Maria Peralta
Washington, DC | Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Maria Peralta drives the political strategy for one of the most powerful unions in the country, a league of workers and activists that press for issues for everyday people. Her family was among the first Latinos to integrate a white working class neighborhood in the Bronx, an experience that taught her resilience, a respect for diversity and the power of solidarity among marginalized people. As a result, she refuses to accept an economy that only works for wealthy people while leaving low-wage workers behind. She is the national political director at Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and oversees the program dedicated to building political power to improve the lives of SEIU’s 2 million members and their families. But Maria’s work has an impact on everyone, whether they are a union member or not. She knows that good jobs, decent wages, humane immigration policies and healthcare are among the most important issues in our country and says candidates will need to meaningfully engage voters on these topics to convince them to show up at the polls.
SEIU’s strategy for next year includes working with a multiracial group of partners to invest early in voters of color through face-to-face conversations and texting while also challenging candidates to provide economic solutions which benefit working people, including the right to join unions.
What is the song you will listen to on repeat in 2020?
“Somos Sur by Ana Tijoux.”
What are you reading right now?
“Organized Money by Keith Mestrich and Mark Pinsky.”
Who is your plus one?
“My plus one is Fight for 15 and a Union leader, Gail Rogers. She is a crew leader at a McDonald's in Tampa, Florida. Since joining this movement over six years ago, she has gone on strike, encouraged members of Congress to support the Raise the Wage Act and Protecting the Right to Organize Act and has even stood before 2020 presidential candidates to ask them how they would ensure that all working people can join unions.”
Join the Movement
She the People is creating a politics we have not yet seen, one grounded in love, justice, and belonging. Join women of color across the country in making our voice and votes matter in 2020 and beyond. Are you ready?