Victoria Muñoz Mendoza
Encyclopedia
Victoria "Melo" Muñoz Mendoza (born Dec. 24, 1940) is a former politician
from Puerto Rico
. She is the daughter of the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marín
, founder of the Popular Democratic Party
and his second wife, Inés Mendoza
. Muñoz Mendoza was the first woman in Puerto Rican history to seek the office of Governor of Puerto Rico
.
in San Juan
. She went to the University of Puerto Rico
, where she received a degree in Literature
in 1958.
of San Juan. In 1986, she was chosen to replace a senator in the Senate of Puerto Rico
. She held the seat for seven years, after having been re-elected in 1988.
In 1992, she became the first woman to seek the governorship of Puerto Rico. She faced Pedro Rosselló
of the New Progressive Party
and ended up losing by a landslide. She retired from politics soon after her electoral defeat.
In 2000, Sila María Calderón
was elected Governor of Puerto Rico, becoming the first woman to do so. Muñoz Mendoza vigorously campaigned and endorsed her, fulfilling her dream of having a female Governor.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. She is the daughter of the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marín
Luis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
, founder of the Popular Democratic Party
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
and his second wife, Inés Mendoza
Inés Mendoza
Inés María Mendoza Rivera de Muñoz Marín , was a former First Lady of Puerto Rico, teacher, writer and socialite. She was the second wife of Governor Luis Muñoz Marín.-Biography:...
. Muñoz Mendoza was the first woman in Puerto Rican history to seek the office of Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
.
Education
Muñoz attended high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. She went to the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
, where she received a degree in Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
in 1958.
Political career
Muñoz Mendoza first went into active in politics in 1984 when she made an unsuccessful bid to become MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of San Juan. In 1986, she was chosen to replace a senator in the Senate of Puerto Rico
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
. She held the seat for seven years, after having been re-elected in 1988.
In 1992, she became the first woman to seek the governorship of Puerto Rico. She faced Pedro Rosselló
Pedro Rosselló
Pedro Juan Rosselló González, M.D., , is a Puerto Rican physician and politician who served as the sixth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001...
of the New Progressive Party
New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
The New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that advocates for Puerto Rico's admission to the United States of America as the 51st state...
and ended up losing by a landslide. She retired from politics soon after her electoral defeat.
In 2000, Sila María Calderón
Sila María Calderón
Sila María Calderón Serra is a Puerto Rican politician and businesswoman who served as the seventh Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2005. She is the first and, to date, only woman elected to that office...
was elected Governor of Puerto Rico, becoming the first woman to do so. Muñoz Mendoza vigorously campaigned and endorsed her, fulfilling her dream of having a female Governor.