Karen Alzate (born December 26, 1987) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 60.
Early life and education
Alzate was born on December 26, 1987, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.[1] As a first-generation American, she graduated from Tolman High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Rhode Island College. Following this, she earned her Master's degree in Community Development at the Roger Williams University School of Continuing Studies.[2] She also participated on the New Leader's Council for two years, a non-profit organization that promotes, trains and recruits progressive leaders.[3]
Career
Alzate was officially sworn into the Rhode Island House of Representatives on January 1, 2019[4] and subsequently appointed to the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee, the House Labor Committee, and the House Special Legislation Committee.[5] During her first year in office, Alzate introduced a bill to create a commission to encourage more persons of color to enter education careers[6][7] which held its first meeting on November 19.[8] She also co-sponsored the Reproductive Privacy Act and oversaw legislation that moves the date of primaries to the eighth Tuesday preceding biennial state elections.[1]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alzate was named to the coronavirus vaccine distribution task force led by Raymond Hull.[9] In this role, she advocated for a prioritizion to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine for communities of color.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Representative Karen Alzate". rilin.state.ri.us. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Alzate announces candidacy for House 60". valleybreeze.com. May 29, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Endorsed by newly minted Senator Cano, Karen Alzate announces run for House District 60". upriseri.com. May 25, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Alzate sworn into office as General Assembly convenes". rilin.state.ri.us. January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Alzate receives committee assignments". rilin.state.ri.us. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Alzate resolution that creates commission to encourage more persons of color to enter education careers passes House". rilin.state.ri.us. June 11, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Alzate introduces bill to create commission to encourage more persons of color to enter education careers". rilin.state.ri.us. March 3, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Rep. Alzate's commission to encourage more persons of color to enter education careers will hold first meeting on November 19". rilin.state.ri.us. November 15, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "RI House creates coronavirus vaccine distribution task force". wpri.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus seeks prioritized access to COVID-19 vaccine for communities of color". ilin.state.ri.us. December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2021.