 Democratic Chair, a position that I don’t take lightly, as I am very passionate about engaging in public discourse in order to question and challenge our current state of political affairs in Arizona.

Community Involvement:

• Legislative District 13 Democrats-Chair, 2009-2010
• Cartwright School District Governing Board- Board Clerk 2007-2008
• Cartwright School District Governing Board Member- 2002-2008
• City of Phoenix; Maryvale Village Planning Committee-Board Member
• City of Phoenix- West Phoenix Metro Light Rail Committee
• City of Phoenix Chief of Police- Hispanic Advisory Board Member
• Maryvale Weed and Seed- Steering Committee Member
• Maryvale Weed and Seed-Law Enforcement Sub Committee
• Maryvale Weed and Seed- Neighborhood Preservation Sub Committee
• Maryvale YMCA-Board Member
• West Phoenix Revitalization
• Maryvale Partnerships in Action-Steering Committee Member
• Maryvale Adolescent Providers Partnership- Co-Chair
• Maryvale; Pride Neighborhood Association Board Member
• Maryvale Block Watch Village Alliance-Member
• Native American Community Organizing Project -Founding Board Member
• Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) – Member
• Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) - Racial Isolation Task Force
• National School Board; Tri-Caucus- Latino Representative
• National Association of Latino Elected Officials, (N.A.L.E.O.)-Member
• AZ Coalition for Migrant Rights (Founding Board Member)
• Justine Spitalny- Parent Student Organization-Member
• Mexico Secretary of Relations Abroad; Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME)- Advisory Board Member (Bi-national)- 2003-2005, 2009-2011