NYC funeral set for Latina political pioneer
NEW YORK - NEW YORK (AP) — A funeral is being held Monday for former New York state Sen. Olga Mendez. She was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to a state legislature in the mainland United States.
Mendez died Wednesday at her East Harlem home. She was 84. She had been diagnosed with cancer.
The private funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Holy Agony in Manhattan. She will be buried in the Bronx.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson are scheduled to attend.
Mendez was a state senator from 1978 to 2004. She wielded tremendous political influence in the Hispanic community and beyond.
Mendez lost her seat after switching parties, from Democrat to Republican.
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