Lourdes E. Montalvo was born in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. She graduated from Windham High School in Connecticut.

Lourdes E. Montalvo has over 16 years experience as a community activist and organizer throughout the state of Connecticut. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Julia de Burgos Park located in the corner of Jackson and Poet Corner in Willimantic. Lourdes was responsible for introducing the living wage and charter revisions ordinances while serving on the Board of Selectmen for the town of Windham as part of her work on behalf of the Hispanic community. She advocated against English Only legislation and for fair redistricting. At the University of Connecticut she was an avid advocate and effective negotiator as a union steward when working for the CEUI. She is known for her hard work, her commitment and caring which helped her gain the respect of her peers, colleagues and many of her constituency.

Lourdes E. Montalvo presently works full time as a Community Educator/outreach worker, HIV/Drug treatment advocate for Perceptions Programs, Inc. Since 2006 to the present she has also been working part-time as a Bilingual Adult Client Advocate/Case Manager, providing domestic violence and sexual assault counseling. In the past Ms. Montalvo worked as a Nurturing Families support worker where she assumed the broad role of teacher, supporter, advocate, child development specialist and liaison to the larger community. She helped provide understanding of child abuse and neglect issues.

In 2006, she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in: Sociology and Applied Social Relations.  Related studies included: Latin America Studies and Culture, with study abroad in Cuba to learn about political welfare and structure. She conducted a study on the possible connection between Latino students’ family environment and educational behavior among other studies. In 2004-2006, she was part of the organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) at Eastern Connecticut State University. She provided community service, mentored High School Students and fundraised.

In 2010 State Senator Donald E. Williams, President Pro Tempore appointed Ms. Montalvo to the Commission.

v      Since 2010 to the present, she has been serving as a Commissioner for the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission. She is a member of the Special Projects Committee, the ad hoc committee on By-Laws, and serves on the Priority and Legislation Committee.  

v      From 2006 to 2008, she was a Legislator Liaison for the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV).  

v      In 2006, she served as a University of Connecticut Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct interpreter.