Leadership in Community with Vivian Huelgo and Patricia Torres Ray

At Esperanza United, we know no single organization or person is going to end gender-based violence alone – it will take communities, working together. That’s why Latina leadership and community-based solutions are two of our organizational values. 

To advance this strengths-based approach, Esperanza United President and CEO Vivian Huelgo, J.D. is interviewing leaders across the fields of gender-based violence prevention and Latin@ empowerment and beyond. Read on to learn leadership lessons, celebrate the people doing the work, and share in our gratitude for our vibrant community. 

In this edition, Vivian speaks with Patricia Torres Ray, the first Latina elected to the Minnesota Senate and a community leader who has devoted an impressive 35 years of public service to our state. Pues, vamos: 

Vivian Huelgo: Hello PTR. I’m so glad you’re participating in “Leadership in Community” with me today. As you may know, one of our organizational values at Esperanza United is Latina leadership. What does (Latina) leadership mean to you? 

Patricia Torres Ray: For me leadership means the ability to use our talents, our presence, our resources and our influence to take actions that will benefit our community, open paths of opportunity for others, and help protect the planet.  

Vivian Huelgo: Who inspired your leadership journey and how did they shape you? 

Patricia Torres Ray: My leadership journey has been profoundly influenced by child protection workers engaged in advocacy to address economic, social, and racial inequalities in Minnesota. Their mentorship helped me get a deeper understanding of the historical context and complexity of challenges faced by Indigenous, Black, and other communities of color.  

As a new immigrant, I initially lacked the training and foundational understanding of the historical inequities impacting people of color in this country. Through their guidance, I came to realize that while Minnesota boasts high overall quality-of-life indicators, a closer examination unveils a starkly different reality, marked by entrenched inequalities that continue to shape opportunities and outcomes for these communities. 

Vivian Huelgo: I appreciate that about you. Tell me – how do you stay innovative and motivated in your work?  

Patricia Torres Ray: I actively connect with those on the front lines, immersing myself in the heart of the community without waiting for an invitation. The urgency of the current political moment is compelling me to dedicate more time to participating in acts of resistance and meaningful actions at the local level. 

Engaging with passionate young individuals involved in social justice inspire me. Their resilience, especially among those without legal status, is a testament to the relentless fight for fundamental human rights.  

Vivian Huelgo: That’s very true. What is a lesson you learned recently that surprised you?  

Patricia Torres Ray: I was sad, and quite frankly surprised, to learn that while many immigrants who arrive in this country with limited means have made remarkable progress, that this newfound success seems to be fostering a growing negative opinion about other new immigrants. 

It’s quite shocking to me to learn that a proportion of immigrants are against additional people coming to this country. Instead of generosity, they’re motivated by a wish to protect the limited opportunities they’ve been afforded in this country. 

Vivian Huelgo: Gratitude is so important: Tell me about something you are grateful for? 

Patricia Torres Ray: I am incredibly thankful for my family and the deep connections I’ve forged within my community in Minnesota. As an immigrant, the journey of building a supportive community upon my arrival was both challenging and rewarding. The caring network of people around me inspires me every day, and I hold immense gratitude for the bonds we’ve created together. 

More about Patricia Torres Ray 

Patricia Torres Ray, affectionately known as “La Senadora” or “PTR” by those who have closely collaborated with her, has devoted an impressive 35 years of public service to our State.   

Originally from Colombia, she moved to Minnesota in the mid-1980s after marrying her husband, Jack Ray. She initially worked in demanding factory jobs but soon shifted her focus toward mastering the English language and connecting with people in her new country. During this transformative period, she established close relationships with Indigenous, Black, and Latina social workers who were at the forefront of the family preservation movement in Minnesota. Patricia credits her professional successes and her passion for social justice to the mentorship she received from these social workers, who embraced and mentored her.  

After volunteering in numerous jobs, including the Guardian Ad-litem program in Hennepin County, Patricia was hired as the first Ombudsperson for Families in the State. She was a key advocate for the creation of this office to safeguard the rights of children in the child protection system. After serving for seven years in this crucial role, she was hired by the Department of Human Services to spearhead the Children of Color Initiative, where she worked to integrate cultural competence and social justice into social services, juvenile justice, and early childhood education.  

In 2006, she ran for office and became the first Latina elected to the Minnesota Senate. During her tenure, Patricia emerged as a powerful advocate for policies aimed at addressing inequality, authoring and co-authoring numerous bills related to health care, education, housing, the environment, transportation, and economic development to uplift and protect minorities across the state.  

La Senadora took on various leadership positions within the Senate, including Majority Whip, Chair of the Parks and Trails Legacy Committee, Chair of the New Immigration Policy Commission, Chair of the Education Policy Committee, and Chair of the State and Local Government Committee.  

She made history as the first woman of color to run for Lieutenant Governor alongside Senator John Marty in the gubernatorial race. She also founded the National Latinas Lead Academy through the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, playing a pivotal role in supporting and mentoring numerous Latinos and Latinas in their leadership journeys.  

Patricia is a recognized leader both locally and nationally, having received multiple awards for her dedication to dismantling disparities and creating opportunities for women, immigrants, and marginalized communities. Among her honors is the prestigious Joan and Walter Mondale Leadership Award.  

Last year Patricia decided not to run for re-election after serving in the senate for 16 years and opened her own firm, PTR Associates, to assist small organizations in managing political and public policy strategies centered around the needs and assets of Indigenous communities, people of color and immigrant communities.  

She is a Public Affairs graduate from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a parent of two beautiful boys, Tomas and Patrick.