Ana Parras

Biography

Ana Parras was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ana has an extensive background in Union/Community organizing from her tenor as President of (Local Union 3242), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. (AFSCME).  She is one of the youngest Union Presidents to be elected at the age of (24 years).  Under her tenor Nueces County was able to obtain Civil Service for County Employees after a long battle with County Commissioners.  Civil Service gave County Employees a right to grieve and be heard.   This change in the law covered three other Texas counties.  Her work with organized Labor emphasized the importance of Civic Engagement. She ran phone banks for the Democratic Party in South Texas for several candidates and she brought her experience to Harris County.  Ana represented her Union as a Delegate to the Coastal Bend Central Labor Council.  In 1992 she became the second youngest Latina National Delegate to the  Democratic National Convention. She moved to Baton Rouge, LA in 1994 and was hired to represent Injured Workers (LIWU).  Her work has been dedicated to uplifting marginalized and affected populations as well as victims.  Ana returned to Houston and co-founded the Injured Workers of Texas.  (IWT).

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Ana served the Harris County Central Labor Council, Under Ceole Speight for (8yrs) in the Political Program and helped develop their political program and database.  During her work for the CLC she was hired by SEIU for their “Mi Familia Vota” campaign to write a Grant for Civic Engagement during the 2002 Gubernatorial Elections. The Civic Engagement campaign employed over 100 youth to help get out the vote during the campaign. Ana has been a long time member of the Gulf Coast Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) for Civic Engagement. Ana is currently serving on the board of the Gulf Coast Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).

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​During the Cesar Chavez high school battle Juan along with Ana jointly founded UCER, Unidos Contra Environmental Racism, which was later renamed Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services.  Ana also has extensive experience as a Legal Assistant for over 14 years. During her work in the legal profession she opened (3) WIC stores for the attorney.  Then went on to co-own a WIC Store “Our First Step” a storefront whose purpose was to remove the stigma of food assistance and serve women who received WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) food and nutrition services. As the Administrator for Tejas she has been able to bring her administrative, organizational skill set to better structure and support Tejas work at both the local, State, and national level.