About Anita DePalma

Anita de Palma was a concert pianist at 10 years of age and a Broadway performer at the age of 12.  By the time she was 20 she had performed the world over.

At 21, Anita became an activist for civil rights, the rights of women and the empowerment of Hispanics-- involving herself in Hispanic matters when she became the official speech maker in the ethnic neighborhoods of New York, and eventually an  official hostess for Adlai Stevenson and then Governor Lehman.

Her concern for the plight of Hispanics followed her to Florida where she became the only woman appointed as a permanent member of the bi-racial coalition committee by then Governor Graham.

Anita has many awards... she is proud to have been the first Hispanic to have won the New York State Oratorical Championship, has won the Golden Image award for journalism, and in 2002 was named to LULAC Women’s Hall of Fame, and was awarded "Mentor of the Year" award for service to seniors.

She was also a driving force in setting up and funding reading programs for adults and disadvantaged school children, and in introducing the establishment of domestic violence safe houses in Florida.

As a recognized speaker on Hispanic affairs throughout Florida, Anita was the only Hispanic called to testify before the US Senate Committee on Medicare, and the medical insurance problems of Hispanics in 2007.

Anita has served 4 terms as LULAC Florida State Director, is currently Chair of Senator Bill Nelson’s Air Force Academy Appointment Committee, is a Commissioner of  the LULAC National Housing Commission, and is currently a candidate for Congress Member from Florida, House District 9, covering precincts in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties.