OMLO proudly celebrates Women’s History Month during the month of March. As we draw inspiration from the countless women who are helping to advance equality and justice in California, across the country, and around the world, we are honored to highlight the significant achievements of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, who recently retired from a decades-long career in public service as the U.S. House Representative for California’s 33rd (1993–2003), 34th (2003–2013), and 40th (2013–2023) districts. In addition to the Congresswoman’s historic career, she is the mother of OMLO’s founding and managing partner, Rick R. Olivarez.
Lucille Roybal-Allard served in Congress for 30 years and retired in 2023. Her impressive tenure included many firsts, such as being the first democratic Mexican-American woman elected to Congress, the first Latina to serve as one of the 12 “cardinals,” or chairs, of a House Appropriations Subcommittee, and the first Latina to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. She is also the first woman to chair the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; the first woman to chair the California Democratic congressional delegation; and the founder of the Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform.
Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s incredible efforts and commitment to her constituents helped pass legislation that supported her communities and brought jobs and funds into the LA area. As a champion for children and underrepresented groups, she also introduced many bills to better the lives of children around the country, such as the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) Act, the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act), and the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act. She also co-authored the Dream Act, initially introduced in 2001, a bill aimed at providing a legal pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers,” or those who were brought to the U.S. as children but lacked legal immigration status.
In joining the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard followed in the footsteps of her father and Rick’s grandfather, Edward R. Roybal, a Democrat who also served in the House for 30 years and co-founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Congressman Roybal is known to this day for being one of the most influential Latino politicians on Capitol Hill. The Roybal family’s lasting legacy of lifting up those who need it most is one that OMLO is proud to carry on today through our work on behalf of the institutions and public agencies we serve.