Today we’d like to introduce you to Dulce Vasquez.
Hi Dulce, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, a port city on the east coast of Mexico and home to several refineries. My grandparents raised me until I was seven when my mom brought me to the U.S. I remember that first day, particularly my first trip to McDonalds. I was in heaven! And I was undocumented. I didn’t realize it then and wouldn’t realize it for a while, but I spent seven more years being undocumented until my stepfather became a U.S. citizen, which enabled the rest of my family to become citizens too. I constantly think about all the things that had to go right in my life to get to where I am.
I excelled in school and received a full scholarship to Northwestern University, where I was confronted with the reality of the massive inequality that exists in this nation, especially when it comes to income and wealth. After graduation, I came to Los Angeles to run a nonprofit for nine years then pursued a passion of mine–higher education. A college degree is key to lifting people out of poverty, and putting my skill set and energy towards making college accessible and affordable is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. During that time, I decided to pursue a Masters at the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA where I earned my degree in Public Policy. Just as I was wrapping up my studies, the pandemic started and everything was upside down.
I was extremely frustrated at our city’s management of the pandemic, particularly the outreach to the Latino community. For so many, it was devastating. For parents like mine who had to continue working because they were deemed “essential.” For students who struggled to get online to learn with little or no broadband or equipment and simultaneously caring for younger siblings. And for grandparents– many of whom fell to COVID because they, like many Latinos, live in multigenerational homes which spread quickly due to tight living quarters and a high rate of transmission.
So I decided to do something about it. I decided to run for Los Angeles City Council in District 9.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I remember my first winter in Chicago. I didn’t own a coat so I just layered my clothes for warmth. During winter break, I picked up extra shifts at a restaurant to earn enough money to go back to school in January with a winter jacket.
I remember going to the ATM and seeing my balance of 87 cents.
I remember how much I wanted to work for the first Obama campaign when I graduated but couldn’t afford to pay my own way and volunteer while I waited for a paid position to open.
I remember frustrations and tears and a deep sense of loneliness and helplessness. My parents have always been supportive but they weren’t able to help or relate to what I was going through. As a first generation American, a first generation college student, and as the eldest daughter, I had no guidance, no blueprint, no roadmap to help me navigate the challenges I would face. This was an immense pressure, and I knew I had to just figure it out on my own.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m extremely proud of #TeamDulce. When we launched the campaign a year ago, I couldn’t have imagined it would look like what it does today. I have a vibrant team of dozens of dedicated volunteers who contribute their time, their talents, and their brains, all with the goal of changing our community. I’m constantly in awe.
We have built a progressive campaign centered around housing, transportation, and small business– but also public safety, clean streets, and climate change. We’re trying to serve a district that has the lowest average household income, the highest renter percentage, the lowest educational attainment, and the lowest average age of the city– not to mention the 95% of people of color that live here.
And our team LOOKS like the district. We’re advocating for programs and policies that we believe will make the deepest, fastest impact for our constituents. I’m excited to watch each one of them continue to grow and to see how we do in June!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have a really vivid memory of my mom and my aunt taking me to get toddler portraits done. I was in a cute yellow romper and I had white shoes and those little frilly white socks. But we lived on an unpaved dirt road and it had rained the night before so as we walked to the main road to catch a bus, I remember the two of them swinging me by my arms over the puddles. It’s such a joyful and calming memory.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: dulcevasquez.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/vasquezdulce
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DulceforLA/
- Twitter: twitter.com/vasquezdulce
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkyZ5ZV-omy19liHTX_aqkg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vasquezdulce
