The National Partnership for Women & Families, one of the nation’s most effective advocates for fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family, announced today that senior congressional veteran staffer Leticia Mederos has joined the organization. Mederos will serve as vice president, responsible for strategic direction and oversight of the National Partnership’s workplace fairness and work and family programs.

Prior to joining the National Partnership, Mederos served in the office of Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.) for almost ten years, most recently as chief of staff. Rep. DeLauro is a senior member of the House Democratic leadership; ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; and a longtime leader on issues affecting women and families. As her chief of staff, Mederos managed all activities related to Rep. DeLauro’s leadership and committee responsibilities. Mederos has worked directly on legislation affecting women’s economic security and the well-being of working families, including the Paycheck Fairness Act, the Healthy Families Act, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was the first major piece of legislation President Obama signed into law.

Mederos served as senior legislative assistant to former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek (D-Fla.) from 1999 to 2002, and as a legislative assistant for Congressman Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) before that.

“We are elated that Leticia Mederos has joined our team,” said National Partnership President Debra L. Ness. “As the nation focuses on rebuilding the economy and helping working families get back on track, increasing access to family friendly policies and strengthening anti-discrimination measures are critical. Letty has an extraordinary commitment to these issues and real knowledge about how to get things done in Congress. She is universally respected, and will be invaluable to our efforts to ensure that all workers are treated fairly and have the workplace supports they need to achieve economic security.”

Mederos has a master’s degree in American history from Rutgers University with a specialization in 19th century women’s history. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in history and social work from Florida International University.

Since its founding in 1971, the National Partnership for Women & Families has been championing the rights of working women and men. From outlawing sexual harassment to prohibiting pregnancy discrimination to giving 100 million Americans family and medical leave, the organization has fought for every major policy advance that has helped women and families in the last three decades.

Mederos joins two vice presidents already in place: Christine Bechtel and Kirsten Sloan.