The Oklahoma Hispanic Institute recently named Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, as one of their “Top 40 Oklahoma Hispanic Leader” Award recipients.
The Duncan Republican was the first Hispanic woman ever elected to the Oklahoma Legislature, an honor she does not take lightly.
“I’m so proud of my Hispanic heritage. My dad’s parents immigrated from Mexico and he was born in the U.S. but he spent many of his childhood summers in Mexico and we still have a lot of family who live there,” Garvin said. “Being the first Hispanic female in Oklahoma history elected to the state Legislature and being celebrated for the work I have done in that capacity means a lot to me because I know my grandparents sacrificed so much to give their children and future grandchildren a better life. For me, it validates my grandparents’ American Dream and everything they worked so hard for throughout their lives.”
This was the first year for the award, and Institute Chairman Fred Mendoza said he was thrilled with the strong representation of Hispanic leaders throughout Oklahoma.
