Women’s Pipeline for Change Research Fellow

Gladys Lebrón-Martínez

About this Project

Gladys Lebrón-Martínez's project aimed to document and analyze the resources that exist and are utilized by women of color, especially Latinas, running for elected office in Western Massachusetts. Lebrón-Martínez recruited nine Latinas from Western Massachusetts who ran for political office during the last four decades to participate in a focus group to share their experiences of running for elected office. She identified the importance of networks and mentors; financial, emotional, and community support; and leadership pipelines to advance the political leadership of women of color in this region of the Commonwealth. The English and Spanish videos here as well as the summary and presentation included below offer more detail about Lebrón-Martínez’s project, findings, and recommendations.

About Gladys Lebrón-Martínez

Councilwoman Gladys Lebrón-Martínez is a respected woman of color leader recognized for fostering the civic engagement and responsibility needed to expand opportunities for her community. She provided exemplary service to her community of Holyoke as an elected School Committee member from 2003-2011. In 2011, she ran a successful campaign moving up the political pipeline to represent Ward 1 on the Holyoke City Council. Continue reading about Gladys Lebrón-Martínez...

To learn more and view videos about Gladys Lebrón-Martínez and this project, click here.