Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS (at the Alma Awards 2012 www.hispaniclifestyle.com)

Janet Murguía
President and CEO UnidosUS

Janet Murguía became president and CEO of UnidosUS, formerly the National Council of La Raza, on January 1, 2005. It is the largest civil rights advocacy organization for the Latin community. She testifies before Congress about issues that affect Latinos. This can include educational and healthcare issues, immigration reform and the economy.

She grew up in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas. Her father worked at the steel plant, and her mother stayed home with their seven children. Murguía says her parents instilled in the children the belief they could achieve anything they set their hearts to. Four of the children are lawyers, including Janet. Murguía worked in President Clinton’s administration and was proud to usher her parents to the Oval Office to meet the president.

A definitive advocate to promote Latino issues and strengthen the Latino voice, she is on several boards and has received numerous awards. Including:

• One of  Forbes 50 Over 50
• In 2022 one of USA Today‘s Women of the Year, which recognizes women who have made a significant impact.
• One of  Washingtonian magazine’s “Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women”
• People en Español’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics”
• One of Hispanic Business magazine’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics”

Bio: 

• Born –  September 6, 1960 in Kansas City, Kansas
• Twin sister, Mary Murguía
• 1982 – bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish, University of Kansas at Lawrence
• 1985 – doctorate in law, school of Law, University of Kansas
• 2011 – honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from California State University Dominguez Hills

Career:

• Began her career as legislative counsel to former Kansas Congressman Jim Slattery
• 1994-2000 – at the White House, ultimately serving as deputy assistant to President Clinton
• 2000 – Deputy campaign manager and director  of constituency outreach for Al Gore’s
  Presidential campaign
• 2001 – Executive Vice Chancellor for University Relations at University of Kansas
• 2005-present  –  President and CEO of UnidosUS, formerly La Raza

Personal life:

• Married to Mauro Morales, staff director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
• No information about children the couple may have

Further information:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoXZbTtPRJk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWiMRoOElrw
https://nul.org/basic-page/janet-murguia

 My ebooks available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com:
Honoring 23 Black Women, Recognizing 23 Notable Mothers