06/17/2026
Congrats to Paulita Peña-Urenda on her graduation from Oregon Labor Candidate School!
Next up, from SEIU Local 503, Paulita Peña-Urenda!
Paulita Peña-Urenda is a 1st generation Mexican-American and Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas advocate, union leader, public speaker, fundraiser, and longtime public servant dedicated to advancing the rights of workers, Latinos, Disabled, Indigenous peoples, and underserved communities. Her work spans labor organizing, employee advocacy, public education, community engagement, leadership development, and public service. Throughout her career, she has championed workplace equity, civil rights, disability inclusion, and opportunities for Native and Latino communities while helping individuals navigate complex workplace, educational, and government systems. Her educational journey reflects a lifelong commitment to learning and service, having attended The Boyd School of Travel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon; Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon; Portland State University in Portland, Oregon; and Corban University in Salem, Oregon. Her studies include Hospitality and Tourism, Business Administration, Early Childhood Education with an ESL endorsement, General Psychology, Biblical Theology, and History.
Throughout her professional and volunteer leadership, Paula has focused on issues including Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights, labor history, workplace justice, whistleblower protections, immigration, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and leadership development for historically underrepresented communities. She serves in union leadership roles at the local, state, national, and international levels and is committed to ensuring Indigenous, Latino, Disabled and working-class voices are represented where decisions are made. Whether facilitating workshops, advocating for employees facing discrimination, organizing community initiatives, supporting future leaders, or preserving Indigenous labor history, Paulita approaches every effort with cultural pride, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to creating meaningful and lasting change for future generations.
