Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Laura Harring, first Latina to win Miss USA

Laura Elena Harring Martinez, born March 3, 1964 in Los Mochis, Mexico, is the first Latina to win Miss USA.  She grew up in Mexico before she and her family relocated to San Antonio, Texas when she was ten.  At twelve, she suffered a head injury when she was caught in a crossfire from a driveby shooting at twelve.

After studying theater and dance in Europe, she moved to El Paso and began competing in beauty pageants.  She won Miss El Paso USA, Miss Texas USA, and then Miss USA 1985 becoming the first Hispanic woman to do so.  

She went on to have a successful acting career, most notable is her role as Rita in Mulholland Drive.

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Annie Menz, first Latina elected to Oklahoma House of Representatives

Annie Menz became the first Latina elected to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives January 2023.  She is a Democrat representing District 43 which covers parts of Norman, south of Oklahoma City. Her mother is an immigrant, and her grandparents came from Mexico.  Her grandfather was a US Army veteran that served in WWII. 

Mezn and Jessica Garvin (first Latina elected to Oklahoma State Senate) will serve on the Latino Caucus, which has been established to focus on issues that affect Oklahoma Latinos.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Catherine Cortez Masto, first Latina US Senator

Catherine Cortez Masto, born March 29, 1964 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the first Latina to serve as US Senator and the first woman to represent Nevada in the senate.

She narrowly defeated her Republican challenger to replace the outgoing Democratic Senator.  She took office in January 2017.