By Karen Robes Meeks
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia recently honored Carmen Perez, the first Latino woman to be part of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, by presenting her with a key to the city.
Perez is known for her advocacy and deep community and political ties. She had a 12-year tenure on the commission, serving from 1991 to 2003. During that period, Gov. Gray Davis appointed her to the California World Trade Commission and she was also on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Coast Association of Port Authorities.
She was Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn’s Assistant Chief Deputy and vice chair for the Democratic National Party.
Perez is a founding member of the American Diabetes Association’s Long Beach Chapter, the Long Beach Mujeres Coalition and the founder and first president of the Long Beach Chicano Political Caucus, according to her Port of Long Beach bio.
