Norma Torres
Mayor of Pomona, California

10 March 2008: Norma Torres was born in Guatemala and arrived in the US aged five. Norma began her active role in city government while working with the Los Angeles Police Department as a 911 Dispatcher. After experiencing a tragic 911 call, Norma worked with the Los Angeles City Council to improve the quality of services provided to non-English speakers. As a result, the 911 call center received funds to improve the dispatch center by including bilingual staff.

Since becoming elected to Pomona City Council in November 2000, Norma has spearheaded various initiatives and projects to combat crime and improve the quality of life in Pomona. She helped form the Neighbors for Pomona Committee, which is dedicated to reducing crime and other vices in Pomona neighborhoods. Norma has also been instrumental in advocating an initiative to reduce the number of sex offenders living in the Pomona community. Norma was elected to serve a second term as council member for district six in November 2004. After serving as council member since 2000, Norma Torres began a new chapter in her public service career when sworn in as Pomona’s first Latina mayor in February 2006, having been elected in January ahead of 11 other candidates.

In her new role as mayor, Norma intends to continue working with all city departments and constituents toward improving the image of the city while enforcing a zero tolerance policy against gangs, drugs, and violence. Norma actively serves on the Board of the Pomona Valley Transportation Authority, Tri-City Mental Health Board, Fairplex Blue Ribbon Committee, and is the elected Treasurer for the Executive Committee of National Conference of Democratic Mayors. She is also one of the state of California’s 66 ‘Superdelegates’ to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and is on record as backing Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

Norma and her husband, Louis, have been married for 20 years and have three children, Robert, Christopher and Matthew.