District 11, one of the most diverse communities in Arizona, has been my home my entire life. I believe a legislator must maintain close contact with the community and must be available to the people at any time. From the devotion of time my mother, Ysabel Hernandez, spent at St. Catherine’s of Sienna Parish, to the time spent at American Legion Post 41, where my father Robert, a Korean War Veteran was a member, to my involvement in sports in the South Mountain Community, this community has always been there to support me in all my endeavors, and I look forward to giving back.
Raised in the Jorgenson neighborhood near Bishop Henry Barnwell’s Missionary Baptist Church where her athletic talents took her from all-star fame, to East High basketball and scholarship offers from South Mountain Community College and Arizona State University.
Miranda credits her sports experience for the development of strong leadership skills. “I learned when I need to be aggressive,” she explains, “and I learned when I should pull back. I discovered and honed my ability to take charge and lead a team.”
Experience:
- Senator Miranda represents Arizona Legislative District #27, covering downtown Phoenix, Laveen, South Mountain, and parts of Phoenix), where she daily champions the Latino/Hispanic issues.
- Catherine served 3 terms as Senator (2014 – to-date) and was Ranking member of the Education Committee. The Senator also sat on the Commerce and Public Safety Committee.
- Senator Miranda’s priorities are education (with special focus on Dream Act students), veterans, health, and immigration.
- Catherine is optimistic that the critical issues facing Arizona can be addressed by focusing on priorities and rejecting partisan distraction. That is why, when needed, she is not afraid to reach across the aisle in order to achieve results.
- Senator Miranda has become the beacon of education in the state. She is committed to improve the current level of education in Arizona and symbolizes support for all children. Catherine works hard daily for the rights of students, especially of those in low-income areas, the very same areas she represents.
- When a Senator she single-handedly struck down an anti-immigration intro-set, similar to SB-1070, before it became a bill and was the bridge to incorporate the business community to defeat such measure. Fighting this type of law and maintaining the good relationship between our two countries is another challenge daily faced by Catherine.
- In 2017, Senator Miranda founded the bipartisan Arizona Legislature Business/Education Forum aimed to guide the Business and Education communities to transform new technology into a new paradigm for education.
- Furthermore, she is co-founder of the new Manzana/TOCC (Tohono O’odham Community College) Phoenix Extension, the first college offering DACA recipients in-state tuition after the recent Program suspension by President Donald Trump.
- Prior to serving in the Arizona State Senate, Catherine served two terms as State Representative (from 2010 – 2014).
- The Senator is also co-founder of the Manzana Foundation, which helps students prepare for college. Catherine’s passion in education has given DACA recipient students an opportunity to continue their education at an affordable price through a partnership between the Manzana Foundation and the Navajo Technical College.
- In 2011, Catherine was appointed by State House Speaker Andy Tobin to the Education ad hoc Committee, where she was a key player in recommending an effective data system for the State of Arizona.
- Senator Miranda also co-chairs the Arizona/Sonora ad hoc Committee designed not only to encourage economic development in both regions but also to promote and maintain the good relationship between our two states.
- After graduating from college, Catherine taught at the Roosevelt School district and was later promoted to Assistant Principal.
- Catherine Miranda also served as Administrator for the Washington and Cartwright School Districts.
- In 2008, Catherine was elected by the widest margin to the Roosevelt School District Board (Roosevelt is the largest and oldest school district in the South Mountain community). between our two states.
Memberships:
- In 2017, Senator Miranda was appointed member of Legislative Advisory Committee of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a 16 members committee working collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all citizens of the West region of our nation.
- Among the Senator’s appointments is her seat on the Executive Committee of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), where she was named Chairwoman for the International Relations, Trade, and Immigration Task. She also served as Vice President for public policy with NHCSL. Senator Miranda also served on the Education Task Force Committee.
- The Senator has also served six years on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), the largest and oldest Latino elected officials’ organization in the United States.
Education:
B.A. in Elementary Education │ 2001 │ Arizona State University │ Phoenix Arizona
M.A.in Educational Leadership │ 2004 │ Northern Arizona University │ Flagstaff, Arizona.
Awards:
- Valle Del Sol Profiles of Success Exemplary Leadership Award (2017)
- NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership award 2017
- U.S. Term Limits Champion Award
- The John S. Martinez Excellence in Leadership Award
From the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (2013) - The Rio Salado President’s Award
For leadership and support of Arizona’s Adult Basic Education Programs (2014) - Champion of Education award 2017 Arizona School Administrators
- The Dream Act Award
For her support to Dreamers recipients in Arizona (2011) - The Arizona School Public Relations Association (Aspra) Award of Excellence To A Government Official
For her contributions to Pubic Education (2015) - League Of Arizona Cities and Towns Leadership Recognition (2017 & 2018)
- Laveen Elementary School Leader of Education Recognition Award (2017)
- Mujeres en Conexion award for community and women of Arizona 2018
- Arizona Public Universities Board of Regents Recognition (2016)
For her support to higher education in Arizona. - St. Thomas More Award 2018 Red Mass
- Best Democrat, Arizona Legislature (July, 2014)
ENDORSEMENTS
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"Catherine Miranda for Senate"
5412 W Ellis Dr
Laveen, AZ 85339
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