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Sen. Lena Gonzalez

California State Senator

Lena Gonzalez

Senator Lena Gonzalez proudly represents one million residents in California’s 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Southeast Los Angeles, the City and Port of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Catalina Island. As Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, she plays a key role in supporting legislative leadership and is a dedicated advocate on the critical issues impacting Californians.

Senator Gonzalez has led on major policies, including Broadband for All, clean transportation incentives, and expanding paid sick leave. She is also the author of the Abortion Accessibility Act to remove barriers to care and SB 1137 to protect communities from pollution and end neighborhood oil drilling.

Before joining the Senate, Senator Gonzalez served on the Long Beach City Council, where she championed various local policies focused on labor rights, supporting local businesses, sustainability, and innovation. One of her proudest achievements was the Digital Inclusion Roadmap, which has received national recognition for its collaborative and equitable approach. She also worked at Microsoft, leading social impact programs and key data initiatives on the future of work and criminal justice-related projects.

Senator Gonzalez holds a BA in Political Science from Cal State Long Beach and an Executive MBA from Loyola Marymount University. She’s incredibly proud to be the daughter of a hardworking union truck driver and devoted father, and a brave, resilient mother who immigrated from Mexico. Senator Gonzalez resides in Long Beach with her family.

Panel Information

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE - Democracy Looks Like This

2:00 PM

This session brings together a powerhouse panel to tackle the real and often overlooked challenges Latinas face in civic life—from navigating voter suppression and language barriers to the uphill battles of fundraising, campaigning, and being heard in rooms where decisions are made. The 2024 raids on LULAC abuelitas in Texas exposed just how threatened the system feels by Latina political power. These panelists don’t just understand the struggle—they’re leading through it. When Latinas vote, run, and lead, they turn lived experience into political force—ensuring our democracy doesn’t just include them, but is shaped by them.