Mayor Tom Barrett Appointed Carmen C. Cabrera, The First Latina Election Commissioner For The City Of Milwaukee

The City of Milwaukee Election Commission has confirmed that Carmen C. Cabrera, a long time community activist has been appointed as Election Commissioner.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 27, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Neil V. Albrecht, the Director for the City of Milwaukee Election Commission confirmed that Carmen C. Cabrera, a Democrat was appointed by Mayor Tom Barrett as the first Latina Election Commissioner in Milwaukee's history. Cabrera is well known for her community activism and was instrumental along with 500 other educational activists in the 1970's to break down the wall of discrimination in many areas including at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where on August 27, 1970, members of the Latino community took over the chancellor's office seeking education opportunities for Latinos. In 1970, UW-Milwaukee only had about 14 Latino students compared to 25,000 White students and discrimination that kept Latinos from enrolling was the norm. Cabrera, of Puerto Rican decent was instrumental in bridging a network between the Puerto Rican and Mexican community to work together and her activisim along with other activists in both communities including the undocumented community in the 1970's led to changes in education policies and other successful strives and opportunities for Latinos in the Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin.

Two other Board of Election Commissioners were confirmed as well on Wednesday and they are Stephenie D. Findley, Chair, Democrat and Robert F. Spindell Jr., a Republican.

The terms for Cabrera, Findley and Spindell Jr. run from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021, according to Albrecht. The Board of Election Commission website in the City of Milwaukee was updated this week to reflect the current Commissioners.