COMMUNITY SESSIONS
Patanjali de la Rocha
Valderrama
KRIS
State Delegate - Deputy Majority Leader Maryland House of Delegates / Maryland General Assembly
FAMILY ORIGIN | Pangasinan + Laguna
EDUCATION | Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy - Salisbury University
AWARDS + ACCOLADES | GLOBAL Filipino Women's Network 100 Most Influential Women 2013 /
USA Filipina Women's Network 100 Most Influential Women 2007 Community Foundation's 2022 Wayne K. Curry Award for Leadership & Public Service Women’s Law Center of Maryland – Dorothy Beatty Memorial Award 2022 & 2011 Legislator of the Year Award, Steamfitters Local 602
ORGANIZATIONS | Chair, National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators Board of Directors, Maryland Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation
Board of Directors, Family Matters of Greater Washington, Inc.
Chair, Fund Development Advisory Committee Prince George’s County Local Development Council / Governor’s Council on Family Violence Prevention / Maryland State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision / Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board / National Conference of State Legislatures, Labor and Economic Development Committee
YOUR WORD IS YOUR BOND.
While I was not born in the Philippines,
I PROUDLY EMBRACE MY IDENTITY AS A FILIPINA AMERCIAN.
I consider it a badge of honor, given the historical experiences of immigration, discrimination, and cultural adjustment that Filipinos in America have faced, fostering a strong sense of resilience and adaptability.
My parents personally endured and overcame these challenges, which I believe made them stronger individuals, especially as Americans. I feel their experience has been passed on to me, enabling me to adapt and thrive in a diverse world.
