Member Ana Blanco: Building a Stronger Central Valley

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, SEIU Local 1000’s Latin@ Committee is engaged in the fight for justice for the underserved and marginalized communities that live in the shadows yet contribute so much to our country and culture. The achievements of Latino leaders, both past and present, is a template to remind us that we have more work to do.

One of the people leading the way in this struggle for justice in the Central Valley is Ana Blanco, a SEIU Local 1000 member employed with the California Department of Health Care Services. Ana is also currently running as a candidate for the Tracy Unified School District’s Board.

A University of the Pacific graduate, Ana has spent the last 20 years committed to bringing after-school programs, reading and math tutoring with migrant, monolingual students, and violence prevention and intervention services to the diverse community at Tracy Unified public schools. Additionally, she worked with the newly established SJC Family Justice Center to oversee the implementation of the county’s first diversion program for victims of human trafficking. Today, she serves as a board member for the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Ana’s race for the Tracy Unified School District’s Board has five other challengers running for the seats vacated by the three board members whose terms have expired. Her race brings union values and a strong sense of racial justice to schools that need it the most, at a critical time for education across the country.  Alongside the union and the Latino community, workers from across our beautiful state empower leaders like Ana to help us fight for a California for All.