In honoring “Hispanic Heritage” month Woodland was honored to have one of its’ elected officials take time out of her busy voting day to stop by the center and speak to the students about her heritage, overcoming obstacles, and how she was able to be the first Latina elected to the Prince George’s County Council in 2014.

Council Member Taveras represents Adelphi, Avondale, Brentwood, Carole Highlands, Chillum, Cool Spring, Green Meadows, Hyattsville, Langley Park, Lewisdale, Mount Rainier, and North Brentwood all of which are cities in which Woodland students come from.

Council Member Taveras shared with the students that she is committed to providing better public schools, safer and cleaner streets and increased sustainable economic development for her constituents. She is a passionate and strong advocate for social justice issues, seeking to improve the lives of working families and diverse communities.

Council Member Taveras has over 15 years of experience as a policy analyst within local, state and federal government, as well as international financial institutions such as the World Bank.

“The Councilwoman and I go way back from our days of both serving for various elected officials. I am thrilled that she thinks enough of Woodland to take us under her wing and have a candid conversation with these young people about not being a product of your environment. Instead of dwelling on what you don’t have look at what you have do have and keep pushing forward,” stated Ms. Jobina Brown, BCL for Woodland Job Corps.

Taveras holds a dual Master’s in public affairs and urban regional planning from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School, a Masters from the University of Utah, and a Bachelors from Barnard College; the latter two in the area of chemistry.