Iliana Ros-Lehtinen

First Latina elected to U.S. Congress, 30-year House career

Biography

Iliana Ros-Lehtinen (born July 15, 1952) is a Cuban-American politician and former U.S. Representative who served Florida's 27th congressional district from 1989 to 2019, making her the first Latina elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Born in Havana, Cuba, she fled to the United States with her family in 1960 during the Cuban Revolution. Ros-Lehtinen became a prominent Republican voice on foreign policy, particularly regarding Cuba and Latin American affairs. She served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and chaired it from 2011 to 2013, where she advocated for human rights and democracy promotion in the Western Hemisphere. Known for her conservative positions on fiscal policy and strong anti-communist stance, she was a trailblazer for Latina representation in Congress. Her three-decade career broke significant barriers for Hispanic women in American politics and inspired countless Latinas to pursue public service. After retiring from Congress, she has remained active in Miami politics and advocacy.

The Name Iliana

Iliana Ros-Lehtinen's prominence as a pioneering Latina politician has increased the visibility of the name Iliana within Hispanic-American communities, where it carries connotations of strength, leadership, and cultural pride.

Quick Facts

Iliana

Greek origin

“A graceful feminine name blending classical and Slavic traditions, Iliana uses the -ana suffix to create a name with both elegance and strength. Popular in Eastern Europe and increasingly in English-speaking regions, Iliana suggests sophistication and resilience without sacrificing femininity.”