Anna Irma Rivera Lassén, an Afro-Puerto Rican attorney and current member of the Puerto Rican Senate, brings a distinguished record of advocacy and leadership to her role. Born on March 13, 1955, in Santurce, San Juan, Anna’s upbringing was influenced by her parents, both educators, fostering her early engagement with feminism and activism. She pursued higher education at the University of Puerto Rico, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in general humanities before obtaining her law degree.
Throughout her career, Anna has been a steadfast champion for human rights, particularly focusing on issues of discrimination, gender violence, and socio-economic rights. Her commitment to justice was exemplified in her successful challenge against discriminatory courtroom attire rules in the 1980s, setting a precedent for gender equality. Her expertise and advocacy have garnered recognition from prestigious organizations, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Anna’s leadership extends beyond legal circles. From 2012 to 2014, she was the head of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico, making history as the first Afro-Puerto Rican and openly lesbian individual to hold the position. Her tenure was marked by significant advancements in promoting gender equality and access to justice. Additionally, Anna has contributed to the legislative process, actively participating in assessments of bills aimed at advancing human rights protections in Puerto Rico.
Her impact and dedication have been acknowledged through numerous awards and honors, including the “Medalla Senatorial Capetillo-Roqué” from the Puerto Rican Senate and the “Martin Luther King/Arturo Alfonso Schomburg Prize.” Notably, Anna was recognized as one of USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2023, further underscoring her influential contributions to society.
In March 2024, Anna was selected as the candidate for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in Washington DC by the Citizen Victory Movement (CVM), demonstrating her continued commitment to public service and advocacy on behalf of the Puerto Rican people.