Velma Veloria
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Velma Veloria is a Filipino-American politician and labor organizer. She was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States in the early 1960s, settling in Seattle. She became involved in politics as a young woman and has been a tireless advocate for workers’ rights, human rights, and social justice.
Veloria served in the Washington State House of Representatives from 1993 to 2005, where she sponsored legislation on a range of issues, including domestic violence, hate crimes, affordable housing, and healthcare.
Before entering politics, Veloria was a union organizer with SEIU and worked as a nurse. She was involved in organizing Filipino and other immigrant workers, particularly those working in the healthcare industry, to fight for better wages and working conditions.
Veloria has also been involved in international solidarity work, particularly in support of the struggle for democracy and human rights in the Philippines. She has worked with organizations such as the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development.