Carmen E. Arroyo (born 1936 in Corozal, Puerto Rico) is the first Puerto Rican and Hispanic woman elected to the New York State Assembly. 1936 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Corozal is a municipality of Puerto Rico. ... Hispanic, as used in the United States, is one of several terms used to categorize native and naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent residents and temporary immigrants, whose background hail either from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America or the original settlers of the traditionally Spanish-held Southwestern United... The New York Legislature is the U.S. state of New Yorks legislative branch, seated at the states capital, Albany. ...

Carmen was raised and educated in the town of Corozal where she received her primary and secondary education. She graduated from the Corozal High School and then attended the Sixto Febus Business School where she took Secretarial and Bookeeping courses and obtained a diploma. She married Pablo Arroyo at a young age and together they had seven children. She was eventually abandoned by her husband and decided to move to the United States.

In 1964, Carmen immigrated to New York City with her children and settled down in the borough of the Bronx. She was in serach of a better way of life but, was soon faced the harsh reality of racial discrimination and other hardships. She found herself on welfare and seeking public assistance. 1964 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ... The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of United States. ...

Carmen took English classes and attended the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College (a division of the University of New York). She earned her Associate of Arts degree in 1978. In 1980, Carmen earned her Bachelor's of Arts degree from the College of New Rochelle. During this time she worked during the day and went to school during the night. Carmen organized other welfare recipientes and formed the South Bronx Action Group in 1966. She was the groups executive director and with the federal funds which the group received she was able to supply the community with services in employment, health and adult eduction. She was also instrumental in the construction of 194 housing units for senior citizens and became the first Puerto Rican woman housing developer in New York State. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Eugenio María de Hostos (1839-1903) born Río Cañas, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, was a Puerto Rican educator and independence advocate known as El Cuidadano de las Americas (The Citizen of the Americas). ... For universities with University of New York in their names, see City University of New York and State University of New York. ... Events January January 1 - The Copyright Act of 1976 takes effect, making sweeping changes to United States copyright law. ... 1980 is a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... The College of New Rochelle is a private Catholic college with its main campus located in New Rochelle, New York. ... 1966 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ...

In a special election held in February, 1994, Carmen ran and was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the 84th District which includes the Bronx. She thus, became the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the Assembly and the first Puerto Rican woman elected to any state assembly in the United States. Among the committees which she has been assigned to are the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Children and Families; and Education and Aging committees. 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ...

She has also been involved with the Puerto Rican Senate/Hispanic Task Force, The Black and Puerto Rican Cacus, The Women's Cacus, The National Order of Women Legislatures, and The New York City Commission on the Status of Women.

Carmen's daughter, Maria del Carmen Arroyo followed in her mother's footsteps. She ran for a seat in New Yorks City Council and was sworn in on March 21, 2005 representing District 17 of the Bronx. March 21 is the 80th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (81st in leap years). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On April 23, 2004, New York State Governor George E. Pataki presented Carmen with the Champions of Housing Award in a reception held in Albany, New York. April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... George Elmer Pataki (born June 24, 1945) is the current governor of the U.S. state of New York (since 1995). ... Albany is the capital of the state of New York in the United States of America. ...

Carmen Arroyo currently continues to hold her political position and has published her autobiography titled "Carmen Arroyo: Puertorriquña en Nueva York, Mujer de Armas Tomadas" (Carmen Arroyo: Puerto Rican Female in New York). She also published a book of poems titled "Mis Poemas" (My Poems).

See also

• list of famous Puerto Ricans