Sheila Lopez facts for kids

Sheila Lopez (born c. 1974) is an American electrical engineer and a strong supporter of equal rights for all people. She helped start and leads the Native American PFLAG group in Phoenix, Arizona.

About Sheila Lopez

Early Life and Education

Sheila Lopez was born around 1974 in Winslow, Arizona. Her mother was from the Navajo nation, and her father was from Winslow. Sheila has three children named Samantha, Emanuel, and Matthew. Her grandfather on her mother's side was a traditional healer.

Sheila went to Northern Arizona University and earned a degree in electrical engineering. After college, she started working at HP Inc. as an engineer. She worked on testing software and making computer parts. Later, she joined Intel, where she helps manage programs for veterans and for people who identify as LGBTQ.

Helping Her Community

Sheila Lopez joined PFLAG in 2009. She joined because her two oldest children, Samantha and Emanuel, identified as LGBTQ. In June 2011, she was the first person in the United States to open a PFLAG group specifically for Native Americans.

In 2015, Sheila received a special award called the VH1 Trailblazer Honors for her work in supporting equal rights for all people. In 2019, she helped organize the first pow wow in Phoenix for Native American people who identify as LGBTQ and two-spirit. She also won the 2019 American Indian Science and Engineering Society Blazing Flame award.

In 2020, the Native PFLAG Chapter closed. Sheila said it was because they did not have enough money or people to help. Before it closed, the Native PFLAG Chapter gave $14,000 to the Phoenix Indian Center. This donation helped make sure that pow wows could continue to be held.

Even after the chapter closed, Sheila Lopez continued to be a dedicated supporter of Native American people who identify as LGBTQ+. At a pow wow in 2023, she was still seen as a very important advocate for this community.