Carmen Yulín Cruz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carmen Yulín Cruz
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| Mayor of San Juan | |
| In office January 14, 2013 – December 31, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Jorge Santini |
| Succeeded by | Miguel Romero |
| Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from the at-large district |
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| In office January 2, 2009 – January 1, 2013 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto
February 25, 1963 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic |
| Education | |
Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto (born February 25, 1963) is a Puerto Rican politician who served as mayor of the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico from 2013 to 2020. From 2009 through 2013, Cruz served in the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico.
Early years and studies
Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto was born on February 25, 1963, in San Juan to Carmen Irene Soto Molina from Lares and Pedro Cruz Vega. She has a brother named Pedro José Cruz. Cruz inherited the second part of her given name, Yulín, from her paternal grandmother, Lutgarda Vega. She graduated with honors from Julio Sellés Solá Elementary School and attended University of Puerto Rico Secondary School where she was president of the student council as well as a representative at a presidential youth summit.
Cruz earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Boston University on May 30, 1984, graduating Cum Laude. She completed a Master of Science in Public Management and Policy at the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University on May 12, 1986, where she became the first student to receive the Spirit Award (now called the Barbara Jenkins Award), given to a graduating student for service and contributions to the college and region.
Other activities
On February 21, 2019, Cruz announced that she was joining Senator Bernie Sanders' Presidential campaign as one of its four national co-chairs.
2021 Mount Holyoke College - Harriet L. Weissman and Paul M. Weissman Distinguished Fellow in Leadership
Awards
Cruz has received numerous recognitions and awards, including the Martin Luther King Centre Justice, Peace and Freedom Award and Humanitarian Leadership Award in 2018, the Antonio Villaraigosa Leadership Award in 2018, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Humanitarian Award 2017, and the Puerto Rico Arts Alliance Felisa Rincón Legacy Public Service Award. She was also nominated by People en Español as one of the 50 most Powerful Women in 2017, and Time magazine chose her as candidate for Person of the Year recognition in 2017. In 2018, she was on the Time list of the 100 most Influential People in the World for her leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. She has also received the prestigious Ridenhour Truth-Telling Award, as well as Casa de Esperanza's Award for Inspirational leadership, the Hank Aaron Champion of Justice Award, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Award for Economic Justice. In 2018, she was named to Essence magazine's Woke 100 Women list.
Personal life
Cruz married psychologist and University of Sacred Heart professor Alfredo Carrasquillo on September 25, 2010, three months after their relationship started. They divorced a year later, but remarried in 2013 and divorced again in 2017. Cruz has a daughter, Marina Yulín Paul Cruz, from a previous marriage.
