Lupe Torres

National Vice President for Women

Lupe Torres began her career as a grant writer for a Community Development Corporation in San Antonio (MAUC) which enabled her to bring much needed federal funds to the community in the areas of economic development, housing, manpower and social service programs.

She was a member of the Congress of Community Development Corporations (CDC) in Washington DC and traveled extensively to Washington D.C., New York, and other places seeking funds from foundations, private corporations, and the federal government in the late seventies.

Retired from the Mental Health Authority of Bexar County after 35 years of service as Director of Development, Housing and Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Outreach. She helped develop residential programs for persons with mental disabilities and grants for supportive programs enabling persons with disabilities to live productive and independent lives.

Was appointed to the San Antonio Housing Authority Board where she served as the first Hispanic woman Chairman for five consecutive terms. In this capacity she helped found the Our Casas Resident Council, a non-profit organization to help public housing residents and other low income persons become “first time home buyers” She was also selected to serve as one of the first board members of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) serving with national leaders from throughout the United States bringing issues of Hispanic America to the forefront.

Other “firsts” in her community service include: First Hispanic woman appointed to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in Dallas by former HUD Secretary, Jack Kemp; first woman chairman of the National LULAC Housing Board and first Regional Hispanic women President for Commissioners of the National Association of Housing ad Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). She also served as Chairman of the Bexar County Housing Authority and as a commissioner for ten years helping expand affordable housing throughout the County of Bexar. Awarded the LULAC “State Director of the Year” at the National Convention in Phoenix - 2018