is the Executive Director at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, the only national reproductive justice organization that specifically works to advance reproductive health and rights for Latinas. She has been a leader in progressive movements or over 15 years. Jessica is successfully forging connections between reproductive health, gender, immigration, LGBTQ liberation, labor and Latino civil rights, breaking down barriers between movements and building a strong Latina grassroots presence.
Jessica is a strong voice for Latinas and a regular presence in national and local media outlets. She was honored by El Diario/La Prensa, the nation’s oldest and largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States, as one of 2009’s “Mujeres Destacadas” (Women of Honor). She is regular contributor to El Diario/La Presa, RH Reality Checkand Huffington Post on pressing reproductive health issues in the Latina community, as well as regular media voice in local and national outlets such as MSNBC’s Melissa Harris Perry Show, News Nation,National Public Radio, the Bill Moyers Show, the Daily Beast, the Boston Globe, The New York Times and Fox News Latino. Jessica was honored in Latina Magazine as one f the “10 Most Inspiring Latina Activists” and Cosmo for Latinas as a “Fun, Fearless Latina” in 2014, was recognized on Cosmopolitan’s “2013 Power List” in the October 2013 issue, has been named one of “13 Women of Color to Watch in 2013” by the Center for American Progress and was honored as a “Champion for Choice” by the National Council of Jewish Women…
Jessica is a long-time leader in community and electoral politics. She was elected to the New York State Democratic Committee for the 39th Assembly District from 2002-2006, representing the diverse communities of Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst and Woodside…
Jessica has held leadership roles in numerous local and national organizations that promote social justice advocacy. For 11 years, she served on the Board of Directors of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), a New York City-based non-profit whose mission is to ensure that immigrants can build social, political and economic power…
Jessica is an Adjunct Professor of Latino and Latin American Studies at the City University of New York’s City College and has taught courses on reproductive rights, gender and sexuality…
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Rights
