DU Alumna Is Colorado’s First Latina Speaker
Crisanta Duran is helping Colorado build for the future
“There is nothing more powerful than when people come together 和 make change in their communities.”
That’s exactly what drives University of Denver alumna Crisanta Duran (BA ’02, 公共事务及西班牙语). The 36-year-old ran for office when she was only 29, 现在七年过去了, she is the first Latina speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives.
Duran represents House District 5 in Denver. She decided to get involved in politics because she felt there were issues in her community that were not being represented at the capitol. Duran says her degree in Spanish helps her better communicate with people in her neighborhood, 尤其是在她竞选公职的时候. 她在公共政策方面的背景, 与此同时, has helped her work with differing viewpoints at the capitol.
“I, of course, had my own perspective on issues,杜兰说. “But one thing I would say that I took away from those public policy courses was how to be a critical thinker 和 think about issues 和 how different people perceive them 和 what is the best way for people to come together 和 problem-solve.”
Duran encourages everyone to take an active role in the political process, especially young people. She says whether it is running for office or engaging in a community effort, everyone can have an impact on the issues they believe in.