Today would have been the 115th birthday of Concha Ortiz y Pino. She was born on May 20,1910 and died at the age of 96 on September 30, 2006. The life of Concha Ortiz y Pino offers us valuable insight into nine decades of history, business, politics, culture, religion, civic service and the role of women. Her story begins in Spain in the 16th century and continues in the New World from the 17th century through the American Civil War, the Mexican American War and World War II. Her long life was always defined by service to others.

The Great Depression

Her political career began in 1933 when she was 21. She set out through rural New Mexico with Sen. Dennis Chávez as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential campaign, reaching out to Spanish-speaking voters in rural New Mexico, aiding in his election and the New Deal era, which helped bring an end to the Great Depression. Campaigning for Roosevelt whetted Concha’s appetite for politics and led to her lifelong advocacy for the poor and disabled. In 1941 she achieved the distinction of becoming the first female majority whip of a state legislature in the nation, elected to that position in the 15th New Mexico Legislature.

Presidential Appointments

Few New Mexicans can boast of selection to prominent national boards or commissions by five different presidents.  In Concha’s case, presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter thought so highly of her work as to include her on their presidential agendas.  Interestingly enough, her notoriety transcended party lines, as three Democrat and two Republican presidents appointed her.