Luisa Armijo

Luisa rose from her humble beginnings in the inner-city neighborhoods of Los Angeles, California to become the first person in her family to attend college, earning her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. For more than 35 years as a social worker, community organizer, and activist, Luisa has tirelessly worked to enhance educational opportunities for Native American, migrant, and minority youth throughout the state of California.

She founded California’s first Tribal Library on the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Reservation and served as its Director for more than 15 years. She has partnered with universities throughout California and across the U.S southwest to develop college recruitment programs for Native American and Latino students. Luisa continues her activism by spearheading campaigns and social initiatives to promote higher education in underserved minority communities.