Bethaida González
Encyclopedia
Bethaida Carmen "Bea" Gonzalez is a Latina politician in Syracuse, New York
. She was the first Latina
elected to the Syracuse School Board (1991) and Common Council (2001), and was a candidate for mayor of Syracuse, New York in 2009.
in 1954 but moved with her family to central New York
when she was three years old. Her migrant farmworker parents moved frequently (González estimates that she attended thirteen elementary schools), but by the time she reached middle school, González’s father had found work in construction and the family settled permanently in Syracuse. The first member of her family to receive a high school diploma, Gonzalez received her B.A. in political science and Latin American studies from SUNY Binghamton and an MPA from Syracuse University
. In 1984, González began working for Syracuse University as an academic advisor; since then, she has held various positions in the university’s administration including interim dean of University College (2004–2007) and dean of the University College (2007–present).
In early 1991, Bea González's service on the mayor's Latino Task Force drew the attention of Mayor Thomas Young
, who nominated González to the school board after the board’s president resigned. The first Hispanic to hold a citywide position, González was elected to the board later that year, becoming the first Latina elected to a citywide office in Syracuse. González served as a school board member until 1994. After a hiatus from politics to focus on raising her son, she reentered politics in July 2001 when she was selected to fill the vacant position of Syracuse Common Council president, becoming the first Latina to serve on the Common Council. González narrowly won a four-year term as council president in November 2001, and was reelected to her second and final term in 2005.
. She withdrew from the race in March 2009, citing her mother's continuing health problems.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. She was the first Latina
Latina
Latina is the feminine form of the term Latino.Latina may also refer to:*Province of Latina, a province in Latium , Italy**Latina, Lazio, the capital of the province of Latina**Latina Nuclear Power Plant*Latina , a district of Madrid...
elected to the Syracuse School Board (1991) and Common Council (2001), and was a candidate for mayor of Syracuse, New York in 2009.
Childhood and education
Bea González was born in Cayey, Puerto RicoCayey, Puerto Rico
Cayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo...
in 1954 but moved with her family to central New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
when she was three years old. Her migrant farmworker parents moved frequently (González estimates that she attended thirteen elementary schools), but by the time she reached middle school, González’s father had found work in construction and the family settled permanently in Syracuse. The first member of her family to receive a high school diploma, Gonzalez received her B.A. in political science and Latin American studies from SUNY Binghamton and an MPA from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. In 1984, González began working for Syracuse University as an academic advisor; since then, she has held various positions in the university’s administration including interim dean of University College (2004–2007) and dean of the University College (2007–present).
Community service and politics
Bea González became active in community and Latino politics in the 1980s; by the early 1990s, education had also become a priority. She participated in local committees and wards and was a member of the Association of Neighbors for Latino Advancement (ANCLA), Spanish Action League, and Latinos Concerned for Latino Advancement. In 1990, González served on the mayor’s Latino Task Force and the Minority Affairs Advisory Council for the city of Syracuse. More recently, she co-founded the Onondaga Latino Caucus.In early 1991, Bea González's service on the mayor's Latino Task Force drew the attention of Mayor Thomas Young
Thomas Young
Thomas Young may refer to:*Thomas Young , Scottish Presbyterian and author*Thomas Young , member of the Sons of Liberty*Thomas Young , British polymath, scientist and Egyptologist...
, who nominated González to the school board after the board’s president resigned. The first Hispanic to hold a citywide position, González was elected to the board later that year, becoming the first Latina elected to a citywide office in Syracuse. González served as a school board member until 1994. After a hiatus from politics to focus on raising her son, she reentered politics in July 2001 when she was selected to fill the vacant position of Syracuse Common Council president, becoming the first Latina to serve on the Common Council. González narrowly won a four-year term as council president in November 2001, and was reelected to her second and final term in 2005.
Candidacy for mayor of Syracuse
In October 2008, Gonzalez announced her candidacy for mayor of Syracuse in the 2009 election cycleSyracuse mayoral election, 2009
The 2009 Syracuse mayoral election was held on November 3, 2009. The incumbent mayor, Democrat Matt Driscoll, was term limited. Democrat Stephanie Miner defeated Republican Steve Kimatian, 50%-39%, and Conservative Party of New York candidate Otis Jennings finished a distant 3rd, with 10% of the vote...
. She withdrew from the race in March 2009, citing her mother's continuing health problems.
Sources
- Bea Gonzalez Papers, Syracuse University
- Bethaida González Papers, 1970-2002. Accn. #2003.446. Onondaga Historical Association, Syracuse, NY.
- Bea Gonzalez Common Council website