Irma Valdez sees herself as a role model to Latino students showing them that anything is possible. She was born in a small village in Michoacán, Mexico and when her parents came to work in the strawberry fields in California when she was three, her and her sisters spent several years in a migrant camp where they suffered much discrimination. To have a more stable life and an education for their children, her parents decided to move to Chicago to work in the factories. They lived in the low income Pilsen/Little Village Neighborhood which was a predominantly Mexican community where gangs, violence and drugs were commonplace. Valdez’s dad had lost three fingers in his right hand from a factory accident which led to her mother having to support their family of six with 2 to 3 jobs.
Despite growing up in a poverty stricken, dangerous neighborhood, she didn’t let that get in the way of success and after graduating high school Valdez went on to attend Brown University where she earned a degree in Latino Studies. Upon graduation she moved back to Chicago to be with her family and attended Law school. She then began her legal career for the City of Chicago and also met her husband Steve Yarosh. A few years later they moved to Washington D.C. to work for the Department of Justice where she taught the U.S. Justice System to judges and attorneys in other nations.
For the past 11 years Valdez has resided in Portland where she works as an attorney specializing in Immigration law. In addition to her legal work she also works with public service and has served for the past five years as a Commissioner for the City of Portland Planning Commission. Valdez was also the founder of the non-profit organization “Latino Home Initiative” which helps working class families become homeowners. Her involvement in community service allows her to be able to give back to the greater Oregon community and she hopes that it helps young Latinos to see her as a role model and believe that is she can succeed, they can too. This attitude also goes along with Valdez’s motivation which is that life can be anything you want it to be, you just have to try.
Valdez lives with her husband and 9 year old son and she loves that they all share the same beliefs, and value helping the community. Her hobbies include reading, sewing and knitting as well as being a motivational speaker and a mentor for her community. When asked about her greatest accomplishment, her response was that every day we can accomplish more. Valdez believes that giving the community hope and happiness is her greatest wish of all.