Family, friends gather to honor former Rep. Phyllis Gutirrez Kenney at memorial

Over 300 people gathered at The Mountaineers Club in Seattle on June 28 to honor former State Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, who passed away in May. Family members praised her unwavering commitment to raising eight children while advocating for community issues. State Sen. Javier Valdez shared how Kenney encouraged him to testify for a bill benefiting undocumented students, showcasing her leadership.

Serving from 1997 to 2013, Kenney focused on education and community development, addressing the needs of historically marginalized communities. Civic leader Wally Webster reflected on their early friendship, emphasizing Kenney's courage and determination to fight for farm workers' rights. Kenney's candidacy for Washington Secretary of State in 1996 marked her as one of the few Latinos in politics at the time. Valdez noted that the Latino community in Washington has made significant progress since Kenney's tenure. Her legacy serves as an inspiration for future generations to continue advocating for equality and justice.