Karen Alzate (born December 26, 1987) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 60.

Early life and education

Alzate was born on December 26, 1987, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.^[1] As a first-generation American, she graduated from Tolman High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Rhode Island College. Following this, she earned her Master's degree in Community Development at the Roger Williams University School of Continuing Studies.^[2] She also participated on the New Leader's Council for two years, a non-profit organization that promotes, trains and recruits progressive leaders.^[3]

Career

Alzate was officially sworn into the Rhode Island House of Representatives on January 1, 2019^[4] and subsequently appointed to the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee, the House Labor Committee, and the House Special Legislation Committee.^[5] During her first year in office, Alzate introduced a bill to create a commission to encourage more persons of color to enter education careers^[6][7] which held its first meeting on November 19.^[8] She also co-sponsored the Reproductive Privacy Act and oversaw legislation that moves the date of primaries to the eighth Tuesday preceding biennial state elections.^[1]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alzate was named to the coronavirus vaccine distribution task force led by Raymond Hull.^[9] In this role, she advocated for a prioritizion to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine for communities of color.^[10]

References

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