Michelle Tremillo
San Antonio, Texas | Texas Organizing Project
A fourth-generation Texan, you might catch Michelle dancing to the sounds of Selena Quintanilla for inspiration as she’s changing the political game in Texas in places like Harris County, the most diverse county in the country. Michelle’s work is driven by a desire to make her state a place where Latino and Black families prosper. She watched her mother struggle to provide for her family, often working multiple low-wage jobs and living in public housing. Michelle carries this experience with her each day as she fights for better living conditions and a democracy that works for all Texans.
She is the executive director and co-founder of Texas Organizing Project, a membership-based organization that trains organizers and works to engage infrequent voters who are predominantly women and people of color. Their work is year-round as they fight with communities to ensure policies that create jobs, fair wages, access to quality education and protect immigrants. In 2020, Texas Organizing Project plans to make face-to-face contact with 1 million unlikely Black and Brown voters in four counties through home visits and turn new voters into regular voters.
What is the song you will listen to on repeat in 2020?
“I often listen to my fellow Tejana, Selena, on repeat. She broke so many barriers in her career and has always been such an inspiration to me. I also just yesterday heard “Bigger” by Beyonce on the Lion King soundtrack, and I can’t stop playing it. It might just be my theme song in 2020!”
What are you reading right now?
“Right now, I’m reading Democracy in Chains by Nancy MacLean and The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory.”
Who is your plus one?
“Brianna Brown is so much more than my plus one. As TOP’s Deputy Director, she works tirelessly to build Black and Latino power to transform Texas. Her sense of purpose is deeply grounded in her history as a 4th generation Texan and her commitment to racial justice. She recently became a mother and is more determined than ever to leave behind a better state and country for her daughter.”
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?